Pacific Islands Monthly - 1 December 1949

General Fall of Ten Per Cent Likely in Coming Year

THE free market price of first class copra has been varying between £6O and £7O stg. per ton cif, European ports.

Philippines copra, during the past three months, has ranged between 170 and 185 US dollars, per ton, cif., European ports.

Indications are that there is a slight easing in the world price of copra, and it is expected that the 1950 guaranteed price of the British Ministry of Food—which regulates the market now in all British and Australian Pacific Territories— will be down about 10 per cent, on the 1949 figure, which was around £4B Stg. per ton, on wharf, Island port,—equal to £54 Fijian, and £6O Australian. With local Governmental deductions, this has worked out at about £49 per ton Fijian, and £4B per ton Australian in the pockets of producers.

As there is a change of Government in Australia, Papua-New Guinea copra producers should make a strong appeal to Canberra to forego some of the heavy and, as yet, unjustified deductions made by Canberra from the British-guaranteed price—deductions equal to at least £l2 Australian per ton. Papua-New Guinea planters in 1950 should get another £4 or £5 per ton from the Australian Govern mental authority, and this would suffice to take care of the expected reduction of 10 per cent, in the British-guaranteed price.

PLANTERS also should make a de termined effort to obtain something official from Canberra about the so-called Stabilisation Fund. There must now be a huge sum there —some estimates ex ceed £500,000 —and it belongs to the planters, who have contributed to it at the rate of from £5 to £8 per ton.

Socialist Minister Ward has stubbornly refused to give any information to the planters about what is actually their own money; but a non-Socialist Minister will not be actuated by hatred of private enterprise and profit, and will give reasonable information about the Fund.

There has been no need of a Stabilisation Fund since Britain gave the 9-years’ guarantee, at the end of 1948.

Some planters expect that the Stabili sation Fund will be distributed among planters, in proportion to their tonnage contribution to the Production Control Board. Others favour the idea that, if and when copra prices fall below a designated figure, the fund should be used

to give producers a bonus of so much per ton of copra supplied. But whatever system is favoured, it is only fair and just that there should be some indication

of policy.

Mr. Ward’s system, of simply grabbing so much per ton from the planters, and hiding it away, without any indication of plan or purpose, is completely typical of Socialism, where the State is the ruthless dictator, and the individual does not matter.

There are indications that the Papua- New Guinea Production Control Board is being prepared for winding-up. Accord ing to Mr. Ward, that was to have taken place a year ago. But, after December 10, the removal of that particular limb of bureaucracy may be somewhat hastened.

Copra

Uk Offer For 1950

Fiji and Ceylon Negotiations

THE British Ministry of Food has offered £45 sterling for Fiji copra during 1950. This represents a reduction on the present price (£4Bstg.) of 6.2 per cent.

Under the Copra Purchasing Agreement the price has to be negotiated annually and must not be more than 10 per cent, higher or lower than the price paid the previous year.

The UK Ministry of Food has copra agreements with Papua-New Guinea, Cey lon, Western Samoa, some WPHC terri tories as well as Fiji. The price fixed for one territory will naturally affect the purchasing price in any of the others.

The Fiji Copra Board, which announced the UK offer on November 16, made this statement: — The chairman of the Fiji Copra Board, Mr. C, Harvey (Fiji Director of Agriculture), is in London in connec tion with the Sugar Conference and will take the opportunity during this visit of inquiring into the state of the copra market and of opening up discussions with the British Ministry of Food on the new price offer. No decision, of course, will be reached until the Fiji Board has had an opportunity of con sidering Mr. Harvey’s report.

It is understood that negotiations for the 1950 prices are now taking place between the British Ministry of Food and Ceylon and it is considered that the outcome of these discussions will reflect more clearly the present trend in world copra prices and assist the Board in its deliberations.

Cars From China

Some Late Models Arrive in Rabaul

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul. Dee. 1.

AT left, recorded by the camera of C. H. Meen, in Rabaul, is what is believed to be an interesting result of the far-reaching disturbances in China. It is reported that many wealthy Chinese are leaving the country, and their cars—usually very fine machines— are being sold. When the Citos arrived in Rabaul recently she unloaded seven American cars from China —two of them Chevrolet De Luxe 1949 models. These cars have been bought by members of the New Guinea Chinese community—and more are expected in the near future.

‘Pay Back’

Mr. Fadden Has Not Forgotten Mr. Wilson

AN adherence to the ancient Islands principle of “Pay Back” was indicated in a statement, during the Australian election campaign, by Mr. Fadden, leader of the Country Party.

In a speech on November 28, in reply to an interjection, Mr. Fadden said that the Fadden Government was defeated in 1941 because two “Independents,”’ Messrs.

A. Wilson and A. W. Coles, supported the Labour Party and put a Socialist Govern ment into office. The Socialists had re warded Mr. Wilson with the Administra torship of Norfolk Island, and Mr, Coles with ohe chairmanship of the Airlines Commission.

Mr. Fadden said that if there was to be a Liberal-Country Party Government, those two men would be dismissed.

Effect Of Nz Election On

W. Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Dec. 1

IT is not expected that the change of government in New Zealand will cause any notable changes here. Labour was responsible for the creation of our Legislative Assembly, as a first definite steo towards self-government; but the National Party is pledged to continue the Labour policy in relation to Western Samoa.

The High Commissioner, Mr. G. R.

Powles, will leave in January for con sultations with the new Government in Wellington.

We were particularly interested in the election of Mr. F. A. L. Goetz, who won the Otahuhu seat for the National Party.

Mr. Goetz was for many years manager in Western Samoa of the NZ Reparation Estates.

Ng Memorial Scholarship

Letter to the Editor I WAS interested to read that the New Guinea Womens’ Club of Sydney, at an extraordinary general meeting, had decided against participating in exten sion of the New Guinea Memorial Scholarship Appeal to New South Wales.

It should be known that the originators of the Memorial Scholarship Fund in Melbourne are quite hanpy in the result of their efforts and are not appealing for more funds. A Memorial Scholar ship has been established and will be for all time a reminder to all who benefit from it of the men it honours.

To use a colloquialism, it would be a pity to “flog a tired horse” and try to extract more donations from the very generous folk who supported the appeal

previously.

In 1950, four children will be benefiting from the fund.

I am etc.

Clare May

Eltham, Vic., 28/11/1949

Samoa’S Cocoa Crop

IT was reported from Apia on December 1 that cocoa beans were selling at from £lBO to £195 Sterling per ton, f.0.b., Apia. The new crop is satisfactory in volume and quality.

Papua-New Guinea

p. 10

Migrant Doctors For

40 Men to Reinforce the

Medical Services

SEVEN “New Australians” (European migrants) who hold European medical degrees, which are not re cognised as yet in Australia, are either on their way to Papua and New Guinea, as officially-appointed medical officers, or they soon will be. They will be followed at an early date by others, until about 40 will be employed in the Australian Terri tories as medical officers.

Behind this arrangement there is evi dence of the bitter war that has been going on between the Australian Socialist Government, which has tried to nationalise medicine in Australia, and the British Medical Association doctors, who have resisted the plan successfully, and refused all co-operation. It was an im portant issue in the Australian general election, on December 10.

Details of the plan, and an indication of the background, were given in a state ment made in the Australian Parliament on October 27 by Minister Calwell (Immi gration). The following is the official (Hansard) report: “Mr. Edmonds: Has the attention of the Minister for Immigration been drawn to the reported shortage of medical staff in Papua-New Guinea? If so. will the Minister state whether any steps have been taken to alleviate that shortage by the appointment of suitably qualified per sons from among the new Australians who are being brought to this country.

“Mr. Calwell: I am aware of the needs of the medical services in Papua-New Guinea. The question relates to a subject which has been referred to on both sides of the House for some time past, which is, the necessity to use the services of new Australians to the greatest possible, de gree in conformity with their attainments, aptitudes and qualifications.

“But in order that persons with medical degrees from European universities, who are nationals of countries with which Australia has no reciprocal agreement for the recognition of such degrees, may prac tise, it is necessary that they should be come registered under State laws. There is no disposition on the part of some State authorities to grant such recogni tion, but this Parliament has power un der the Australian Constitution to regis ter such medical practitioners in terri tories of the Commonwealth such as Papua-New Guinea, the Australian Capi tal Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island.

“The Department of Immigration has received requests from the Department .of External Territories for the services of a number of doctors. Dr. Gunther, who is chief of the medical services in Panua- New Guinea, has been in consultation with officers of my department about this matter.

“I think that about 40 doctors amongst the new Australians have been examined, and some have already been selected by Dr Gunther. Those who have had medi cal experience in Europe and who have satisfied Dr. Gunther’s requirements are to go td Papua-New Guinea as soon as possible. They number six and will be registered as medical practitioners in Papua-New Guinea and will attend to the needs of the natives of the territory.

The Minister for External Territories has been most anxious that the health of the natives should not suffer.

“The Government has tried in England.

Australia and in fact everywhere, to get

doctors to go to Papua-New Guinea, but has met with no success.

“It is hoped that ultimately all of the 40 individuals who I have mentioned will be appointed to practise in New Guinea.

I believe that such appointments will have some influence upon the attitude of the British Medical Association and the State medical boards on the question of afford ing recognition to university degrees in medicine and other branches of science held by these new Australians.

“The men who are to be appointed are all single men and will attend an orienta tion course at the Australian School of Pacific Administration, at Mosman, Syd ney, prior to proceeding to the Territory.

They will be registered for medical prac tice in the territory of Papua-New Guinea when they arrive in that territory.”

It was officially announced on Decem ber 3 that seven “migrant doctors” had been appointed; that practice in the ter ritory would not automatically guarantee them the right of private practice in Aus tralia; and that some of them intended to save most of their income to return to the mainland and attend a university to qualify for admittance to medical prac tice in the Commonwealth.

Two Years’ Indenture?

Letter to the Editor I'IHE arrival of 15 medical practitioners from Europe, to be followed later by a further 15, is announced by the Department of Public Health.

Will these gentlemen be under a two years’ indenture, as is the case with thousands of European migrants in Aus tralia?

If so, full particulars should be gazetted concerning their ration scale, hours of work, etc.; and an official explanation given as to why two years’ indenture is too long for a Papuan, but not for a European.

The matter should be taken up at once by the Rev. Dr. Burton, Professor Elkin, and similar critics of indenture.

I am, etc.,

G. T. Gemmell.

Mariboi Estate, Papua.

New Guinea Women’S Club

p. 10

Sydney

FURTHER donations towards the cost of the Children’s Party were received by the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney in November-December.

The children’s party will be held on De cember 19 and adults’ party on December 22 at 6.30 p.m.

Mr. E. J. W. Browne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Browne, of Suva, Fiji, was killed in a motor cycle accident in Nov ember, in Auckland, NZ?, He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force last year and at the time of his death was a machinist at the Hobsonville base. He was 20.

Previously acknowledged £26 3 6 Mrs. C. Helton 2 2 0 Mr. A. J. Gaskin 2 2 0 Cosmopolitan Trading Co., Rabaul 3 3 0 Mrs. W. Vallentine 1 1 0 Miss D. Stewart 1 1 0 Mrs. U. Adams 3 18 0 A. W. Anderson Pty.. Ltd 1 1 0 Robert Gillespie 5 5 0 Lady McNicoll (2nd don.) .. 1 1 0 Mr. & Mrs, Wauchope 2 2 0 Mrs. Parry 6 0 Mrs. Hopkins in 0 Mrs. D. Booth 5 0 0 Total £54 15 6

Fiji’S Gold Mines

p. 10

Big Profits—And Very Big Taxes

IN the year ended June 30 last, the Em peror and Loloma gold-mines, in the Tavua district of Fiji, won just on £1,000,000 worth of gold, thus maintaining most satisfactorily Fiji’s third big in dustry—the other two, of course, being sugar and copra production.

The following table shows what ,the mines actually accomplished:—

Ever since the courage and enterprise of a Melbourne group, headed by John Wren and E. G. Theodore, established this rich industry on an ore that had been sneered at by most of the experts, the Companies have had a raw deal from tax-hungry governments—especially in the post-war, or Socialist, era.

In Australia, the profits of Australian gold-mines are free of income tax —as they should be, considering the enterprise needed to find gold, the risks taken, and the way in which the producers are mulcted in royalties, and so forth. But in Fiji the mines get no such concession —they are heavily taxed. Yet in recent years, the companies could not transfer their profits (already taxed) from Fiji to Australia, because Australia simply classi fied them as “oversea companies,” and insisted that their dividends were subject to a fearful slug. So the Directors, for years, wisely kept their profits, undivided, in Fiji.

Some of those profits were ear-marked for a scientific search for gold in Guadal canal, in the Solomons, where there are encouraging prospects. But when the new British Socialist set-up announced that, in the event of gold being found in the Solomons, the State would participate heavily in the returns, the directors simply closed down their Solomons enterprise, and cut their losses.

Now comes the third set-back. The Fiji Government already imposes an income tax on the companies, equal to 6/3 in the £; and the new system of calculating royalty rates imposed on the gold ex ported means that the gold-mines will be paying out in direct taxation no less than 50 per cent, of their gross income.

It is described in Australia as “a ludi crous situation, and it means that the gold industry, despite the comparative richness of the field, will be forced out of the Colony.”

The Emperor and Loloma Companies have been very good for Fiji, in an econo mic and social sense. They employ large numbers of Fijian and half-caste people, and they have taken pride in organising and establishing model villages and amenities for both those communities.

“The Fiji Government tries to tax us as if we were South African mining com panies,” said a manager to a PIM visitor, not long ago. “I bet they never saw model workmen’s villages like these around any African mine.”

The* accounts show that the company expect that, in this financial year, Loloma will pay £48,255 and Emperor £37,406 in taxation, to the Fiji Government.

Because of shortage of European miners and lack of ore, the crushing mill at the Cuthbert mine on Misima Island. Papua, ran only ten days in the period ended November 23. 250 tons were crushed, for 43 oz. of gold and 41 of silver.

Gold Won Profit Oz. Value (£F) £ (A) Emperor, 1948 55,417 588,494 56,>637 1949 59,241 574,255 76.202 Loloma, 1948 29,042 88.839 1949 29,781? 128.083

Trout For N. Guinea

“Operation Flying Fish”

ANEW experiment in air transportation was made at the end of Novem ber by Qantas Empire Airways, who flew 20,000 live trout to New Guinea. The aircraft, chartered by Mr, E. J. Hallstrom, took the fish to his Experimental Station at Nondugl, in the Highlands of New Guinea.

In order to keep the fish alive during the flight Qantas equipped a DC3 air freighter with special equipment driven by electric motors. A series of four special pumps provided continuous aeration of water, both in the air and on the ground.

The fish were carried in 18 five-gallon tanks, to which the air was supplied by special nylon hoses, each pump supplying nine cans with approximately four cubic feet of air per hour. Special diffusers in each can broke up the air supply to emit a fine stream of bubbles.

As an added precaution special air cy linders were carried to allow instant re placement of air should a pump failure occur. A control panel was installed in the aircraft to show warning lights in case of electric supply failure.

The fish arrived at Mascot, Sydney, from the Central Acclimatisation Society Hatcheries at Oberon at 9 p.m., and the aircraft departed at 9.30 p.m. on a non stop flight to Townsville. A supply of ice was available at Townsville for use should the water rise above the danger point of 70 degrees.

Well-known philanthropist E. J. Hall strom, who has already successfully de monstrated the transport of sheep by air, hopes that in a few years’ time the trout will add tourist value to the Highlands of New Guinea. Mr. Hallstrom’s son and a fisheries expert were in constant at tendance on the consignment. The fish were liberated in the mountain streams at Nondugl less than 24 hours after leaving Sydney.

Qantas Extend Ng Service

Qantas Empire Airways Have Ex

tended their internal air services in New Guinea to link Wewak, on the north-east mainland coast, direct with Rabaul.

Before the war Wewak, which had some importance as the port for the Sepik gold fields and the oil search that was being undertaken in the district, was on the main route of Burns Philp’s Sydney-New Guinea service. Although two BP ships have been back on the run for over two years, Wewak is no longer a port of call.

Communication with the rest of the Terri tory is maintained by small aircraft owned by private companies, and the small Government-owned inter-island ships which call at irregular intervals.

The new air service which will be operated by DCS aircraft should be of much benefit to local residents as well as to recruiters from New Britain. The We wak-Aitape hinterland is still one of the most fruitful fields of plantation labour, although it is not unusual these days for recruits to have to wait three months on the beach before transport to Rabaul can be arranged by ship.

The new QEA service leaves Lae every Wednesday morning. It calls at Madang and Wewak and then flies on to Rabaul.

It returns to Lae, direct, each Thursday.

Kokoda Trail Route

IN November Qantas opened another Papuan service from Port to Kokoda and Popendetta and return.

The route closely follows the Kokoda trail.

Impertinent Flan for Mass Migration

No Japs Are Wanted Here

Impertinent Flan for Mass Migration to South Pacific Lands

RICHARD HUGHES, who is a special correspondent in Tokio for the Syd ney Sun and Melbourne Herald, says that Japan hopes, with United Nation’s blessing, to be able to move five million of its people into the “empty Pacific lands” in the first five years after any peace treaty is signed.

Much has been said in the past 12 months of the Japanese leaders’ aspira tions in respect of Pacific migration. In the past, however, the common Japanese man or woman has shown a notorious re luctance to migrate. Before the war there were more avenues of migration open to them than there are now—the .Asian mainland, the Marianas, Carolines and Marshalls, etc. The great majority of Japanese preferred to stay on the over crowded homeland. As mentioned in the following article there is, even to-day, immediate room for six million Japs in their own largely unsettled northern-most island of Hokkaido.

It is an undeniable fact that the popu lation of Japan has increased by about 10 million in as many years and the re sults of this have yet to be seen. There are two schools of thought as far as “population pressure” are concerned. It has not yet been proved, however, that over-population alone will turn a naturally stay-at-home race into a pioneering, migrating one.

There may be approval of Jap leaders’ migration plans from some Asiatic rep resentatives of UN, But there are signs of returning political sanity in the Wes tern Democracies and in five years from now we can confidently expect that the starry-eyed theorists who have been in the ascendancy since the war will no longer represent us at UN.

Despite General MacArthur’s apparent change of heart, recently-arranged British Empire trade pacts with Japan and other indications that we are now expected to forgive our bestial enemy of four short years ago, there is not a European in the South Pacific, whatever his political beliefs, who will countenance Jap migra tion in this direction. If South America wants them, as has been indicated, let them go there. They are not wanted here.

Hughes’ article follows for the infor mation of readers.

Migrant Plan for Millions

JAPAN hopes, with United Nations ap proval, to move five million migrants into empty South Pacific lands in the first five years after any peace treaty is signed.

In addition, her leaders propose boldly to use Japan’s ever soaring birth-rate as an economic weapon on the world’s markets.

These aims are thinly masked in the long-awaited report submitted by the Japanese Population Council to Prime Minister Yoshida recently.

Following five months’ deliberation, the council of hand-picked experts has at last presented a series of recommenda tions for “absorbing” Japan’s bursting population, which was 66 million in 1930- 34, 72 million at the end of the war. 80 million at the end of last year, and will be 105 million in 20 years.

After perfunctorily endorsing birth con trol, the council suggests that other courses open to Japan are:— Recovery of Japan’s international trade.

Promotion of secondary or urban in dustries.

Training of “industrious and peaceful migrants.”

The areas which Japan has specifically marked down for migration are: Borneo, New Guinea (beginning with Dutch New Guinea), the Celebes, Halmahera and Ceram.

Let Them Go to Hokkaido

JAPAN’S leaders ignore the fact that there is immediate room for six million pioneers in Hokkaido, the beautiful but cold and unsettled northern most island of the Japanese homeland.

They recognise that birth control is a strange alien idea in Japan, and that any central government could easily stifle public interest in its widespread adoption.

And, anyway, they don’t want to check Japan’s population growth.

That is the central point on which all Japanese parties, from Prime Minister Yoshida’s conservatives and reactionaries to Sanzo Nosaka’s Communists, are in firm nationalistic agreement.

Members of the Japanese Population Council believe, further, that in any United Nations’ discussion on migration they could first count on the help of Asiatic nations like China, India and In donesia.

Then they could also count on trad itionally friendly South American countries like Brazil and Argentina, which have already declared willingness to wel come “Industrious and peaceful Japanese migrants.”

“Dutch New Guinea, populated now by 200,000 natives, could support at least 20 million Japanese,” says a private appen dix to the Population Council’s report.

“Japanese pioneers who successfully operated cotton and hemp concessions on the north coast of Dutch New Guinea know that untapped natural resources could yield rich supplies of high-grade lumber, resin and processed forestry pro ducts.”

Japan’s irrepressible birth rate conse quently becomes at once a challenge to White Australia fears of an Asiatic popu lation spill-over into the south and a threat to Western high-wage tariffs against Japanese sweat-rag trade com petition.

of Fiji

Promotion for P. D. Macdonald of Fiji

MR. P. D. MACDONALD, who held the post of Assistant Colonial Secretary, Fiji, has been appointed Colonial Secretary, Leeward Islands.

Mr. Macdonald, who is at present on leave in the United Kingdom, served in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony as an Administrative Officer from 1932 un til 1940, when he was appointed an Assistant Secretary, Western Pacific High Commission. .

In 1942, he was seconded to Trinidad as Assistant Colonial Secretary, and in 1946 was transferred to Fiji.

The report of Mr. E. B. Rice, Director of Dairying, Queensland, on the Dairy Industry in Fiii, with particular reference to the costs of production of butterfat has been published as a Council Paper Copies are available at the Government Press, Suva. The price is 47-

Samoa Against British Preferential Tariff

p. 12

Desire To Revert to Pre-1914 System

BEFORE the Western Samoa adminis tration was taken over by Germany in 1900, there was an ad valorem duty on all goods entering the country, to help pay government costs. Germany maintained the old system—an ad valorem duty on all goods, irrespective of country of origin—but increased the duty to 10 per cent, in 1901 and to 12 per cent, in 1909. Many goods came in free, and some—like liquor, tobacco and fire-arms —were specially taxed.

The New Zealand military administra tion followed the same system from 1914, until 1920, when the Mandate Govern ment functioned. Thenceforward, all goods with an origin in British countries were given a preference of 7i> per cent, over other goods. When World War II came, the rates of duty had climbed up to 17i per cent, on British goods and 25 per cent, on others, plus a heavy sur charge In mid-1949, the new Legislative As sembly of Western Samoa set up a Select Committee — “(a) To consider, in view of the statements and discussions at the Fourth Session of the United Nations Trusteeship Council, whether the existing British Preferential Tariff should be maintained or, if not, what principle in this respect should be adopted in determining rates of customs duties in future; “(b) To take evidence, on oath or otherwise in the discretion of the Select Committee, from, and ascertain the opinions of, representatives of the various sections of the community upon the existing Preferential Tariff and upon any desirable modifications thereto.’’

This Committee now has reported, and its conclusions are thus summarised: — 1. That the existing British tariff pre ference should be abolished: 2. That a new tariff should be drawn up providing for — (a) specific duties on certain lines of low value on which it is de sired to impose a high rate of duty (e.g., cigarettes, tobacco, petrol); (b) a general rate of ad valorem duty to be imposed on all goods not otherwise provided for, re gardless of their country of origin: (c) a lower rate of ad valorem duty to be imposed on certain speci fied staple lines, regardless of their country of origin. (d) a free list. 3. That there should be a single con solidated rate of duty in place of the present basic duty plus sur charge ; 4. That the Government should con sider the advisability of valuing all goods for the assessment of Cus toms due in terms of Samoan cur rency; 5. That the Government should con sider undertaking a thorough sur vey of the economic resources of the Territory, with special reference to the possibility of expanding existing industries and establishing new ones.

In its deliberations upon the form of tariff best suited to the needs of Western Samoa, the Committee has kept in mind two main principles:— 1. That any proposals which it might make should be designed so as to allow the Government to obtain the same amount of revenue, in proportion to import trade, as at present; 2. That the price of staple lines, prin cipally foodstuffs, should be kept as low as possible.

Editorial Note

AS Western Samoa is a New Zealand Trusteeship, the New Zealand Government probably will have to be consulted before any such far-reaching changes are made.

The newly-elected NZ Parliament is sharply critical of the Leftist influences which, since 1945, have been seeking the disintegration of the British Empire; and, if the Trusteeship Council’s tendency to interference in Samoan affairs is regarded as coming in that category, the Select Committee’s report will get short thrift in Wellington.

However, Trusteeship territories like Western Samoa have been given a new status since 1945, which seems to place them partly outside Imperial controls; and New Zealand probably will accept that viewpoint, and permit the implemen tation of the Report. NZ businessmen will not like it, however. The Western Samoa administration has cost NZ a lot of money, in special grants and subsidies—why, therefore, should New Zealand not get the benefit of trade with Western Samoa?

The trade figures (1947 are the last available) are worth quoting:—

British imports Into Samoa New Zealand £289,892 Australia 133,396 United Kingdom .. .. 120,671 Canada 98,701 Fiji 23,338 Other countries .. .. 18,093 Total British imports .. £684,091 Foreign Imports Into Samoa United States £224,890 Iran 7,379 Other countries .. .. 7,413 Total foreign imports .. £239,682 “The most important reasons why Samoa trades with these five British countries and the United States,” says the report, “are not difficult to find. They are the countries with which the Territory has reasonably good shipping connections.

All but the United Kingdom are within, or upon the borders of the Pacific; and the United Kingdom, owing to the scale of its trade with Pacific countries, operates regular and frequent trans-Pacific freight services. Samoa trades with these countries not so much because they pro duce what she needs —for other countries do that as well —as because they have means of sending their goods to Samoa with at least fair regularity and without unduly expensive trans-shipment.”

C. Sullivan Ltd. Extends To

p. 12

America

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan —a snapshot in a street in San Francisco.

Mr. Charles Sullivan, the head of C. Sulli van Pty., Ltd., Islands merchants, of Sydney, established a branch of his firm in San Fran cisco recently. Mr. Sullivan, accompanied by Mrs. Sullivan, returned to Sydney in November on the Aorangi, after a business visit to the United States and Europe.

Indian Speedsters

p. 12

Fijian Police

Arrest

Suva, Dec. 1

A FIJIAN, Constable Kaveni Kuru, came upon a noisy Indian party in a parked taxi, at 2.35 a.m. on November 19, and placed a young Indian woman under arrest.

Three Indian men actively resisted the constable. Then one of them, Uday Deo, jumped into the taxi and started off.

Constable Keveni sprang onto the running board, and hung on.

The taxi raced at an incredible speed through central Suva to Nasese, Laucala Bay and Tamavua—ll miles—and the plucky constable, on the running board had several narrow escapes. The Indians tried to get rid of him —they even threatened him (at 50 mph!) with the cranking handle.

As the taxi raced through town, the constable saw his officer, Sergeant Malilili, and yelled for help. The sergeant, in another taxi, pursued the malefactors all the way to Tamavua. There, Uday Deo slowed down, and the police arrested the lot.

The magistrate, Mr. J. G. Horsfall, sen taced Uday Deo to a year’s hard labour and fined him heavily for other offences; the other two Indians were sent to gaol for six months; and the woman was fined for drunkenness.

The magistrate warmly commended the police for their conduct in the case.

Inspector D. T. Saint, told the court that Uday Deo was by far the worst of the offenders. His conduct illustrated the contempt for the law and order shown by “a certain section of the com munity.”

Mr. A. I. N. Deoki, for the defence, demanded to know to which section of the community the inspector referred.

“The hooligan element”, replied In spector Saint.

Mr. Deoki gave notice of appeal against the sentences.

By Governor

Fiji Land-Agitation Firmly Discredited

Indian Community Again Warned of Over-Population Peril From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 25.

11HE Fijian land reserves situation, cur rently the subject of unrestrained Indian political agitation, was handled with characteristic directness by the Governor (Sir Brian Freeston) in his opening address at the Budget session of the Legislative Council to-day.

“Let us hear no more of the irrespon sible talk, which I should like to believe is based on nothing worse than misunder standing and stupidity—but which, if all that reaches my ears is true, has led to apprehensions of wholesale evictions, plots to get the Indian farmers off the land, and the creation in the next year or two of a large class of landless paupers,” the Governor demanded.

“Such talk, and the encouragement of such fantastic fears is, to say the least of it, unutterably foolish, and I rely on the good sense of our Indian fellow-sub jects in this Colony to treat these rumours and their originators with the contempt which they deserve.”

Number of Indian Lessees THE Governor said that in the two pro vinces, Ba and Lautoka, where the boundaries of the Fijian reserves have now been finally established, there are 2,643 Indian canegrowers.

“Out of this number only 32 occupy native leases which will expire and will not be renewed on December 31 next year,” said Sir Brian. “Of these 32 who will be required to vacate their present holdings in 13 months’ time, all but one have already had their position and pros pects carefully examined by the Western District Resettlement Committee.

“Of the 31 cases examined, the com mittee found that only five required as sistance towards resettlement, the re mainder having already provided them selves with other land on which to main tain themselves and their families when they leave their present holdings.

“In the remainder of the sugar-belt there are, I believe, 2,298 Indian cane growers. In this area the boundaries of the Fijian reserves have not yet been published; on the information available, however, it is expected that 41 native leases will expire without prospect of re newal on December 31, 1950.

“Of these 41 cases the committee has so far examined 33 and has found that out of these 33, 23 are already, provided for and only ten are in need of assist ance.”

To sum up, said the Governor, out of a total of nearly 5,000 Indian canefarmers in the Western District, the number in need of assistance towards resettlement was only 15—or 20 if allowance were made for the few cases which the com mittee had not yet had time to examine.

Dealing with the more distant future, the Governor said: “On the particulars available to me I can say that after 1950 there will be possibly another 100 native leases which will not be renewed on ter mination. Some of these, however, still have many years to run, and the displace ments involved will be spread over the next 50 years.

Apprehension Discounted “AS regards the rest of the Colony, no XX exact figures are yet available; we shall know more about this aspect of the problem in 12 months’ time. But there is no reason to apprehend that the difficulties will be on a much greater scale than in the Western District, or that they will be incapable of solution on the lines which I have indicated.”

After pointing out that, given goodwill on all sides, the transitional period could be passed with a minimum of hardship to those immediately affected, who were very few, the Governor said that, when complete, the operation of the system would give greater security of tenure to non-Fijians in respect of lands outside the Fijian reserves.

At this point the Governor recalled his pronouncement to the Legislative Council that their overwhelming rate of increase threatened to bring about a catastrophe in which Fiji would be unable to support its overcrowded population. He said : “The case which I have laid before you rests on the basis of the non-native popu lation of Fiji as it exists to-day.

“As regards the consequences of an un restricted increase in their numbers, I have nothing to add to, and nothing to subtract from, the remarks which I ad dressed to you from this chair in opening the August session of Council.”

'Rine'!

Snarling Generals And The New Guinea War

ANEW book on the Southwest Pacific War, by the American Air Force Gen eral Kenny, setting out some bitter home-truths about the ghastly muddling of Australian and American brass-hats, has caused a stir in Australia’s ageing military circles.

From the book, and from “letters to the editor” since the book was reviewed, it is clear that some Australian leaders hated other Australian leaders with a vicious and deadly hatred, in those critical months in Papua and New Guinea.

Two other things that come out clearly are a general admiration for General Douglas MacArthur, and the high quality displayed by those battle-hardened Seventh and Ninth Australian Divisions, when they got into the mud and stench of jungle warfare.

But we cannot follow the war through these readable pages—it is much too complicated. Better re-tell one of Kenney’s best stories.

Kenney kept the Americans and Aus tralians as far apart as possible.

To illustrate the handicap of too-close co-operation, he says an Australian weather officer once was explaining to an American crew that there might be rain clouds on the way to the bombing target.

“What are ‘rine-clouds’?” asked one American pilot.

His co-pilot remarked: “He said ‘rime clouds’—clouds that have rime-ice.”

The Americans worried about this, were preparing to get de-icing equipment fitted to the aircraft until it was explained that, in the Australian accent, “ram” be came “rine.”

Miss Eleanor Rivett, MA, formerly Prin cipal of the Women’s Christian College at Madras, has been appointed Woman Secretary of the London Missionary Society,Australia and New Zealand Com mittee. Miss Rivett succeeds Miss Kath leen Scott, who resigned some time ago on her marriage to the Rev. James Kay of New Zealand.

Loathsome!

Jap-Snail Invasion of New Ireland

From Our Own Correspondent

Kavieng, Dec. 1.

POLICE and Customs officials here seem powerless to check the invasion of a loathsome snail that is causing more peril than a large Communistic migration from the Dutch border. The demoralising effect on the local natives is apparent, and only by combined effort of the plan ters can this pernicious element in our midst be kept in its place.

Of a nomadic disposition, with a stan dard of living even lower than the native himself, this “camp follower” was first brought to New Ireland by the Japanese troops to satisfy their protein needs, and, as may be expected, it does its dirty work mostly at night.

A true hermophrodite, the giant snail, Achatina Fulica, is breeding far and wide.

Every individual is an egg producer, and a single snail could, in five years, pro duce 11 billion offspring, weighing 11 bil lion pounds. Up to 300 eggs are laid in a single hatch.

But ducks like “him,” and the future of New Ireland may lie in large-scale poultry breeding for the export market!

Achatina has a really high protein value and, if the worst comes to the worst, and we’re ever cut off again in this charming neck of the Pacific, we should not be stuck for “kai,” what with the abundance of snails, frogs, fish and coco nuts. But I do wish the goats wouldn’t eat the hibiscus, for hibiscus leaves also have definite food value!

You can see these horrible snails squashed along every yard of Bulomin ski’s famed highway, which also scin tilates with the fragments of millions of smashed snail-shells.

More Delay Ik Rose Bay

Flying-Boat Case

SYDNEY, December 7.

THE managing-director of Trans Oceanic Airways, Mr. Bryan Wills Monkton, who was brought before the Central Court here, on October 12, on a charge of malicious damage to a Catalina flying boat at Rose Bay, and remanded to De cember 7, was further remanded to-day to February 7. Application for remand was made by the Police Prosecutor on the grounds that a Crown witness, whose name he refused to divulge, would not be available until then.

The charge against Monkton arose out of an incident on the night of August 27, when a Qantas flying-boat, lying at Rose Bay, Sydney, was destroyed by fire fol lowing a mysterious explosion. Investi gation showed that a crude time-bomb had been used.

When Monkton appeared before the Central Court to-day he was accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. E. Murray Robson, MLA. Mr. Robson asked for the name of the Crown Witness in view of his client’s six years of service in the RAAF and the respect in which he was held in aviation circles in Australia. He said that it was thought that the witness in question was a former employee of TOA who was dis charged in circumstances amounting al most to dishonesty and that it was felt that he would not return to the jurisdic tion of the Court. His request was refused.

Mr. Robson said that Mr. J. W. Shand, KC, had been retained for the defence.

Advertisements & other items, p. 14 (1 item)

Morris Hedstrom Limited

General Merchants, Importers and Exporters,

Shipowners, Plantation Owners,

Commission and Insurance Agents

HEAD OFFICE

SUVA, FIJI

Established 1868

SERVICE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC TERRITORIES

THROUGH our Large Establishments in Suva and our Numerous Branches, we distribute a wide and comprehensive range of General Merchandise and provide almost every kind of service. Our departments and associated businesses include:

DRAPERY

MOTOR SALES

AND SERVICE

TOBACCO

TIMBER AND

BUILDING

GROCERY

CONFECTIONERY

HARDWARE

ELECTRICAL

LIQUORS

DRUGS

Branches Throughout Fiji, Samoa and Tonga

There is a Branch or Agent of Morris Hedstrom Limited in every Town in the Three Territories.

We are Sole Agents in these Territories for

British Drug Houses Ltd.

Electrolux Ltd.

Ford Motor Co.

General Electric Co. Ltd.

Goodyear Tyre Cr Rubber Co.

B. A. Hjorth Gr Co. (Primus Products) Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd.

International Harvester Export Co.

Matson Navigation Company

Max Factor and Co. Inc.

Ransomes, Sims Gr Jefferies Ltd.

Ruston & Hornsby Ltd.

Vacuum Oil Co. Pty. Ltd.

Yorkshire Copper Works Ltd.

Morris Hedstrom Limited

IN AUSTRALIA:

Morris Hedstrom (Aust.) Pty. Ltd Asbestos House, 65 York Street, SYDNEY LLOYD'S AGENTS in Fiji and Samoa.

IN GREAT BRITAIN:

Morris Hedstrom Limited, Africa House, Kingsway, LONDON

South Pacific

pp. 15-17

Commission

Substantial Progress In One Year

Organisation Based on Noumea

IN the twelve months since the Commis sion inaugurated its permanent organisation and chose Noumea as its permanent seat, important progress has been made.

The Research Council held its first meeting in May, 1949, and laid the ground-plan of the work programme in its 28 Projects.

The Commission adopted these pro jects, authorised immediate expenditure for 1949 and, at the recent session, made budgetary provision for carrying them on in 1950.

The Secretariat was transferred in March from the temporary headquarters at Mosman, NSW, and established at the Pentagon Building at Anse Vata, Noumea.

The Commission has now decided that the Pentagon Building will serve as per manent headquarters and has agreed on the main lines of a financial agreement with the French authorities in respect of the expenses of reconstructing the building.

The French authorities have drawn un a plan for the permanent housing of members of the Commission staff.

All six of the Principal Officers (the Secretary-General, the Deputy Chairman of the Research Council, the Deputy-

Headquarters: Anse Vata Noumea, New Caledonia

Secretary-General and the Members of the Research Council for Health, Econo mic Development and Social Development) have been appointed since November 1, 1948, and appointments have been made to some of the senior posts in the Secre tariat —other posts so far being held on a temporary basis.

The international character of the staff has been preserved. Those so far ap pointed for one year or longer comprise three Australians, three Frenchmen, three Netherlanders, one New Zealander, one Englishman and one American.

The clerical and typing staff is drawn mainly from Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, The phase in which organisation neces sarily occupied the main attention is pass ing; many of the Projects have been launched; and arrangements for putting the others into operation are in hand.

The adoption of the first budget for a full operational year (the 1950 Budget considered at the recent Session) will be a landmark, and the holding of the first South Pacific Conference at Nasinu, Fiji, in April next, will complete a full cycle of the meetings of the Commission and its auxiliary bodies.

Introduction of New Plants

TWO of the Commission’s economic de velopment projects will be carried out in New Caledonia.

Arrangements have been in hand for some time to develop gardens for the in troduction of economic plants and the

study of these plants, in order to find varieties suitable for cultivation in South Pacific Islands (Project E/l).

A suitable tract of land in the Port La Guerre area has been selected, on which the New Caledonia Government proposes to establish a farm school, a model farm and a reafforestation project. Introduction gardens will form part of this work, and the ways in which the Commission and its research officers will assist have been agreed upon.

Similar work will be carried out at Nanduruloulou in Pitt under the same Project, An area suitable for the pilot-land-usesurvey, provided for in Pro.iect E/4, has New b Ca?edonto 6n in" the 6 „, e „'' Thesnrvev will he made bv j°S

“expSTK! M 153

surveyor) selected by the Commission.

Council D Tr ty ßaa^c a king exp£tT?S

Istms

convinced The

fortw? <S™ev Chairman of the The findings will be imnortant in con-

nection with afforestatSn^Mature dl

ve'oSment and a hy“S re“ 6 d6 ‘ Final details and formal arrangement*

between the cISSnSSi and thl nTw

Caledonia administration are now being wlrked out b c A ji r nVQ i ooii on lorai isianus MEANWHILE, the deputy chairman has Uf a ?vL SOme inter ® stin .f investigations i O -ei t IS pl £ c . ess °? on coral islands; this work has been done on the Isle aux Canards, off Anse Vata Bay, near Noumea.

One result, so far, has been the isolation of representatives of anew group of nitrogen-fixing bacteria which may be of great importance in the formation of soil from coral sand.

Initial steps have been taken for the preparation of a handbook of weeds of the South Pacific area.

Field work as a preliminary to experiments designed to establish methods for controlling the Guave has been begun by the Deputy Chairman and Dr. Me- Daniels; the Institut Francais d’Oceanie is being consulted also.

Tiikurnilnsi'B War on I ÜberculOSlS for the Commission’s I tuberculosis team to start work in been

toeffiflk Mw l

Sin of the French Coloni?! Medical nfcian radi ° BraPher Project 1 H/3°win e b e ea to dj*f ferent antigens and methods used in tuberculin tests in various racial and age S roups in the South Pacific area * and to compare the radiographic appearances in tne World Health Organisation classification of Tuberculosis, and to examine the possibility of producing simple techniques in radiography suitable under field ?onditions.”

The team will move on to other territories after it has made its investigations in New Guinea.

Plans for Better Food

HTHE Member for Health is seeking a 1 nutritionist to make studies of dietary requirements of indigenous

peoples of the South Pacific and also to work out suitable menus and demonstrate methods of preparation of foods Tbi* wnrk . fpvnipct* tt 9 „ r4 ii begS in the Melanesian aria needs are most urgent nrnhahiv in Jhp Mew Hebrides and y n tn ew ±leDrmes ana Solomons, NAfnMo Fvnorimonf in noiaoie experiment in FIJI rpHE Research Council Member for I Social Develonment Mr H f Mande has given considerable HrrTe and Xught in g rec?n“ weeks to the pioneer experiment in Community De velopment on Moturiki islet in Fiji This is the subject of an article on Pages 61 and 62, where the plan is ex-

P Cussed ’

Pacific-Wide Interest

The progress of this experimental at

«srt°s!

offers a possible solution to some of their own problems. Whether it succeeds or &, ll6> how l ever - will depend primarily on the people of Moturiki themselves, on SSSMShe" ‘ W ° rk Wffl cessarny aevoive.

Mr. Maude has pointed out that a unique opportunity for achieving a measure of social and economic develoo ment is being offered to them: one can but hope that, with wise leadership, they will take full advantage of it. --- France has warmly thanked the Austra lian Government for its friendly gesture i n cancelling the debt of £7OO 000 for arm- Sg and French Pacific fl^s during World War 11.

Fiji Police Officers 45 Years Ago

p. 15

This interesting old photograph shows the Fiji Constabulary in the making. The organ isation which now has a fine record, was brought into being about 1906 by legislation that was based on the constitution of the Royal Irish Constahulery. .Before that, Fiji was policed by officers—mostly old Army men —who bad only local responsibility.

This group of officers of the new police force was taken in the year in which King Edward Vll died, hence the black arm-bands.

Back row: Sub-Inspector Ratu Ephereni, Sub-

Inspector McDermott, Sub-Inspector C. A.

Swinbourne, Sub- Inspector Stanlake, Sub- Inspector Wager, Sub-Inspector Ratu Inoke.

Front) row: Sub-Inspector Pennefather, Inspector Francis (now Sir Brook Francis), the late Hon. Ismay McOwan (Inspector General), Sub-Inspector Barnett, Sub-Inspector Scott-Young.

Some of these men became well known in later years. Messrs. Swinbourne and Wager, both retired, are residents of Sydney. We are endebted to Mr. Wager for the loan of this valuable old print.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 15-17 (1 item)

Year Book

PACIFIC ISLANDS

1950 EDITION

Will Be Published Early

in the New Year

THIS is now the world’s Standard Reference Book on the Islands of the Pacific. There have been five earlier Editions—in 1932, 1935, 1939, 1942 and 1944. The 1944 Edition, which was called the Wartime Edition, carried a great deal of material dealing with the Pacific War, and contained 384 pages and many Inset Maps.

Since the end of the Pacific War, in 1945, practically every Territory in the Pacific has been subject to farreaching changes of a political, social and commercial character.

Consequently, the 1944 Edition has been completely revised, so as to show these numerous changes.

The hook has been enlarged to take care of a great deal of additional matter. There are, for example, new sections dealing with Air Transportation, the Trusteeship Territories, the South Pacific Commission, the new market background behind the Copra Industry, and so on. There are new and improved maps.

Every Territory and Islands Group is described in detail — geography, history, administration, population, commerce, education, health, etc.

There is a complete directory of all the Christian Missions operating in the South Pacific Islands. The Index has been checked and enlarged.

There is a complete History and Chronology of the Pacific War (1941-1945).

Production has been much delayed by Australia’s economic and industrial troubles, but the new book is now scheduled for publication early in the New Year.

PRICE: 21/- Australian—s2.so Add 6d., or 6c. for Postage The Edition is limited, so please your copy early.

Pacific Publications Ply., Ltd

Union House, 247 George St.,

Sydney

(or P 0 Box 3408, Sydney)

Fly Pan American to the U. S. A.

V /£ & n NQ) Downstairs club lounge —on the new / double-decked Clippers to California.

Enjoy all these Extras!

You can fly straight through in or stop over in lovely Hawaii ,•< You can go on to California in new pf c u K g E p Clippers* Your choice of gateway cities, too .. . Los Angeles San Francisco Portland or Seattle. NO EXTRA COST for any of these Pan American extras!

Call your travel agent , or SUVA: Bank of N.S.W. Bldg. (Tel. 664) NOUMEA : Rue Jean Jaures (Tel. 85)

Pm American World

SPEED YOUR PARCEL BV CLIPPER CARGO

•Trade Marks, Pan American Airways Inc.

Pan American Airways, Inc., Lid., Incorporated in U.S.A.

'i>'

W /M*S O /Slf/VOi

r*fp//va

—-WHOLESALE SHIPMENTS

EXECUTED

A T

PRICES

% ''/' //«//!« |t, (»

G. H. ROBINSON

EXPORTS & IMPORTS PTY. LTD.

5i Macquarie St., Sydney.

TELEGRAMS: "SUNRISE" SYDNEY

PACIFIC ISLAND DISTRIBUTORS FOR: BRADFORD COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND JOWETT JAVELIN CARS

Copra Sacks May Be Scarcer and Dearer

p. 18

Next Year

A TARIFF war between India and Pakistan may result in a steep in crease in the cost of copra sacks (and a sharp decline in their production) next year.

India does most of the jute processing; Pakistan grows the fibre. Recently, India

began raising the duty on raw jute with the result that Pakistan stopped sending it across the border. Sacks in India jumped from the equivalent of 27/6 per dozen to about 42/- per dozen (Austra lian) ; the Calcutta jute market closed down and sales are limited now to black market dealings. India is reported to be increasing her own production of raw jute but it will take three years before she is self-sufficient.

There has been a shortage of bags and sacks since the end of the war but the position has eased slightly in the last two years. The bumper Australian wheat harvest of two years ago found Australia unprepared as far as sacks were con cerned. Copra producing territories, de pendent upon Australia for copra sacks, consequently went short also. A better than-average wheat crop is again being harvested in Australia at the present time.

It is reported that there are ample sup plies of jute and hessian available in the Commonwealth to cope with it but after that the outlook is grim. Australia has a quota of 100,000 tons of jute a year but the demand of sacks is growing all the time.

Although the cultivation of other fibre producing plants (sisal, ramie, etc.) has been boosted in tropical and sub-tropical territories from time to time, nothing seems to have displaced jute as a material for sacks. At present two young service men in Sydney are engaged in cultivating acres of canna lilies, which are known to most amateur gardeners. It is said that the fibres of the roots can be used as a substitute for jute and similar commercial fibres.

Western Region

p. 18

Unknown N. Guinea

Patrol Now Examining Central- Western Region

Pt. Moresby, Dec. 6.

PENETRATION of the huge, well populated and generally unknown region that lies near the centre of New Guinea, south-eastwards of the point in the mountains where the boundaries of Australian New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea and Papua meet, is now being un dertaken by a small party in charge of Mr.

Allan Timperley (Assistant District Officer at Mount Hagen) and Patrol Officer Corrigan, They are making the first direct patrol from Mount Hagen. (New Guinea Central Highlands) to Lake Kutubu (near the western end of Papua).

Mr. Ivan Champion and the late Mr.

Jack Hides, two of the most distinguished members of the late Sir Hubert Murray’s Administration, were the first men to enter and report upon this interesting country.

Several different branches of a superior type of native live in the broad valleys and high, fertile plateaus that lie in this interior, protected by almost impassable chains of mountains and a rather terri fying “limestone barrier.”

Mr. Hides, in the ‘thirties, left the Administration service and took a small expedition into this country, via the Fly and the Strickland, in search of gold.

They got out, after suffering great priva tions; but Lyall, Hides’s companion, died at Daru, and Hides died not long after wards, in Sydney.

Although it has been examined fre nuently from the air, the whole region, embracing the headwaters of the Fly, Strickland, Sepik and Purari rivers, is still partly unmapped and unknown.

Advertisements & other items, p. 18 (1 item)

(guutca) LTD.

WICO MAGNETOS

(made in England)

For original or replacement

equipment on engines

Clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation all with built-in Impulse Coupling. (Prices plus tax)

PRICES ON APPLICATION

For Flange Mountings Vertical type Flywheel type Spare parts.

Trade Enquiries Invited

HARDMAN & HALL

44-48 Missenden Road, Newtown. ’Phone: LA 3597. 4 Cyl. .. .

Twin Cyl. .

Single Cyl. £lO 5 0 £7 17 0 £6 18 0

m sj Write for full details of prices and deliveries to : —

• COLYEB WATSON

,v r Distributors throughout the Territory of New Guinea for

ROOTES GROUP PRODUCTS

HUMBER, HILLMAN

and SUNBEAM-TALBOT CARS

COMMER and KAHRIER TRUCKS

mw% . m 1A

(guutca) LTD.

RABAUL

KAVIENC J

Pacific Franc

pp. 19-20

Devaluation Causes Irritation In French Colonies

rpHERE has been much perturbation in L French-Pacific commercial and financial circles sine the £ Stg. was devalued in mid-September.

Prance was not consulted by Britain before the drastic step was taken; and, as the franc is an important factor in Western European economy, and closely linked with Sterling, France was acutely embarrassed, and the French Government collapsed.

Before Sterling was de-valued, the Paci fic franc was quoted at 159 to the Aus tralian £. Probably, if the Australian £ had not also been de-valued. the Pacific franc would not have altered; but when the Australian £ followed Sterling to the new level, the French in New Caledonia and French Oceania did not know what to do.

Finally, they decided to follow the £ only half-way. At the end of November, they were quoting the Pacific franc at 141.75 to the Australian £, as compared with 159 (equal to 70 francs to the US dollar). This represented a de valuation of rather more than 12i per cent., whereas the British and Australian £, in relation to the Dollar, had gone down nearly 30 per cent.

This meant that Australian exporters, in relation to the markets of New Cale donia and Tahiti, were given a sharp advantage over French exporters, French merchants generally are finding the situa tion difficult. The French authorities are trying to keep all possible French trade in French channels; but the natural ten dency is to buy in the cheapest market— Australia.

The New Caledonian General Council is supporting a vigorous protest by the Noumea Chamber of Commerce against the devaluation of the Pacific franc. The Governor-General has been asked to inform the French Government of the protest and of the alarm of the local population at this blow to their economic welfare. A serious view is taken of the interruption of French trade with the New Hebrides. French trade there, it is alleged, has been paralysed in favour of the British as a result of devaluation.

The other side of the picture is seen already in the nickel and chrome industry of New Caledonia. As a result of the new rates a large increase in exports of nickel matte and chrome ore is expected in 1950.

New Caledonia, in 1950, is increasing postages on ordinary letters by 50 per cent, (from 2 to 3 francs—one franc is

worth about one and two-thirds Austra lian pennies) and telegraphic charges by 300 per cent.

In November, New Caledonia held 1,100,000 US dollars, £225,000 Sterling, and £280,000 Australian —described as “a favourable situation.”

Owing to the higher cost of Australian flour, the price of bread in Noumea has gone from 11.20 to 11.65 francs per loaf.

Mr. Bill Murrain, American circum navigator, paid a visit to Sydney in November. He arrived in Port Moresby at the end of October in his stainless steel 30-ft. yacht, Seven Seas 11, after spending over two years in a leisurely crossing of the Pacific, and visiting many Territories.

He left his interesting craft in Port Moresby, and flew South for a brief spell of city life.

Mr. Harry Edmunds has been promoted to the post of Assistant Postmaster- General, Fiji. He joined the Posts and Telegraphs Department in 1921 as a telephone operator. He later became a postal clerk and on various occasions has acted as Postmaster at Levuka, Lautoka and Suva. He was appointed Assistant Accountant in June. 1946, and Accoun tant in July. 1948.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 19-20 (1 item)

Season’s Greetings

FLIT MEANS DEATH TO

MOSQUITOES

FLIT is again available everywhere to help you wage war against insect pests.

FLIT contains D.D.T., in addition to Pyrethrum and Thanite, making it the most effective insecticide available.

VACUUM OIL COMPANY PTY. LTD.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE INSECTICIDE YOU CAN BUY Kills Moth* MoiquHoe* (ockroarh** ‘'lverTnh Bugs Ant* tL

We Extend

TO OUR PACIFIC ISLANDS FRIENDS :

Season’s Greetings

VENTURA TRADING COMPANY PTY. LTD.

2 6 BRIDGE STREET,

SYDNEY.

BOOK LOVERS!

Hutchinson’s UNIVERSAL BOOK CLUB offers an easy way to build a well-chosen Home Library.

Each month a Committee, with the co-operation of leading English and American publishers, selects for the members of the UNIVERSAL BOOK CLUB an outstanding contemporary novel by a famous author.

The subscription is £2/2/- for 12 books a year delivered monthly or £l/1/- for 6 months. This is the only charge and includes postage.

Join now and receive your first book by return mail .

Membership in other Book Clubs may also be arranged.

MAIL PUBLICITY COMPANY

175 Pitt Street.

Sydney, N.S.W.

HV Royal Flight Now Fiji Governor’s Yacht

p. 20

The 56-ft. twin “Gardner”-Diesel, twin screw, motor-vessel, Royal Flight, owned by Group-Captain and Mrs. Garnet Malley, of Sydney, has recently been purchased by the Fiji Government. She will hence forth be the Govenment yacht, conveying the Governor to outlying Islands, and will undertake much of the work done up to date by the “Adi Beti.”

With exception of two months, when they loaned their Royal Flight to the J. Arthur Rank Company for the purpose of filming the Blue Lagoon in Fiji waters, Group-Captain and Mrs. Malley have for the past three years been cruising around the Pacific Islands in this yacht.

They are at present at their plantation at Vanua M’Balavu, in the Lau Exploring Group, Fiji Islands.

Islanders Do Well From Pearling

p. 20

Activities

DURING 12 months activities, a fleet of 31 pearling vessels operated by Torres Strait Islanders, earned £67,547.

The boats won 162 tons of mother-of pearl, worth £53,142, and 228 tons of trochus shell, worth £14,405.

The biggest money was earned by Tanu date by the “Adi Beti.”

Most of the male population of the Torres Strait Islands work in the pearl ing industry. Some own their luggers and others work for pearling companies. For year ended June 30 the islanders’ savings bank accounts increased by £lO,OOO over the previous year’s figure.

Price of pearl shell has dropped, how ever, from over £7OO per ton in 1946 to between £3OO-£4OO, and trochus shell from £l6O to £72. Some believe that the pre sent market is not stable and prices may drop even further.

Advertisements & other items, p. 20 (1 item)

Biscuits...

HOME STYLE BISCUITS

■ 1

J. C. MERRILLEES PTY. LTD.

104 HUNTER ST., SYDNEY

Telegrams: “Merrillees,” Sydney.

BISCUITS...

Home-style sweet biscuits of supreme quality, manufactured in Australia, of the finest ingredients and in 7 varieties.

Packed -for export in lb. cartons or tins —l 2 cartons or tins per case.

AGENTS

WALTER GRAND HUNTS AGENCY

PAPEETE, TAHITI.

SUVA, FIJI.

We extend to all our Clients and Friends

0 CHRISTMAS and NEW

YEAR GREETINGS.

Overwhelming Result of Fijis

p. 21

Anti-TBAppeal

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 14.

ALL estimates of the success of Fiji’s War Memorial Anti-TB Appeal have gone overboard, and it now appears that the fund will close, for 1949, some where near £60,000, or approximately 50 per cent, over the target set on August 16.

This figure does not include the Govern ment’s donation of £20,000.

The astonishing result of the appeal has been due to the reaction of the “small people’’—Fijans. Europeans, Indians, Chinese, Polynesians and others alike.

Apart from the generous support of a few big commercial organisations, cf which the CSR Company, the Associated Goldmines (£3,000), and W. R. Carpenter and Co. (Fiji) Ltd., are by far the most outstanding, the response of the wealthiest sections of the community has done little to help achieve the total.

At times there have been flickers of criticism of the appeal, mostly from those who express distrust of anything of the kind in which the Government has a hand, but there has been an emphatic demonstration of public impatience with unconstructive quibbling—sc emphatic that the 1949 Appeal will go down as the first movement of any sort that has over ridden all the racial, religious and other sectional barriers that commonly divide Fiji into suspicious and sometimes bitterly opposed factions.

The central committee of the appeal organisation admits that in the early days £35,000 was regarded as a likely figure.

Administration cf Fund A BILL will be introduced at the Budget session of the Legislative Council (which was opened on November 25) providing for the establishment and ad ministration of the War Memorial Anti- Tuberculosis Fund.

Five trustees will be appointed by the Governor to see that “the purpose for which the fund shall be used and applied shall be the prevention and control of tuberculosis in the Colony and the treat ment and welfare of persons suffering from tuberculosis in the Colony.”

Some of the uses the fund —or

what remains after deduction of the capital expenditure of £30,000 —will be the erection and extension of wards and hos pitals for the treatment of tubercular patients; the erection of staff quarters, clinics, laboratories and other buildings; the equipment and furnishing of the new

wards and hospitals; the travelling ex penses of tubercular patients to and from hospitals or clinics; the supply of com forts to TB patients; the after-care of discharged patients.

Whatever portion of the fund is not re quired for immediate needs may be in vested in England or Fiji.

Mrs. Phyllis Keenan, wife of ADO J.

R. Keenan of Rabaul, arrived in Syd ney late in November on MV Bulolo.

Early in January she will leave for the United Kingdom. She will be joined there by her husband later in 1950.

2,000 Miles In 26 Ft. Launch

p. 21

North Queensland newspapers in November gave prominence to the voyage of 2,000 miles of a 26 ft. launch, made under the direction of Cap tain G. Wyeth.

Captain Wyeth, who is a member of the firm of Capricorn Charters, of Gladstone, had for crew an apprentice named Stan Little, and was charged with the respon sibility of delivering the boat, which was constructed at Eallina, NSW, at Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. He successfully ac complished his mission.

Throughout the voyage the only calls made into ports were for fuel. The journey was completed mainly in day light; at nights the boat was anchored in the lee of the islands. Fortunately, the entire trip was accompanied by fine weather. The launch is powered with a 16 h.p. diesel engine, and had three tons of stores as ballast.

This is the second lengthy voyage made by George Wyeth. Last year he took the 50 ft. ketch, Capriccn, from Sydney to Honiara, British Solomon Islands. Organ isation for construction and delivery of this vessel was in the hands of William E.

Reed, Sydney.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 21-22 (1 item)

Sherwin-Williams Paints

ms m m m sm m O, WP Years of experience in the manufacture of paints and finishes of a consistent high standard have resulted in a spirit of responsibility among the members of the Sherwin-Williams organisation. This assumes tangible form in the manner by which a great tradition continues to be transformed into high-grade products . . . paints for all climates and conditions.

DISTRIBUTORS THROUGHOUT NEW GUINEA

COLYER WATSON (NEW GUINEA) PTY. LTD.

(/t'.sa i nitty (A

THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL

IN THE PACIFIC

HERE IS YOUR TRANS OCEANIC

Mooring Compt, ★ / .in 1 mi nr i / oda rut

7i rJ /IWwlVw

« 0 4 • Cartaln. Navigator.

O I n First Officer. Radio Op Engineer. Workshop & Store. 9 C& [ * Hold. e Seats. © Galley.

Promenade Deck. * THE SAFETY OF FOUR MIGHTY ENGINES if THE COMFORT OF AN OCEAN LINER

★ THE CONVENIENCE OF HARBOUR OPERATIONS

if THE COURTESY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

m V',

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

”TRANS i OCEANIC AIRWAYS PTY. ITD

KYLE HOUSE, MACQUARIE PLACE, SYDNEY. BU 2048-9: FLYING BOAT BASE, ROSE BAY, N.S.W. FU 8911, FU5924. * REGULAR SERVICES TO SOLOMON ISLANDS, NEW HEBRIDES, NEW CALEDONIA, LORD HOWE ISLAND, GRAFTON. * CHARTER FLIGHTS TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD BY ARRANGEMENT.

Death Of Farrell

p. 23

Arch-Villain of New Guinea Timber Case

THE death occurred in November of Ed ward Farrell, the arch-villain of the New Guinea Timber inquiries which absorbed over a year of the time of Aus tralian Teiritories Minister Ward.

The “syndicate” which claimed it had a timber concession, and bush-ranged the Queensland timber company, Hancock and Gore Ltd., to the tune of £50,000, originally comprised Farrell, Jock Garden, Jock’s son, Harcourt, and Ray Parer.

Jock was put into gaol for conspiracy and allied offences; Harcourt Garden and Ray Parer were tried and acquitted: but Farrell escaped prosecution on the ground of serious ill-health. Judge Ligertwood, who eventually, as a Royal Commissioner, cleared up the whole unsavoury mess, said that Farrell was the chief conspirator.

Farrell was engaged in some sort of activity in and around the New Guinea goldfields before the war, and he knew that a New Guinea timber concession would be extremely valuable. It was he who conceived the idea of using Parer to get a concession through Jock Garden (the Minister’s intimate associate and confidant), and he who carried on the extraordinary negotiations with Hancock and Gore.

Although Farrell escaped prosecution on health grounds in 1948-49, he was quite able to give evidence at the Ligertwood inquiry, and there was a howl a few months ago when, following the Judge’s report, the Federal and State Labour Governments refused to take action against him. However, it is now apparent that he was close to death’s door; and the

Reaper has now gathered him in. He ruined a couple of lives and at least one

political reputation.

Jock Garden probably will be out of gaol soon. The only net results of the notorious Timber Lease case are, there fore that Jock Garden was branded criminal and sent to gaol; Farrell was branded arch-rogue, and is dead; and the Queensland timber company is the loser of £50,000. It does not appear that any one ever tried seriously to find out what became of that £50,000.

Meanwhile, it is now proposed that the New Guinea timber-bearing country in question shall be worked by the Australian Government and Bulolo Gold Dredging- Ltd., in co-operation—BGD presumably to provide the operating organisation. Up to date, it has been the proud boast of Minister Ward that any timber-getting concessions given in New Guinea would be obtained only by public tender.

BSI Plantation Co. Shows Profit

p. 23

Solomon Islands Rubber Plan

TATIONS LTD., a Brisbane-owned, 40-year-old company which produces copra on Ysabel, in the Solomons, and which was out of production during the war years, made a net profit of £1,609 last year (July 31). It thus was able to wipe out an accumulated loss of £1.534 in its trading account, and go forward with a credit balance of £75. Indications are that, under the guaranteed price, it will continue to make profits for two or three years. It has an issued capital of £77,000; and there are accumulated arrears of some £1,400 on its £17,000 of preference shares. It balances its accounts by show ing “War Damage” at £3.795 —but notes that no war damage now is payable in respect of the Solomons.

Agreement

pp. 23-24

Nz And France Have Air

THE New Zealand and French Govern ments, on November 15, came to an interim agreement in respect of air craft landing rights in the territories in the South Pacific under their respective control. A more formal agreement is ex pected to follow, later.

By the interim agreement, the NZ Government grants to a French airline traffic rights in certain NZ Pacific Terri tories while the French Government has undertaken to grant similar rights in French territories to an airline to be de signated by the NZ Government.

In practice, this agreement is at pre sent one-sided as the only airline affected by it is the French TRAPAS service which runs monthly between Noumea, New Cale donia, and Tahiti with calls at airports in Fiji, Western Samoa and Cook Islands— the two last named being NZ-controlled Territories. This service has been operat ing for a year or so. The new agreement merely regularises it and will probably permit now, of the TRAPAS plane picking up and setting down passengers, mails or cargo at Western Samoa and Cook Islands airports.

There is no New Zealand air service which at present uses airports in French Pacific possessions. However, the agree ment provides for the NZ Government to designate an operator to use such facilities if and when NZ’s air network is extended to include French possessions in the Paci fic.

Dr. H. S. Evans, who has been on holiday in the United Kingdom, has re turned to Fiji, accompanied by his wife.

Dr. Evans is to be posted to Rotuma as a combined Medical and District Officer.

Mr L. C. Grant, OBE, who has been ap pointed Chief Engineer, Posts and Tele graphs Department on agreement for three years, has arrived in Fiji, He served in India from 1925 until last year. He will replace Mr. R. C. Farquhar as Chief En gineer. Mr. Farquhar, who has been filling the post for some years as a re employed pensioner will go to the United Kingdom on retirement leave next year.

Miss Maureen Mclvor has joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s staff at Port Moresby, Papua.

Advertisements & other items, p. 23 (1 item)

holiday, too!

Give mother

t. «• * X ★ Heinz Perfect Soups ★ Heinz Baked Beans ★ Heinz Spaghetti ★ Heinz Green Peas ★ Heinz 57 Sauce

Save work. Save lime

Save money

and eat well!

Make Heinz famous ready-toserve foods your holiday standby—just heat and eat!

Let mother have a real rest from cooking meals. Heinz will satisfy those hungry appetites every day.

1 HEW?

PURE

FOOD

products i

HEINZ

37 Varieties

World Famous for Quality and Flavour!

Rabaul Roundabout

pp. 24-25

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Nov. 25.

THE New Guinea Administration is en couraging the establishment of native-owned cocoa plantations in the Rabaul district. Mr. Overstone of the Department of Agriculture has al ready inspected five blocks of land owned by the people of villages situated at Kabaira Bay, and has found it suitable for cocoa planting. The blocks, which will total more than sixty acres, are with in easy road access of one another and when production stage is reached the vil lages will share in the construction of common fermentation vats and driers.

Clearing will start immediately and plant ing will commence early in the New Year. * DURING a recent visit to the Duke of York Islands, District Officer J.

K. McCarthy, of Rabaul, attended the village council of the Group. The council stated that native lands were scarce, owing to large areas having been alienated during German times, and de spite the existence of native reserves, land was now insufficient for food require ments, if full economical development was to be carried out. The matter is being investigated by officials of the Department of District Services and Native Affairs. * MR. K. C. DOUGLAS, of San Remo Plantation, Talasea District de parted for Australia recently, where he will join his wife and son in Tasmania.

He will place his son at that famous old school in Hobart, ‘Hutchins,” where he was also a pupil. Mr. Douglas is well

known to most Territorians as a most able planter and owner of San Remo. * RECENT visitors to Rabaul during November were Mr. W. R. Humphries, Director of Native Labour, who also paid a visit to Sohano; Mr. W. C. Groves, Director of Education and Mrs. Groves who had an extensive tour, visiting New Ireland and its outlying islands, also Bougainville. Mr. Blair, Tea Expert from Assam, had a short stay in Rabaul during his tour of the Territories. Mr. Moore, of the South-Pacific Commission accom panied by Mr. Cox, inspected and dis cussed Visual Education. Judge E. Big nold, on Supreme Court Circuit, accom panied by Mr. S. Johnson, Crown Law Officer and Mrs. W. Watkins. Dr. John Gunther, Director Public Health, who also visited Sohano, Talasea and Kandrian.

Mr. Trigg, motor and marine expert from the Department of Works and Housing, came on general inspection of all trans port. * MANY people have left Rabaul during the month aboard BP’s two ships, Malaita and Bulolo. It was the last trip of both ships to Australia before Christmas. Among their recent passen gers were District Officer R. M. Farlow: District Officer J. Read and Mrs. Read: Mr. and Mrs. Keith Chambers, and two children; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and five children; Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Bliss, who came from Madang to join the Bulolo; Mrs. Jack Allan, Mrs. Ormond and her daughter, Mrs. J. D. Reid and two child ren.

THE Church of England Ladies’ Guild, ably led V>y Mrs. Shanley as presi dent and Mrs. Hides as secretary, benefited financially this month by two well-organised evening entertainments— a card party held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel made £l2/-/- and the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera, “Princess Ida,” played on a miniature stage with tiny carved figures representing the actors, operated and loaned by Mr. Len Palmer, netted the sum of £6/13/6.

Advertisements & other items, p. 24 (1 item)

C. Sullivan, Inc.

THE “SCOPE”

6-Second Soldering Iron

• New in principle. • Melts solder in 6 seconds. • 150 watt iron performance. • 4-volt accumulator or transformer operation.

Price, 43/6. Trans. 30/-.

R. H. CUNNINGHAM AND CO.

62 Stanhope Street, Malvern, Victoria.

C. Sullivan Pty. Ltd.

379 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, and at Melbourne and Brisbane. have pleasure in announcing that their Associate

C. SULLIVAN, Inc.

230 CALIFORNIA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO,

CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

are prepared to handle consignments of COPRA, COCOA

and GENERAL ISLANDS PRODUCE.

Information on market conditions, prices, etc., gladly supplied.

Expert buying service for American merchandise

CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.

CABLE ADDRESS: "CHASULL," SAN FRANCISCO

Nauru’S Sulky

p. 25

Communities

Time Has Come for a New Outlook

(Contributed) THE 1,500 Chinese labourers employed by the British Phosphate Commis sion on Nauru are well-housed, well fed and well-paid; but they are not well disciplined, and they are “a pain in the neck” to the Australian Administration (which governs Nauru on behalf of the joint Trustees, Britain, Australia and New Zealand).

Before the war, there were about the same number of Chinese, 1,500, here but there was no political or industrial trouble of any kind on Nauru (or, to give it its older name, Pleasant Island). The Chinese, mostly from Hongkong, sought the Nauru labour contract eagerly—the clean, safe life and comparatively good food were very attractive, in comparison with conditions in China. Many of them, repatriated in accordance with their con tract, came back to Nauru again and again.

To-day, there are only Chinese workers on Nauru, and they appear to have been affected by Communist agitators. They are often sulky, aggressive, dissatisfied and unwilling to give a fair day’s toil. Their attitude is generally anti-European.

The problem of maintaining order in the Territory defeated the late Adminis trator, and it is by no means solved. Can berra has appointed a Labour politician from South Australia who does not appear to have had one hour’s practical ex perience of tropical administration, to be the new Governor; but that does not seem the ideal solution.

THERE is trouble also on the native side.

There were some 1,700 native Nauruans there in 1939, but the Japs exterminated some hundreds of them in 1942-45. However, they have made a quick recovery, and they now number nearly 1,500. Before the war, they were a happy, contented community—probably, because they get regular royalties on all phosphate mined, one of the richest native communities in the Pacific.

But their temper has changed. They seem discontented and querulous, and full of grievances. Their grievances seem petty, and mostly imaginary. There are agita tors among them, who encourage them to complain to the Trusteeship Council —to the great embarrassment of the Australian Socialist Government.

There is only one way to restore peace and harmony on Nauru—and that is by firm discipline, based on strict justice. The Chinese and native communities, on this isolated island, if given any encourage ment, will exaggerate their grievances— and, if they have none to exaggerate, they will imagine some. The spectacle of Aus tralian politicians grovelling before them, and urging them to be good little boys, has been a nauseating one during 1949 — and it has achieved nothing. A clear-cut policy, based on justice, and strong police action, are what is needed on Nauru.

A “delegation” from the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations is expected to visit Nauru at an early date. If Can berra is following its policy of recent times —“the Chinese and the natives are always right”—then the idealists and New Planners of UNO probably will just about take Nauru apart.

Miss Elsie Smith, matron of the Metho dist Orphanage, Fiji, who has been on furlough in Melbourne, left on December 2 to return to Fiji, where she has com pleted 21 years’ service.

A regulation to establish a Government Savings Bank in BSI came into force on October 27. Deposits of up to a total of £l,OOO may be deposited at £2 per cent, interest per annum. Deposits in excess of £l,OOO will not be interest-bearing.

On his return from France Father Gag naire, of the Marist Mission, formerly of Poya on the New Caledonian mainland, has been sent to Ouvea, where he will be assisted by Father Regent. Sister Marie- Jean-Baptiste, of the Ouvea mission re cently died. She had been with the mis sion on this island since February, 1890.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 25-26 (1 item)

Trade

To promote

The Bank of New South Wales offers these services:— • Introductions to importers and exporters in oversea countries. • Credit information about residents of those countries, with whom you may wish to trade. • Facilities for making payments abroad and for receiving payments from overseas. • Arrangements for business visits overseas.

Consult any branch of the

BANK OF

NEW SOUTH WALES

FIRST AND LARGEST COMMERCIAL BANK IN THE SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC

HEAD OFFICE: SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA

ISLANDS BRANCES

FIJI: Suva, Lautoka (Agencies at Ba, Nadi Airport, Vatukoula) PAPUA: Port Moresby. NEW GUINEA: Lae, Rabaul, (Incorporated in New South Wales with limited liability) P 14901

"Uiituimnii s

CREME

CHARMOSAN

% * >l*

ADORABLY LOVELY

UNDER POWDER

.iiiiiiinSS

■mihiiiihiim

Charmosan

co|dcPeam

c2 — H l for dut*. «»C

CLEANSES AND

REFRESHES YOUR SKIN

CHARMOSAN

VANISHING AND COLD CREAMS

OUR HANDS MAKE GOOD ARMS

S I l.

For your Fishing and Shooting Wants Consult Us.

Litngow .22 Cal, Repeating Rifles ... £ll 14 Of Post Lithgow ,22 Cal. Single Shot 5 1 3 I Extra.

rO h u 143 ELIZABETH

STREET, SYDNEY.

t J. GOUGH S. CO.

Bond Street, Sydney, Australia Tel. BU 2195. Box 3615 G.P.O.

SUPPLIERS OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE TO LEADING FIRMS THROUGHOUT THE

PACIFIC ISLANDS

Exporters ... Importers Manufacturers' Representatives Bankers: Bank of N.S.W. Bank of Adelaide. Comptolr Nat. d’Escompte de Paris.

Cable Address: "SEAFOODS.” SYDNEY.

Codes: Bentley’s. 2nd and Comp. Phrase; A. 8.0., sth and 6th; Peterson. 2nd and 3rd; Banking; Acme.

Difficulties of Small

p. 26

Gold Cos.

In Papua-New Guinea

Sandy Creek and Enterprise Report

Losses

REPORTS from two New Guinea goldmining companies indicate the crushing difficulties of rehabilita tion, high labour and material costs that have confronted the smaller companies in Papua-New Guinea since the end of the war. After these balance-sheets were made up, however, gold (because of the devaluation of sterling and the Austra lian £ against the dollar), increased from approximately £10 Australian per ounce to £15 Australian. This should boost all gold-mining companies’ profits in the Ter ritory in the current year—if the rot has not gone too far.

Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing

Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing Ltd.,

which operates in the Morobe gold field, New Guinea, has again met considerable ill fortune. The result of it is that for the year ending March 31, 1949, a loss of £4,455 was sustained. In the pre vious year the company showed a profit of £988.

During the period under review 1,192 ounces of gold were recovered from the company’s properties which realised £10,266 or 2/4 per cubic yard. Cost of working averaged 2/9 per cubic yard.

The Sandy Creek property yielded poor results at the latter end of the financial year and torrential rain in February, 1949, broke the race supplying water to the workings. As repairs would have been costly it was decided to abandon opera tions on this property. Revaluation of this property necessitated the writing off of £60,000. t .

The Watut property could not be worked satisfactorily as pre-war water pipes then in use, would not stand the head of water necessary to work the richest, but very deep, ground. Operations had to be confined to ground sluicing of terrace deposits. ... . , Although floods had contributed to losses of the Company early in 1949, drought conditions later took toll. In a report issued in mid-November, on pro

gress made after the close of the financial year, it was stated that from July to Sep tember the water supply to the Watut property was so inadequate that it was de cided to suspend all operations and renew the steel pipes that form the pressure column from the race to the workings:.

Work was resumed during October and for that month 48 ounces of gold were recovered from 3,816 cubic yards of gravel treated.

Enterprise of NG Also Takes Loss

ENTERPRISE of New Guinea Gold and Petroleum Development NL for the year ending August 31, reports a de ficit of £5,744. Loss for 1947-48 was £3,391.

Tai Shek's Appeal Case

p. 26

on December 15 First of its Kind in Fiji

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 27.

THE first sitting of Fiji’s new Court of Appeal will be opened in Suva on December 15. The Court will com prise the Chief Justice, the Puisne Judge and the British Judge in the New Heb rides.

The first appeal set down for hearing is that against the death sentence imposed on Tai Shek at the conclusion of his trial in the Supreme Court, Suva, on Sep tember 26. Tai Shek was found guilty of the murder of T. W. Allen, a British Phosphate Commission engineer, and his wife, at Ocean Island on April 26. Three of the assessors at the trial gave an opinion of “guilty” to his Honor, Mr. R.

C. G. D. Higginson and the remaining two said “not guilty.” Mr. Gordon Bryce ap peared for the Crown and Mr. H. Maurice Scott for the defence.

Automatic Telephones

p. 26

Proposed For Suva

Suva. Nov. 21.

SUVA’S antiquated manual telephone exchange, as every user of the sys tem is well aware, is all but falling apart with age.

The Development Revision Report states that nearly 200 potential sub scribers are waiting for connections and applications are constantly being added, but not another connection can be made.

“Expert advice has been obtained, and assurances have been given that an auto matic system will function satisfactorily in Suva’s damp tropical climate,” the reports states. An allocation of £122.000 for the provision of an automatic system with individual meters has been made.

Annual rental of £4 would be charged and Id. for each call. This, it is estimated, would return a revenue of about £17,300 a year.

Discouragement of Casual Travellers

pp. 27-28

Red Tape In French Oceania

(Contributed)

AN article entitled “Travellers and Currency in New Caledonia” prompts me to write about similar conditions in French Oceania.

Visitors to the fabled island of Tahiti— now a paradise for French officials—are confronted with endless red tape, in place of the traditional hospitality.

When a foreigner arrives he is forced to declare all his currency. That money must either be deposited in the local bank, or converted into francs by the bank, which takes its percentage.

Certain amounts have been fixed as to what a tourist is expected to spend per person per month. For example, an American is obliged to spend 200 dollars per month. Close supervision is kept on all tourists and if they do not spend the fixed amount they are told in no uncer tain terms to leave the colony.

Recently, some tourists were informed in very insulting language that the only reason they were tolerated in Tahiti was because of the need for foreign exchange; and, if they did not spend the prescribed amount, they had no business staying on.

This may be a surprise to those who saw the recent article in PIM which stated that our newest Governor was anxious to encourage the tourist business.

Before the war, if one wished to visit Tahiti, all that was necessary was a round-trip ticket and a visa from the nearest French consul, obtainable in a matter of minutes. Now, a prospective

visitor must pay the consul the fee for a cable to Tahiti and the necessary an swer from the Governor, authorising him to obtain the visa before the consul may issue the visa. Then, one is allowed to buy a round-trip ticket to Tahiti. As stated above all money must be declared on arrival and a close check is maintained on the visitor, as though he were a dan gerous criminal.

If one wants to visit the outer islands— for example, Bora Bora—a letter to the Governor is necessary. Before permis sion is granted the official in charge of such matters carefully consults the bank and, if the visitor is not guilty of the crime of trying to live economically, and has spent his 200 dollars per month, he is allowed to make the visit. If the un suspecting tourist has not spent his quota

of 200 dollars per month, he receives a severe tongue-lashing and is asked to leave the colony, A wonderful French way of developing the tourist trade!

When the tourist leaves, he is made to account for all the money he originally declared and a check is made with the bank to be sure that no discrepancies exist. Then, after a careful search of his luggage, the departing traveller is allowed to go aboard the vessel and de part.

Such an attitude, and way of treating tourists, cannot possibly encourage more to come nor to bring in many dollars. On the other hand, it is a well-known fact that almost all the government officials have traded in the black market. It is widely rumoured that one fonctionnaire recently made over 9,000 dollars in black market currency dealings. Small wonder the colony’s finances are not very stable!

All colonies in the Pacific, interested in developing a tourist trade, would do well, by way of contrast, to look at Bermuda and Nassau, in the Atlantic Ocean. Those two places have the minimum of restric tions and red tape. No passports, no

visas, ho deposits, no cables to governors.

The only requirement is a round-trip ticket. The result is that each prospers, and neither is short on dollars.

Please excuse me for wishing to remain anonymous; my reasons are most ob vious. I live in Tahiti because I like the Polynesians and not the bureaucratic French officials, who systematically drain all the fat off the land.

Advertisements & other items, p. 27 (1 item)

Pacific Islands Trading Co.

Wynne S. Breden Pty. Ltd.

SHIPWRIGHTS, BOAT BUILDERS AND ENGINEERS.

"PHOENIX SHIPYARDS", NEWCASTLE, N.S.W.

Designers, Builders & Outfitters of ISLAND Vessels Work Boats, Cargo Boats and Auxiliary Craft up to 200 tons.

For the RIGHT TIME Rely on WESTCLOX The finest, smartest clocks in Westclox history—that’s what Westclox has in store for you! A wide range of stunning clocks for every room— spring-wound and electric alarm models—wall clocks for your kitchen and time clocks for the living roomyes, wrist and pocket watches, too— all with traditional Westclox dependability and smartness that have made Big Ben and other members of this time-keeping family famous all over the world.

“It’s a Westclox” is the finest thing you can say about a clock or watch.

Some Westclox have luminous dials that you can see in the dark.

You can buy any Westclox with confidence. Look for that trade mark on the dial of the next clock or watch you buy.

• QUALITY •

• •RELIABILITY •

10 Baby Ben —His alarm may be adjusted to loud or soft. Quiet tick. Made in two finishes— ivory and gold colour; also black with nickel trim.

BIG

BEN

Big Ben is made two ways—There’s Big Ben Loud Alarm with booming intermittent call. If you want a more gentle awakening, there’s Big Ben Chime Alarm which first calls you with soft chimes. If you ignore these chimes, there’s a loud calf in reserve.

PACIFIC ISLANDS TRADING CO.

244 CALIFORNIA ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., U.S.A.

The Other Side of the Picture

pp. 28-29

Picture

AFTER "the above article was in type, we had the pleasure of a call, at the PIM offices, from Mr. Anthony Bam bridge, a leading business and public man of Tahiti, who was spending a brief holi

day in Sydney with Mrs. and Miss Bam bridge.

It soon was apparent that Mr. Barn bridge is not only an admirer of the Governor, M. Anziani, and acquainted with the latter’s policy of encouraging the tourist traffic: he also is au fait with the exchange problem in French Oceania.

The Government, says Mr. Bambridge, applies the exchange regulations strictly in order to protect both the tourists and the Tahitians themselves. There are two classes of people whom the Government does not want in Tahiti —the black marketeer in currency, and the beach comber class. The former is a new pest, which has developed since the war. The latter was an old pest, before the war, and the French authorities want to keep him out, now.

The Chinese traders of Tahiti will very willingly give, for United States dollars, far more than the official rate (about 70 Pacific francs to the dollar); and, natur ally, the travellers are happy to part with their dollars on those terms. But, if that kind of trading is not checked, it is inevitable that the cost of goods and service in Tahiti will rise against the holders of dollars.

People from America also arrive from time to time with cars or boats, which eventually they desire to sell. Here, again, there is a chance of black market eering—certain classes in Tahiti are eager to pay, in francs, far more than the French authorities say is the fair value of those things. To guard against infla tion, all such transactions must be very carefully policed.

That is why such firm controls over ex change are clamped on, as described by our contributor.

The insistence that visitors shall spend a certain minimum sum per month is

based on the French authorities’ deter mination to keep out the beachcombing class. In past times, large numbers of Europeans, with slender resources—or with no resources at all—attracted by the charm and ease of life in Tahiti, settled themselves in the country. But a large proportion of them accepted no obliga tion to work —they took fullest advantage of native hospitality, and literally lived on the natives. That created a state of affairs that, socially and economically, was undesirable.

The official view is that if a person does not spend 200 dollars per month on living expenses (normally, about £4O) he is of no use to the Territory, which does not seek permanent new settlers of Euro pean origin. Bona fide tourists and new residents with an assured income are economically useful, and are welcome.

Mr. Bambridge has many interests in Tahiti, but he is chiefly concerned with the theatre business. He has practically a monopoly of the cinema theatres and halls throughout French Oceania. He is a handsome, middle-aged man of charm ing personality, and one of the outstand ing figures of Tahiti.

Advertisements & other items, p. 28 (1 item)

Nelson & Robertson

SOLVE YOUR POWER PROBLEMS

WITH AN

ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY

Aircooled Diesel Engine, 5/6, 7/8, 12/16 H.P

DESIGNED FOR

Power Generating © All Plant Operation

FEATURES:

• COLD STARTING

• PRESSURE LUBRICATION

• FUEL ECONOMY

• COMPACT

• LOW WEIGHT

• BUILT TO OPERATE IN ANY

CLIMATE

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Sole Pacific Agents :

VENTURA TRADING COMPANY PTV. LTD.

26 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY.

CABLES, “VENTURA,” SYDNEY.

Represented by P. &R. HUTCHINSON, Sava. VENTURA TRADE AGENCY, Lae, T.N.G

NELSON and ROBERTSON Pty. Ltd

Established 1895

Shipowners - Brokers and

Islands Merchants

All classes merchandise purchased at Best Wholesale Prices. Original Invoices supplied to Island Clients. Cocoa Beans, Copra, Rubber, Trochus Shell and All Islands' Produce Sold on Commission.

Entrust your requirements to the firm with fifty years' practical experience in the Pacific Islands.

NELSON & ROBERTSON

PTY.

LTD.

12 SPRING STREET, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Telegraphic Address: IVAN, SYDNEY.

A Plea For The ‘Little People’

p. 29

EDITORIAL NOTE.—Mr. Bambridge has given what appears to be a complete answer to the charge that the control of exchange by the French administration is not necessary.

But there is one class that is ignored by officialdom. If the number of inquiries received at the PIM offices is any criterion, there are in the world many thousands of modest people, with slender resources, who are desperately anxious to find, among the Pacific Islands, some pleasant place where they may escape the horrors of “modem civilisation.”

They want a place where they may be far off the tracks of snarling industrialists

and screeching politicians; where the climate is equable and where there are few tropical diseases; where people are friendly and happy, and a livelihood may be taken from a fertile soil with a mini mum of effort. French Oceania conforms to those specifications, and therefore that is the archipelago to which most of these inquirers would go.

But few of them have an income equal to 1,200 dollars a year—most of them have only a limited capital—enough perhaps to take them to Tahiti and establish them in some sort of a home. After that, they

would fend for themselves. However, the Government of French Oceania is not friendly to that kind of immigration. It acknowledges that the majority of such people probably would become admirable citizens—but the system would open the doors, once again, to a choice selection of the world’s loafers, who could be as much of a nuisance in the future as they were before World War 11.

It is a pity. Tahiti became world famous as a lovely, sub-tropical refuge for the “little people”; and there is a general wish that it should be so again.

In Suva Squall

p. 29

Miranda Battered To Death

THIS recent photograph shows all that remains of Miranda, a yacht which once held Australian championships.

Some 15 years ago she was taken to Fiji, where she became one of the fastest boats in the Suva Yacht Club. She survived quite a number of mishaps, but recently

she became involved in an accident which placed her beyond repair. Early one morning a sudden squall endangered all the Club’s boats and the Miranda dragged her moorings and was thrown onto the breakwater in front of the new Clubhouse.

There, in spite of all efforts, and the help of a gang of 15 prisoners, rushed from the nearby compound, she was pounded to pieces. She now lies inside the prison compound, and is a total loss. Mr.

Robert Hutchinson, who supplied the photograph, says he thinks she was built in Sydney by Lars Halvorsen.

Mrs. C. Ryder, accompanied by her two children, returned to Rabaul recently by the Malaita after spending seven months holiday in Sydney.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 29-30 (1 item)

Pate de Foie. 12-oz. Meatreat. 16-oz. Beef Steak Pudding. 16-oz. Braised Beef Steak Stew. 16-oz. Steak & Kidney Pudding. 16-oz. Steak and Tomato. 16-oz. Sausages and Vegetables. 16-oz. Bacon Rashers. 16-oz. Irish Stew. 12-oz. Meat and Beans. 16-oz. Beef Sairsages. 16-oz. Pork Sausages. 16-oz. Cambridge Sausages. 16-oz. Oxford Sausages. • 16-oz. Vienna Sausages. • 16-oz. Tomato Soup. • 16-oz. Dripping. • "OX and PALM" 16-oz. Corned Beef with Cereal. • 6-lb. Corned Beef with Cereal. •

"FLAIR"

4, 8, 12 oz. Fish Cutlets. • 8-oz. Scallop Luncheon. • I l|-oz. Squab in Aspic. • 7-lb. or 16-oz. Tinned Prunes. • Also Salted Boneless Brisket Beef • in 50-lb. and 100-lb. Kegs . . .

Frozen Meats, Hams and Bacon.

IMPERIAL CANNED , ’'FLAVOUR - SEALED"

Imperial goods are prepared from prime selected stock by the largest meat-processing organisation in Australia. You can be sure of top-quality when you order ''Imperial.” * > am t • good food 5

RIVERSTONE

MEAT CO.

PTY. LTD.

5-7 O’Connell Street.

Sydney.

Fiji Representatives: Pearce & Co. Ltd., Suva.

IDEAL FOR THE ISLANDS...

The Famous

ATCO Products!

ATCO-BOATIMPELLER

■fZ

MHSfi/,

• Simple to handle • Light—easily carried Surprisingly economical It's easy starting, has smooth power and gives trouble-free performance.

ATCOSCYTHE

m iro 7/#//7 Cut time and labour costs with this dependable machine. It's eight to twelve times as rapid as hand-scything. Ideal for cutting long grass, weeds, tall undergrowth, etc.

Just fill in the coupon below for illustrated booklets which will be sent post free. m ii m : I}

ATCO MOTOR MOWER

There's a full range from the 12 and 14 inch models up to the 17, 20, 28 and 34 inch for big-area requirements. The ATCO is a self-contained unit and will go anywhere.

MOTOR TRACTORS PTY. LTD. MATAD THT? A 369-385 Wattle Street, Ultimo, Sydney. ITX W X Ufi X XVijLVy X VXXVkJ Please send me Atco Booklets. ■

► name I PTY. LIMITED

ADDRESS I 369-385 Wattle Street, Ultimo, Sydney Telegrams: “Sellmotors,” Sydney.

Now Need

p. 31

Fiji Does Not

More Export Tax

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 25.

DESPITE the ringing of alarm bells at intervals since the publication of the correspondence between the Gover nor of Fiji and the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject of the pro posed copra tax and the raising, at least temporarily, of the sugar export tax, neither levy will be brought up again at the present Budget session of the Legis lative Council.

The Governor (Sir Brian Freeston), in his opening address, at the Legislative Council, said: “At this time last year the honourable unofficial members of this council declared their conversion, with remarkable unan imity, to the economic doctrine that all export taxes are radically vicious.”

The Government, he continued, re mained firmly of the opinion that taxes on exported commodities, for which the price received by the producer showed a substantial margin over his costs of pro duction, were a fair, proper and conveni ent means of raising revenue.

Referring -to the published correspon dence between himself and the Secretary of State, Sir Brian said: “I venture to ex press the hope that the study which they have no doubt given to the facts and arguments in support of the true faith set out in Council Paper No. 21 of 1949, will have reconverted them from this moment ary lapse into economic heresy.”

“Be that as it may,” the Governor con tinued, “I wish to make it clear beyond

any possibility of ambiguity that, if and when the time should come for looking for fresh sources of revenue, nothing that has been said or done in the last 12 months will deter me or my successors in office from regarding export taxes on prosperous commodities as a wholly legitimate source of such additional revenue.”

The Governor repeated his statement, made during previous debates on the sub ject, that the Government had no inten tion of increasing taxes merely for the sake of taxation.

At the present time, he said, the Gov ernment’s fiscal requirements for 1950 seemed likely to be fully covered without the need for new taxation. “I do not propose to introduce a copra export tax, even at nominal rates, at this session,” he added, “or to move for the reimposition of an export tax on sugar.”

There was, however, an additional fac tor. The revised Development Plan en visaged the borrowing on the external market for the developmental purposes of something over £1,000,000.

“We see no necessity for any such bor rowing in 1950, but in 1951, or at any rate in 1952, we shall probably wish to place, in London or perhaps in Wellington or Sydney, the first instalment of a De velopment Loan,” said the Governor, and quoted the repeated London injunction that the British Government’s support for external borrowing by Fiji would depend on its being satisfied that local resources were being fully utilised.

Such an attitude was eminently reason able in the interests of both the lender and the borrower, and if these oossible circumstances arose, and if the Govern ment found that copra, or sugar, or both, could stand an export tax without detri ment, it would have no hesitation what ever in imposing it, the Governor con cluded.

WITH revenue at a little over £3,101,000 and expenditure at £2,922,000, the Financial Secretary has budgeted for a surplus of just over £179,000.

The Government subsidy on imported flour, reintroduced after the rise in price which followed the September devaluation of currencies, is estimated at £150,000. (This will keep the price in Fiji down to a pound.) To prevent a rise in the price of petrol and petroleum products a resolution has been moved in the council to reduce the duty on petrol by sd. a gallon and on kerosene by 4d. a gallon. These reduc tions will cost £70,000 a year.

The plural of spouse is spice.

Your Eye

p. 31

The Twinkle in Your Eye

Comes From Active

Digestion

Good normal digestive and liver activity means good, normal health and fitness. If you are becoming gloomy and feel tired out, the cause may be a congested state of your Intes tinal tract. So many people are troubled with constipation, which, through the retention of waste In the digestive system, causes sick head ache, biliousness, pimply skin, unpleasant breath, irritability, slackness and dull eyes.

Regain your bright and attractive appearance by banishing constipation with Plnkettes. Tiny, perfectly harmless, gentle yet effective, these famous laxative and liver pills painlessly exercise and strengthen the bowels, keep the food tract clean and active, stir the liver, and thus banish sick headache, bilious attacks, pimples, un pleasant breath and gloom. All chemists and stores sell Pinkettes, the perfect laxative and liver pills.

Advertisements & other items, p. 31 (1 item)

Burns Philp (South Sea) Go. Ltd.

Registered Office: SUVA, FIJI

Code Address: "BURNSOUTH”

ISLAND TRADERS AND SHIPOWNERS

General Merchants (Wholesale and Retail)

Shipping, Customs and General Agents

7? inv* QUEENSLAND INSURANCE CO., LTD. BURNS PHILP TRUST CO., LTD.

Distributing Agents for :

SHELL COMPANY (P.L), LTD. FERGUSON TRACTORS

STANDARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY CROSSLEY MARINE ENGINES

BRANCHES:

FIJI—

SAMOA—

SUVA.

LEVXJKA.

LAUTOKA.

LAB ASA.

BA.

SIGATOKA.

ROTUMA ISLAND.

NORFOLK IS.—

APIA.

PAGO PAGO.

TONGA-

NUKUALOPA,

HAAPAI.

VAVAU.

NIUE IS.—

Sydney Agents:

BURNS. PHILP & CO.. LTD.,

7 Bridge Street.

London Agents:

BURNS, PHILP & CO., LTD.,

35 Crutched Friars, E.C.3.

San Francisco Agents;

BURNS, PHILP CO. OP SAN FRANCISCO

Matson Building, 215 Market Street, Agencies Throughout the World.

Australian-Samoan

p. 32

Trade

A Good Chance Is Being Missed

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia. Dec. 1.

THE devaluation of the £ Sterling has had a marked effect in Western Samoa, where—probably because

most of Western Samoa’s cocoa is sold in the American market —there always has been a large importation of American goods.

All purchases for which dollars are re quired are now sharply restricted and, while the present situation lasts, Western Samoa must turn elsewhere for the goods which customarily have been brought in from the United States.

There has been some move here to in sist that the tariff should be adjusted to

give American goods the same duties as are enjoyed by British goods—but under present conditions little is expected to come of that.

Australian manufacturers and exporters should note that they have an excellent opportunity at present of capturing prac tically the whole of the Western Samoan market. The depreciation of the Austra lian £, in relation to both the British and New Zealand £, and the ban on the use of American dollars, means that Austra lian goods can be landed in Western Samoa at rates with which British and other goods simply cannot compete. Fur thermore, Australian goods in this country have a good reputation in regard to quality.

Australia’s greatest present disability in this connection is the lack of a direct shipping service between Australia and Western Samoa. This, combined with the apparent reluctance of Australian ex porters to send commercial travellers here with samples, means that many dis tributors in Western Samoa who would like to try out the Australian lines are forced to buy British and New Zealand goods. Why do not Australian exporters combine, to exploit these markets?

Australia imports a lot of cocoa—it is strange that Australia does not buy the excellent product of the Samoan cocoa plantations. This would help Samoan- Australian trade considerably.

It seems that there is need of some vigorous agency to publicise and straighten out these things.

In the Western Pacific High Commission Gazette of October, and under the Native Status Ordinance, 1941, three men of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony were declared non-native. They are Robert Leonard Sutherland, George John Brech tefeld, and John Armstrong Murdock.

Advertisements & other items, p. 32 (1 item)

Australian Interstate Agencies

CAPTAIN W. L. KENNEDY

Established 1931.

Shipbrokers, Business & Real Estate

63 Pitt St., Sydney

'Phone: BW 6461

LISTING FOR SALE:

Diesel Cargo Vessels, Tugs, Seine Trawlers, Army Work-boats, Deep Sea Fishing and Trap Boats, Island Ketches, Cruisers, Auxiliaries, Speed Craft, 16 and 18 ft. Half-Cabin Runabouts, and other good Craft of all types.

Agent for several known makes of Diesel Engines.

AT.I. INQUIRIES PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO

Through our Real Estate Department, we can supply information on Land, Homes, and Businesses in the State of New South Wales.

For ALL PROCUREMENT ENQUIRIES Hongkong & Far East Merchandise

Consult: —

AUSTRALIAN INTERSTATE AGENCIES

(15 Years 7 Pacific Islands Experience) EXPORTERS OF ALL TRADE GOODS & CHINA PRODUCTS

CANE FURNITURE

RUBBER FOOTWEAR

VACUUM FLASKS

BROCADES

TEXTILES

PLASTIC RAINCOATS

CAMPHOR-WOOD CHESTS

FLASHLIGHTS

BASKET-WARE

CURIOS

UMBRELLAS

ENAMELWARE, BOWLS, ETC.

Direct connections with manufacturers and personal inspection

of all cargoes

QUOTATIONS AND FULL INFORMATION AIRMAILED UPON REQUEST

AUSTRALIAN INTERSTATE AGENCIES

G.P.O. BOX 2207, HONGKONG. Cable Address: "Austproduct," Hongkong.

Millions For Fiji

p. 33

Plans For Development and Social Services

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 21.

FIJI’S post-war Ten-Year Plan, which came partly unstuck when the Sec retary of State for the Colonies asked for more emphasis on productive de velopment and less on purely welfare schemes, has been put together again by the Development Revision Committee, ap pointed last year.

The committee, of which the Governor (Sir Brian Freeston) is chairman, has drawn up a plan involving the expenditure of £4,250,000 between 1949 and 1958, ap proximately as follows: — Economic development £1,500,000 Communications extensions and general £1,500,000 Social services £1,000,000 In reserve £200,000 The £4,250,000 is made up of the £1,000,000 (sterling) allotted to Fiji by Great Britain under the Colonial Develop ment and Welfare Act, plus £85,000 which, it is hoped, will come by way of grants from the Colonial Development and Wel fare Funds for research and survey needs, plus £2,000,000 which, the committee re commends, should be raised by local or overseas loans.

In addition, the committee proposes that for the next nine years, £50,000 should be provided each year from public revenue for development works and that £636,690 be appropriated from surplus balances for development.

If this year’s working should show a surplus the greater part of it will be added to the appropriation, and borrowing reduced accordingly.

The proposals allocate £1,531,942, or 36.05 per cent., to schemes relating to production and to the development of natural resources.

The largest item is £566,000, as contri bution to the Navua River hydro-electric scheme, followed by £445,000 for feeder roads and £150,000 for agricultural and in dustrial credit.

Sums of £50,000 for aerial survey, as a preliminary to land development, and of £26,700, for forestry development, are pro vided.

Social Services

SOCIAL services account for £1,077,507, or 25.35 per cent. This comprises:— £245,942 for the Suva Medical Centre; £200,000 for the Suva water supply; £lOO,OOO for Queen Victoria School (this grant was approved by the Secretary of State last February, after disclosures of the state of neglect into which this famous all-Fijian school had been per mitted to fall had produced a storm of public indignation); £BO,OOO for industrial housing; £59,500 for seven Indian central schools; £58,000 for an educational building pool.

The report states: “We cannot agree that expenditure on social services, as they are called, must necessarily be regarded as uneconomic. A country cannot be econ omically healthy if its people are physic ally unfit. It cannot achieve maximum output if its workers are unable to contri bute sustained and energetic work because of ill health or recurring sickness. Simi larly a country cannot progress if its in habitants are illiterate and unskilled.”

Suva Point Airport

OF the proposed expenditure of £1,500,000 under the heading “Communications and General,” the largest item is £340,000, as Fiji’s contribution to the in ternational airport at Suva Point.

The report makes it clear that the com mittee allocated this sum “with consider able diffidence.”

However, it states, the allocation re presents only one-sixth of the total cost of an irremovable asset, which will always be useful for regional and local services.

“Whatever the ultimate verdict of pos terity,” the report adds, “we are convinced at this stage that Fiji stands to lose nothing and may gain much from an in ternational airport. It is at all events worth taking a chance.”

Lautoka’s new electricity plant, installed by the Fiji PWD Department, is now in full operation. Extensions outside the

town will be completed next year. Mr. N.

G. Turley is electrical foreman in charge.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 33-34 (1 item)

Kolynos

KODAK FILMS

and all Photographic Supplies

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

CAINE'S STUDIOS

P.O. Box 8, Suva Photographers. Est. 1904.

Write for free price lists.

YOU SAVE MONEY WHEN

YOU USE KOLYNOS

YOU

NEED

ONLY

HALF

INCH

ON h 0 *

YOUR

A O v

BRUSH

❖ * c> o n V V \ % fc s a & $ / so

CONCENTRATED\

ONE TUBE LASTS

AS LONG AS TWO

TUBES OF ORDINARY

V TOOTH PASTE J

& & & I i?

V v *

KOLYNOS

DENTAL CREAM

TASTES BETTER CLEANS BETTER LASTS LONGER

7a •as m

From

Australia’s

Finest Fat

Stock ..

BRONTE BRAND:

• Chili Con Came • Braised Steak and Onions • Curried Beef • Curried Mutton • Steak and Onions • Mutton and Peas • Irish Stew • Beef Steak Pudding • Corned Beef Hash • Corned Beef Loaf With Cereal • Mutton Broth • Mulligatawny Soup • Tomato Soup • Vegetable Soup From the finest fat stock and the rich-

est vegetables in Australia we produce

these high-grade canned meats and

soups. BRONTE BRAND meats,

hotmeals and soups are deliciously

flavoured and are made from

ONLY meats and vegetables

of the highest quality. . . . ★

THE COLONIAL WHOLESALE MEAT CO.

PTY. LTD.

Canning Factory, State Abattoirs, Homebush Bay, Sydney.

N.S.W.

CABLE ADDRESS;

PHONE: UM 8436. WOOLMILL. SYDNEY.

a & p m ?.***

All Quiet on Fiji’s Industrial Front

p. 35

Governor Reviews Position

Suva, Nov. 25.

NO major upheavals, no startling changes and no memorable events had been recorded in Fiji in the last year, said the Governor (Sir Brian Free ston) when opening the Budget Session of the Legislative Council to-day.

“Thanks to the good sense and the goodwill of all concerned, we have not been vexed with the stupidities of indus trial strife,” he said, and added that there were encouraging signs that the various races in Fiji were finding that they had more and more in common.

Fiji was fortunate to be able to record that the year had brought her undisturbed peace, prosperity and a mild measure of progress. Although the Colony’s total turnover in external trade up to the end of October was, at more than £11,500,000, nearly £500,000 less than the figure for the first ten months of 1948, it still re presented nearly £5O a head of the popu lation per annum, and the decline was partly accounted for by the fall in copra exports as a result of the devastating December hurricane.

MATERIAL progress had been retarded by the continuing shortages of man power, machinery and materials, and by the fact that final approval of the De velopment Plan was still awaited. Never theless, without waiting for this approval, spending on new works was going on at the rate of about £150,000 per annum.

“If anyone asks what we have to show for that expenditure,” said Sir Brian, “I would suggest a personal visit of inspec tion to the Walu Bay reclamation, to the

Agricultural Station at Koronivia, or to the beginnings of the new Queen Victoria School at Ngoma Point.”

In the course of his address the Gov ernor announced that he intended to make a brief visit to London early in 1950, and that one of the objects of his journey will be to persuade the powers-that-be in Lon don that Fiji’s Development Plan is the best that can be devised, and to secure final approval for it.

Referring to the report of the Select Committee on Constitutional Reform, which was tabled at the August session of the Legislative Council and will be de bated during the present session, the Gov ernor said; “When, and not until, I am in possession of the views of the unofficial members as a body I shall be able to forward those

views to the Secretary of State together with my own comments,” he said, and ex pressed a hope that certain constitutional matters not touched upon in the report would be raised, particularly the questions of admitting women to the voters’ roll and of altering the property qualifications now required from electors and candidates.

Council Extension?

THE Governor pointed out that under the law the present Legislative Council would be dissolved in the latter part of 1950 and a general election would follow.

“The inconvenience of holding a general election at a time when the constitution is in the melting-pot—when constituencies are being rearranged, new voters’ lists prepared and so forth, is so manifest and obvious that it may be considered desir able to invite the Secretary of State’s approval for prolonging the life of this present Council for one year. This is ad vanced merely as a suggestion, and I shall be much interested to learn how it commends itself to my unofficial friends.”

Advertisements & other items, p. 35 (1 item)

Thomas Brown & Sons Ltd.

Woven Wire for all industry

COPRA DRYING TRAYS, FLOORS, Etc.

FRUIT DRYING TRAYS, MINING SCREENS.

Heavy Mosquito Gauze in Phosphor Bronze and other Metals Impervious to Salt Sea Air.

WIRE DOOR MATS AND GENERAL WIRE WORKS

E. WRIGHT & CO. LTD.

Office and Works: 148-152 Cleveland Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

Telegraphic Address: “Wrlghtmake," Chippendale.

THOMAS BROWN & Sons Ltd.

Merchants, Manufacturers and Distillers Wines and Spirits, Foodstuffs, Drapery, Clothing, Textiles, Stationery, Hardware, and Fancy Goods.

Our Manufactures include :

TOPS FOODSTUFFS, ESQUIRE SHIRTS AND CLOTHING,

BEENLEIGH POT STILL RUM, DUNCAN'S GIN, MARTIN'S

AUSTRALIAN WHISKY, GRAND ESTATE BRANDY, ETC.

Special attention given to Island inquiries

EAGLE STREET, BRISBANE

Fiji Representatives At

p. 36

Empire Games

PUR Fijian athletes, Mataika Tuica kau, Orisi Dewa, Manasa Nukuvou and Luke Tunabuna, are at present in training in preparation for the British Empire Games which are to be held at Auckland next February. They are being trained by Mr. H. M. McMillan of Nasinu Training College, who is to go to New Zealand as manager-coach. The perfor mances of the four men are being watched

and a decision will be made later as to which of them are to represent Fiji at the Games.

The Fiji Bowling Association intends to send representatives to the Games.- A Selection Committee met in late November to choose the members of the team.

Mrs. M. H. Jewell, of Lolorua Rubber Plantation, Kanosia, Papua, returned to the Territory by air in mid-December after a visit to Sydney.

South African Yacht On

p. 36

World Cruise

From a Special Correspondent

Vila, Nov. 1.

ON . the morning of October 15, a strange vessel was seen lying in Vila Harbour. We tried to read her flag.

Some averred she was Dutch; others said Belgian.

But it was the South African flag, and the vessel was the yacht Cariad I. She is 140 ft. long, and graceful and shapely as an albatross. Below her flush deck, the saloon, lounge and sleeping accommoda tion are spacious, and even luxurious, so that her personnel of eight travel in real comfort.

Mr. A. Flitton, of Capetown, is the owner and the captain is Mr. T.

Orzechowski, of Poland, an efficient and likeable young navigator, who speaks English with fluency and an engaging accent. The chief of the galley is Joe, a glistening, smiling, S. African negro, who holds down his important position to everyone’s satisfaction. There are two young Englishmen, recently from Eng land; and the other three are South African-born Britishers.

The Cariad I is on a leisurely world cruise, and already has visited the Galapagos, Tahiti. Samoa. Tonga, and Fiji. Soon she will be leaving the New Hebrides for Lord Howe island, and then Sydney, where she will remain until after the hurricane season.

Cuthbert’s Misima Goldmine, Eastern Papua, reports: The clean-up figures for period ended October 23 (delayed until November owing to late arrival of sul phuric acid) are—Ore crushed. 283 tons, producing 409 oz. of bullion, with gold contents of 51 oz. and silver content of 41 oz.

Advertisements & other items, p. 36 (1 item)

BURNS PHILP (New Hebrides) LTD,

Registered Office: VILA, NEW HEBRIDES

Branch Office at SANTO

Exporters, Importers and General Merchants

(Retail and Wholesale) Commission, Shipping

and Customs Agents

Representatives for BURNS PHILP TRUST COMPANY LIMITED, QUEENS- LAND INSURANCE CO., LTD., and LLOYD’S OF LONDON. Agents for SOCIETE DES PETROLES SHELL DES ILES FRANC AISES DU PACIFIQUE, and numerous overseas manufacturers of all classes of merchandise.

Sydney Agents: Burns, Philp & Co., Ltd., 7 Bridge Street.

San Francisco Agents: Burns, Philp Co. of San Francisco, Matson Building, 215 Market Street.

London Agents; Burns, Philp 8t Co., Ltd., 35 Crutched Friars, E.C.3.

Corrugated Aluminium Roofing Sheets*

COOL

LIGHT

ALL

PERMANENT

A building material has now emerged which can meet the huge demand for homes, schools, industria

buildings Corrugated Aluminium Roofing Sheets.

As a protection against sun heat, Corrugated Aluminium Roofing has proved most effective. No special maintenance is required; no protective painting is necessary ; and Corrugated Aluminium Roofing * for every type of resists the corrosive atmosphere of marine and industrial regions.

Corrugated Aluminium Roofing is available as listed here: GAUGES: 26, 24, 23. 22, 20 and 18 s.w.g.

WIDTHS; 26" or 32" (Eight 3" corrugations and ten 3" corrugations respectively).

LENGTHS: 6', 7', B', 9'. 10', 11' and 12' in exact feet. construction

ALUMINIUM UNION LIMITED

( Incorporated in the Dominion of Canada ) Principal British Commonwealth Distributor of Aluminium Ocean House. 34 Martin Place, Sydney. An ALUMINIUM LIMITED Company.

Sales Agents for New Zealand Richardson McCabe & Co. Ltd.

Wellington Auckland Christchurch Sales Agents for Fiji, Western Samoa and Tonga: Morris Hedstrom Limited Suva, Fiji

Dutch Leaving

p. 37

Indonesia

40,000 For Western New Guinea

AVERY interesting migration of Dutch people from Java, has commenced, since the formation of “the Repub lic of the United States of Indonesia” was announced.

The Dutchmen —most desirable settlers —are seeking a new home; and it looks as if New Zealand will benefit. The Dutch might have been expected to move next door, into Australia: but they have not forgotten how Australia, guided and directed by its wharf labourers assisted the Indonesians against the Dutch, in 1946-49.

Further to AAP- Reuter reports from Batavia, advising the departure of two Skymasters, carrying Dutch ex-Service men migrating to New Zealand, it can be stated that another group of 100 Dutch migrants will probably be following in December or January.

The impression the first group of new settlers made, on arrival in Auckland, was so good that the New Zealand authorities immediately made application for a further batch of ex-soldiers.

Many thousands of Dutch soldiers in Indonesia will be demobilised within the coming six months, and a great number who realise the difficulties of making an existence in their already over-populated homeland are anxious to migrate to the South Pacific.

Some months ago, the Australian Press publicised plans then in preparation for the migration of a great number of Dutch ex-Servicemen to Australia, but nothing more has been heard of it. Probably the wharf labourers did not approve.

Move Into New Guinea

THE first plane carrying migrants from Indonesia to Dutch New Guinea was to leave Java about the middle of December, It is expected that before the end of 1949, 8,000 new settlers will arrive in Dutch New Guinea. Many others will follow during the first half of 1950, and present estimates are that a total number of 40,000 will then be reached.

The first arrivals will commence build ing houses and camps. They will settle in Sorrong, Manokwari and Hollandia, close to the border of Australian New Guinea.

IT was announced on November 29 that the Australian Waterside Workers’

Federation had graciously consented to discuss with other waterside unions a proposal that, as the Indonesians now have gained their independence, the ban upon working Dutch shipping in Austra lian ports should be lifted.

On December 3, a conference of 17 Aus tralian Unions decided to lift the Ban, at the request of the Waterside Workers’

Federation.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Dr. Evatt, nominally in charge of Australia’s foreign policy—and who. by permitting the waterside ban on Dutch ships, has clearly accepted his instructions from the Com munist-led waterside union—was fighting hard to retain his own seat of Barton in Sydney suburbs. The “wharfies’ ban” was being used against him; but, up to date, he had not been induced to say one word in defence of Australia’s attitude on the Dutch-Indonesian prob lem.

The waterside workers imposed the ban in September, 1945. Originally it applied to the export of war weapons to Indonesia.

In July, 1947, it was extended to all car goes. It is estimated that it has cost Australia £6O million worth of trade.

Servants Mooted

p. 37

Pay Rise For Fiji Civil

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 25.

11HE Governor of Fiji (Sir Brian Free ston) at the opening of the present session of the Legislative Council emphasised the grave difficulty with which the Fiji Government is faced in maintaining and replenishing its profes sional services—a difficulty due largely to the meagre level of remuneration which prevails in Fiji compared with other parts of the Colonial Empire.

He said that a Salaries Commissioner

was being sent to the Colony by the Sec retary of State for the Colonies and would arrive about March to investigate the position.

It was likely that Fiji thereafter would have to find more money for at least some categories of its civil servants.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 37-38 (1 item)

Robert Gillespie

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS SOCIETY

(Founded 1937) Visitors from the Pacific Islands to Sydney, nr persons interested in Islands affairs, are invited to communicate with the Honorary Secretary of the above Society which was formed to constitute a social centre for those interested in the Pacific Islands.

Regular meetings and social gatherings, with lectures, are held at History House, 8 Young Street, Sydney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at 8 p.m.

Address for correspondence:—

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS SOCIETY

Box 2434, G.P.0., Sydney.

WUOLESALEfIktRCHANTS

MANUFACTURERS AGENTS

V * % / f m

CVS

E <2 S? 2 s* vv 6.

CE V

ROBERT GILLESPIE

NEW GUINEA LTD

HEAD OFFICE LAE

BRANCH OFFICE RABAUL

±tv ROBERT GILLESPIE PTY.LTD. 5

KASPER Superior SODA FOUNTAINS

‘IKASJPJTJR' SUPER SODA FO DINT AII IN IN 0 6

SPECIALLY MADE FOR TROPICAL CONDITIONS

SODA FOUNTAIN 19 feet long, 33 inches high serving side k 29 inches side.

FRAME 2 inch Angle Iron Frame, 4KLDED construction, rust-proofed FOUNTAIN TOP •18 gauge, mirror finish, English, stainless steel.

SERVING' SIDS 20 gauge, satin finish, stainless steel.

SURROUND Special rust-proofed aluminium finish, wide range of colours.

Glass Rinser Milk Shake Mixer Swivel tap INSULATION Special insulation 4 ins Spanish cork board on bottom sides & top, heavily pitched and sealed. 2 Arm Soda Stationr * Drip Trey k 2 Running Viater 4 Syrup Jars Disher Vat Spoon Receptac Ice Cream Freezing Head extra to fountain.

Complete with 1/3 hp motor and fittings plus switch. ice Cream Head

6 special l 3 gauge,

stainless steel, mirror finish, interlocking raised hinge. Soda Fountain Lids.

Hermetically sealed Waterproof.

Surround Raised non-splash lip Towel rail-p Sink taps

Storage rack^

Rubbish Shute ✓? tfo Syrup & Ice Block maker m

KEY

Refrigerator unit located here Drain Board, swivel tap k Double sinks welded into drain board Bottle storage or food storage compartment (1J cubic feet)

SECTION DIAGRAM

Section plus Fruit Salad Chrome wheel valves lor thermo-sypnoning brine.

Enables operator to easily regulate temperature iruit juice end soda sections.

Section Section Section Section Double Hole for Soda a later Coils, Container on top of coil space.

Double Hole lor Fruit Juices.

Double Hole for Milk and/or Fruit Juices Double Hole for serving Ice Cream Double Hole Ice Cream hardening section Double Hole opening coneisting of one * half hole storage space for ice blocks and/or ice cream.

Each •Kasper* Super Fountain fitted with Swiss •Sspter* tnermeetatic valves.

KASPER NO. 6 TROPICAL INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL SODA FOUNTAIN

Complete with ICE CREAM MAKING MACHINE

SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TROPICAL CONDITIONS .

Kasper Superior Soda Fountain of all

stainless steel welded construction

surfaces.

COMPLETE FOUNTAINS, INCLUDING METAL RUST PROOF

SURROUND, CARBONATORS AND REFRIGERATOR UNITS

SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA THROUGH YOUR AGENT

For beauty, for low lifetime cost, for convenience, for dependability, for profit-making power, “Kasper” Fountains stand supreme in Australia to-day. The “Kasper” Fountain is years ahead of conventional models. Every detail has been thoroughly worked out and tested in the factory and in use.

“Kasper” superior fountains are of all steel, lifetime construction with stainless steel, WELDED surfaces and chromeplated fittings. Adequate cork board insulation helps assure

lowest operating costs.

ORDER NOW AND AVOID DELAY

Kasper Refrigerators Pty. Ltd.

77 RAILWAY PARADE, ERSKINEVILLE, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA

Telephone: LA 1326

Maclaren-King Ii

pp. 39-40

Mrs. F. S. Stewart, proprietress of the Cecil Hotel, Lae, New Guinea, was in Syd ney in November. She reports that, after years of delay, the construction of her new hotel at Lae is at last under way.

She came to Sydney to meet her sister

and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hum bert, who had just arrived. They left New Guinea over ten years ago, to visit Europe, and got caught up in the war in Germany, where they were obliged to re main for some years. Mrs. Humbert was

formerly Mrs. Baldie, and she had charge of the Lae Hotel when Mrs. Stewart ran her original hotel at Wau. Flying-Officer Gofton (a son of Mrs. Stewart by her former marriage) and Squadron-Leader Baldie (Mrs. Baldie’s only son) were both in the Royal Air Force when World War II came, and both lost their lives.

This motor vessel was built by Norman R. Wright, of Brisbane, in 1948, under the direction of Canon M. A. Warren, Secretary of the Australian Board of Missions for the New Guinea Anglican Mission. Length, 68 ft. 3 in.; beam, 16 ft. 10 in.; and it has a 114 h.p. Gardner diesel engine. Speed on trials was 9.67 knots. Maclaren-King ll—replacing the first Maclaren-King which was taken over by the Army and lost during the war—is based on Samarai, and serves all the Anglican Mission stations on the north-east coast of Papua and New Guinea. by courtesy A.B.M.

No more Australian citrus fruit is to be allowed into Fiji this season because of the discovery in a small consignment of oranges recently of larvae of the Queensland fruit fly. An announcement issued in Suva by the Department of Agriculture stated that the larvae were found during an inspection of fruit which

arrived on the steamer Rona. The Queens land fruit fly, the scientific name for which, is dacus tryoni, is one of the most undesirable of all pruit pests, and so far has evaded the large-scale and expensive attempts of the Australian fruit authorities to eradicate it. It will attack almost any kind of fruit.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 39-40 (1 item)

a^PLIOh

KANGAROO BRAND

Ropes,

Cordage,

and Twines for every purpose Backed by 86 years of service Manufactured by:

M. DONAGHY AND SONS,

Pty. Ltd., Geelong and Sydney.

Fiji Representatives:

PEARCE AND CO.

LIMITED

P.O. BOX 237, SUVA

ONE HORSEPOWER

PETROL ENGINES

The Amplion makes the most of your petrol, runs longer on a tankful, 8 to 10 hours to the gallon. It’s light in weight too —40 lb.

Obviously the best proposition for driving:

ELECTRIC

LIGHTING PLANTS

Bring you brilliant electric light in your home, week-ender or plantation.

Low operating and initial costs. Treated for the tropics. * Press button starting. * Q * 300 watts output. + 12 and 32 volt models. * Weight 70 lb. \ hole borers— mi m Special Islands

PRICE :

£6O/11/6 Pumps—Compressors—Post Lawn mowers—Saws —Shearing Machines— Crutching Machines—Spraying outfits —Concrete Mixers —Concrete Vibrators —Milking Machines.

★ 4 CYCLE AIR COOLED DESIGN

★ FULL FLOAT CARBURETTOR

★ EFFICIENT AIR CLEANER

F. 0.8.

PRICE:

£36/0/6 F. 0.8.

DISTRIBUTORS THROUGHOUT

AUSTRALIA AND THE ISLANDS

a^PLIOh

(Australasia) Pty. Ltd. 36-40 Parramatta Road, Camperdown.

Telegrams: Amplion, Sydney Telephone: LA2828 (6 lines)

N. F. Maloney & Co.

Phone 268, PORT MORESBY phone 268 - Cables, Radios, etc., “Malco,” Port Moresby.

CUSTOMS, SHIPPING, AND FORWARDING AGENTS,

LICENSED AUCTIONEERS AND GENERAL COMMISSION

AGENTS.

House, Land, and Estate Agents.

Chief Agents:

NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE CO. LTD.

(Incorporated in New Zealand) FIRE . . ACCIDENT . . MOTOR VEHICLE . . MARINE, ETC.

Importers and Exporters :: Manufacturers Representatives.

Australian Representatives : E. J. GOUGH & CO., 1 BOND STREET, SYDNEY.

* • • • 'J*

SMOOTH MANCS

c » 5C 0 J > PH UL>£ iS V * > v o^

MAKE-UP

\ BASE

*% 5v tor* .v A K S 3 O s I

SMOOTH

SKIM

These goods are stocked by all the leading stores of the Pacific Islands. Order through your usual channels. Further enquiries to.

J. C.’Merrillees Pty. Ltd., Sydney

Death Of Captain W. H. Luff

p. 40

From Our Own Correspondent DARU, Papua. Nov. 13.

NEWS reached Mr. L. Luff, of Daru, this week, of the death at Madang of his father, Captain W. H. Luff.

Captain Luff arrived in this Division in 1900 and left in 1916. During this period he operated pearling fleets and was en gaged in trading. He then saw service in Northern Territory and returned to New Guinea in 1922.

In the late 90’s Captain Luff was manager of Nolans, in Geraldton, Qld. (now known as Innisfail). He was bom in Salisbury, England, in 1870. Many friends will learn with sorrow of his pass ing—again, New Guinea is the poorer through the death of another pioneer.

Morris Hedstrom Scholarship

p. 40

Award For 1950

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 21.

THE Morris Hedstrom University Scholarship for 1950 has been awarded to Peniame Davule Naqa sima, of the Treasury Department, Suva.

Peniame was bom at Nabalili, Rewa, in 1928 and was educated at the Levuka Con vent School, Lodoni Provincial School and Queen Victoria School. He proposes to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree at Auckland University College.

A grass widow is the wife of a dead vegetarian.

Tahiti Wants Tourist

p. 41

Traffic

Travellers Are Eager But There Is No Transport

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Nov. 20.

THE highest officials of this Adminis tration are taking a keen interest in the possibility of establishing a new and profitable tourist traffic between

French Oceania and other countries. The fame of Tahiti’s beauty and charm is world-wide, and the eagerness of world travellers to visit us is well known. Un happily, we are at the mercy of inter national transport organisations.

Before World War 11, there were many ships available; but, to-day, the only regular shipping line between Tahiti and the outside world is Messageries Maritimes, running between Marseilles and Sydney, via various French colonial ports and the Panama Canal. Union SS Co. freighters, carrying a few passengers, call irregu larly, as do various casual freighters. And that is all.

We had high hopes that we might be included in one of the new Trans-Pacific Airways; but Tahiti is too far off the direct route between North America and Australia, and we have nothing, as yet, except the monthly air service run by TRAPAS between New Caledonia and Tahiti.

Some day, if there is a regular air ser vice between South America and Aus tralia we may be better served: but there is no sign yet of anything of the kind.

Our new Governor, M. Anziani, is eager to develop a profitable tourist traffic: and we were all happy to hear a recent re port that one of tne Matson liners might resume a regular run in the Pacific, with a frequent call at Tahiti—but there has been nothing further about it.

A ship like the Monterey and Mariposa —both so well known on the Sydney ’Frisco run before the war—could easily be filled to capacity several times a year, for a luxury cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii, French Oceania and, perhaps, Samoa and/or Fiji. It would be a won derful thing for these Territories; and it ought to be very profitable for the Matson Line, One wonders why nothing of the kind is done. It is almost incred ible that these fine ships are laid up in definitely in North America.

Mr. C. R. Turbet. Senior Veterinary Officer, Fiji Department of Agriculture, is to leave shortly for Nyasaland where he has been appointed Senior Animal Husbandry Officer. He returned to Fiji last year after a period of secondment to the Department of Agriculture in Ceylon. Mr. Turbet will be succeeded in Fiji as Senior Veterinary Officer by Mr. A. F. S. Oilmen, of the Queensland Department of Agriculture,

The good old days—Matson ships Mariposa and Monterery in Papeete Harbour in 1940.

Congress in Australia

p. 41

SDA Takes Natives to Youth Congress in Australia

NATIVES from several islands of the Western Pacific are in Sydney this month, as delegates from Seventh Day Adventist Missions in the South Seas to an SDA Youth Congress, that is being held near Newcastle, NSW.

Three men from the Solomon Islands— Thugea, Nathaniel and Elisha —arrived in Sydney on November 28 by the Muliarna, and 10 or 12 others were expected from Manus, Nassau, Bougainville and Rabaul, in New Guinea.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 41-42 (1 item)

A. H. & E. Young

Established over 30 years.

ISLAND BUYING

AGENTS

Planters' and Traders' Requirements purchased at wholesale prices.

Original Invoices Supplied.

Correspondence Invited.

Sydney Office:

60 HUNTER ST., SYDNEY

Phone: BW 7365 Cables: “Malayta,” Sydney.

mb mcEHrt&pc

M//T#

C OOOE E

FOR

SUMMER

HEADACHES

HEAT

EXHAUSTION

FATIGUE

LISTLESSNESS

Enjoy Summer Fun!

thrill to the call of the surf and the sand! Vincent’s A.P.C give marvellous relief from Summer Headaches. Fatigue, and Nervous Depression.

Vincent’s A.P.C will lift you to bright, smiling alertness!

AN IMPORTANT

POINT TO

REMEMBER!

Prepared to the original hospital formula, genuine Vincent’s a.p.c is a proved and accepted medical prescription!

& TABLETS

/ns/sf

LAUREL

/te ft fa//nest

KEROSENE

you can

Laurel is the purest and best kerosene you can buy for your kerosene refrigerator. Laurel burns with a dean, steady flame with a minimum of smoke, smell or wick-char.

Don't ask for "just'' kerosene.

Always specify LAUREL.

Try this ICE CREA.AI Recipe £ cup Condensed Milk, \ cup Water, U cups Beaten Cream, 1| teaspoons Vanilla.

Mix condensed milk with water. Add vanilla and set in refrigerator to chill. When cold add cream and when partially frozen remove and beat thoroughly. Return to refrigerator and freeze until hard.

VACUUM OIL COMPANY PTY. LTD. (Inc. in Aush)

Important Nukualofa Wedding

pp. 43-44

Tongan Traditions Observed Important Nukualofa Wedding

AS befitting in Tonga, the Pacific’s only independent Kingdom, native cus toms have not been permitted to be eclipsed by purely European importations.

This is particularly so of the marriage ceremony. Although the Tongans are all practising Christians, it is usual, especially with the chiefly families, to have both the

Christian form of ceremony in Church, and the Tongan form.

These photos show (left) the bridal party leaving the church in Nukualofa on October 15 when Fatafehi Lapaha married Siosiua Laufulitonga Tuita; and

(Continued Next Page)

(right) the young couple at the Tongan marriage ceremonial a few days later.

Fatafehi Lapaha is daughter of Queen Salote’s ADC, Vilai Tupou and his wife; her brother is the present holder of the Vaea title. Siosiua Laufulitonga Tuita is second cousin of Queen Salote and the

eldest son of Tuita, a noble of high rank.

The wedding took place at the Royal Chapel, Nukualofa, and was attended by Queen Salote, Crown Price Tungi, Prin cess Mata’aho, HBM’s Agent and Consul and Mrs. Windrum, Tongan nobles and almost all the European community. The Rev. McKay of the Free Methodist Church performed the ceremony. Afterwards 500 guests were entertained in tne Govern ment College Hall where huge tables were laden with wine and Hght refreshments of all kinds, including a five-tiered wedding cake specially imported from Auckland.

A ball followed in the evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

The ceremonies in the Tongan fashion, including feasting and dancing, took place a couole of days afterwards and were at tended by both Europeans and Tongans, including the Royal family. Guests came also from neighbouring islands.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 43-44 (1 item)

AkwipK

QUEENSLAND

INSURANCE

COMPANY

LIMITED

(Incorporated 1886 In Australia).

ASSETS EXCEED £5,000,000

Head Office:

QUEENSLAND

INSURANCE BUILDING,

80-82 PITT STREET, SYDNEY.

Speciolists in South Seos Fire,

Morine Zr Accident Insuronces

Apply to:—

FlJl.—Branch Office: I. B. Chalmers, Manager.

Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd.

VlLA.—Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd.

Comptoirs Francais Des Nouvelles Hebrides (Marine), NOUMEA.—L. & W. Johnston.

NEW GUlNEA.—Manager for the Territory of New Guinea and Papua, W. A.

Anderson.

PORT MORESBY—SAMARAI—LAE

—MADANG—RABAUL.

Burns Philp (New Guinea), Ltd.

PAGO PAGO.

Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd.

G. H. C. Reid & Co.

OTHER SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd.

Also to any of the Company’s

Offices in Australia or New Zealand.

Mil o / reduction ini

LABOUR COSTS

with the CHULA Patent COPRA DRYER

This remarkable Dryer also

• PRODUCES 12 TONS OF COPRA PER WEEK at the rate of 2 Tons every 24 hours. • PRODUCES COPRA OF HIGHER OIL CONTENT.

• IS SIMPLE AND

QUICK TO ERECT.

THE INVENTORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF

THE ■CHULA" COPRA DRYER ALSO MAKE

DESICCATED COCONUT

MACHINERY

TYNESIDE FOUNDRY &

ENGINEERING CO. LTD.

ELSWICK • NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE • ENGLAND

Established 1898.

Telegrams & Cables: "FOUNDRY, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE" . Codes: ABC, sth & 6th Eds. m 3 VP

AkwipK

'c^- Wnte for Catalogues of

CHULA

COPRA DRYERS

Capacities from 1,000 to 10,000 nuts per day.

Songs of the South Seas!

Inspirations. Cheer. Uplift.

Cover: Feathery Palms, Tropical Flowers, Native Girl. Ideal Gift or Souvenir. 5/-. Post free.

Order from ;

Dr. Wm. SWAAN

2574 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C.

Every Branch Of

ENGINEERING and BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MILLERS LTD.

SUVA and LAUTOKA

Sawmillers and Timber Merchants; Shipwrights and Sailmakers; Joinery and Furniture Manufacturers; Upholsterers; Plumbers; Electricians; Hardware Merchants; Motor Dealers.

AGENCIES:

Chevrolet, Bedford, Vauxhall, Nash Motors. Firestone Tyres.

Fetters Marine and Stationary Engines. G.E.C. Radio Sets.

British Australian Lead Manufacturers Pty., Ltd., Atlas Assurance Co., Ltd.

There is no need to send to Australia or New Zealand for Repairs or Replacements. We can give you a sound Quotation and guarantee First-Class Workmanship

BROOHFIELDS Ltd.

Suppliers of

Building Hardware

General Hardware

Ship Chandlery

Paint Materials

WRITE DIRECT TO

Broomfields Ltd.

152 SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY

Sole Agents : P. H. MUNTZ & CO.’s 3-CROWN BRAND METAL

PEACOCK

SHEATHING.

BUCHANS’ ENGLISH READY-

[ED PAINTS.

m m s 11

Newsletter from

p. 44

the N.G. Highl'ds

From a Special Correspondent

November 14.

RECENT arrivals in the Central High lands of New Guinea, are old-time missionaries (Lutheran M ssion) Mr. and Mrs. Hannerman. They have been in America for some months where Mrs.

Hannerman underwent a serious opera tion. They are now at their previous station—Kerowagi. They are accompanied by their daughter, Caroline. * Departed during the month for Wewak, Dr. J. Akerman, previously District Medi cal Officer for the Central Highlands District who has left to relieve Dr. Mac- Inerney. Gorokaites will miss the “Doc.” as will all European residents of the High lands District, where during his stay, he proved himself to be a popular and effi cient Medical Officer. The well-known hospitality of the doctor and his wife will also be missed. * Medical Assistant Keyes, late of Manus is now in charge of the Native Hospital at Kundiawa (Chimbu Sub-District). He is accompanied by his wife. * Kerowagi (also in the Chimbu Sub- District) is to get a new native hospital.

The hospital buildings are well under way, and the establishment should be com pleted early in the new year. This will fill a great need as the population war rants a hospital. Natives in the area are looking forward to having it there. Pre viously patients from this area had to be carried to Kup, a distance of 10 miles, for treatment or hospitalisation. * Mr. M. C. W. Rich, the new Director of District Services, of Port Moresby, accom panied by the District Officer of the Cen tral Highlands, Mr. George Greathead, visited most stations in the Highlands re cently.

Mr E. J. Hallstrom, accompanied by a party which included the Administrator (Col. J. K. Murray) visited Nondugl dur ing the month. Owing to landing restric tions, the chartered DCS could not land on the Nondugl strip, so the party was landed at Kerowagi and ferried from there by Dragon Rapides. A member of the party was overheard to say that Non dugl was the “Wahgi Wonderland.” We agree with him. Our last visit there showed improvements carried out on all sides. This is due in no small measure to the capable management of Mr. N. B.

Blood The development of this Experi mental Station is well worth watching. * Natives of the Banz area weie staggered a while back by the large numbers of aircraft and masters that visited their airstrip in the Hagen sub-District. Some of them wanted to know if there was another war on. Maybe so —but happily, not the type of war they thought. It was only a large party looking for a suitable spot to construct an airfield, and if that does not constitute the commencement of a paper-war between departments and Canberra. I don’t know what does.

Mrs. Gordon Harris, who arriyed in Australia several ago to inquire concerning her interests in Djaul Island, New Gufnea (where, before the war her husband operated a plantation) has gone to Port Moresby, as a member of the temporary staff of the Production Control Board.

Advertisements & other items, p. 44 (1 item)

42

DECEMBER, 1949-PACIFIO ISLANDS MONTHLY

Western Papua Notes

p. 45

From Our Own Correspondent

Daru, Nov. 13.

MR. H. P. BEACH departed earlier this month for Brisbane, where he will in future reside. He was manager at Daru for the BNG Trading Co., Ltd., until a short time before his departure, having taken charge in 1946.

Mr. Beach first came to this Divi sion in 1899, and had lived here since 1900 with the exception of the war period (1942- 46). Although in his sixties, he looks re markably well and fit —his habit of early rising and an ac tive life has certainly not been detrimental to his health. He has been engaged in various pursuits—

chiefly trading and h. V. Beach. recruiting, and agen cy work. He has a great knowledge of this Division, and he speaks several of the local dialects. He told me only recently, that of all the natives he knew when he first came to the Division, only two are still alive.

We farewell a real “old-timer.” but hope he will return for a visit, one day. * * * With blue skies above, and a gentle breeze from the south-east, HMAS Koala sailed into the harbour here to day. It is understood the main object of the visit is to lay down mooring buoys.

Local natives turned out in hundreds to welcome the ship, which is one of the largest seen here for some time.

We nearly saw the Administrator the

other day; but, as the Catalina on which he was travelling had a schedule to keep, he was not able to come ashore. * ♦ * Mrs. J. W. Stocks, accompanied by her daughter, Leone, departeds on the last plane, on a visit South. Her husband has an interest in Mibu Plantation.

Mr. R. L. Barnfather is to leave Fiji shortly to take up the post of Government Pharmacist, British Solomon Islands Pro tectorate. Mr. Barnfather has been for

many years in charge of Morris Hed strom Ltd’s. Pharmacy Department. He has been secretary of the European Elec tors’ Association since its inception.

The Australian Board of Missions has decided to appoint an assistant to Bishop P. N. W. Strong, of New Guinea. The Assistant Bishop-elect is the Rev. Geof frey David Hand, MA, who has been with the Anglican Mission in Papua for the past two years. He was born in Queens land but was educated in England.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 45-46 (1 item)

Tallerman & Company Pty. Limited

60 YORK STREET, SYDNEY, N.S.W.

Also Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth.

Buying Agents of all Australian Products ..

Sole Exporters for numerous Australian

M anufacturers

Careful and Prompt Attention to ail Inquiries Send us your inquiries which will have our careful and prompt attention.

WRITE FOR DETAILED PRICE LIST

Cable Address: “FRESHET”

STEAMSHIPS TRADING COMPANY LTD.

PORT MORESBY AND SAMARAI PAPUA

Wholesale & Retail Merchants, Planters, Sawmillers, Engineers, Slip

Proprietors, Shipping, Customs and Insurance Agents.

MANAGING AGENTS for:

SAWMILLERS & TRADERS LTD.

CORAL SEAS INSURANCE CO. LTD.

ACME BAKERY COMPANY.

MARIBOI RUBBER LTD.

RUBBERLANDS LTD.

KEREMA RUBBER PLANTATIONS LTD.

COCOALANDS LTD.

AGENCIES:

BANKERS & TRADERS INSURANCE CO. LTD.

VACUUM OIL CO. PTY., LTD.

DIRECTORATE OF SHIPPING—Papua-New

Guinea Division.

ROYAL PACKET NAVIGATION CO.

KOKE BAGU PTY., LTD.

TRANS OCEANIC AIRWAYS.

GUINEA AIR TRADERS.

DISTRIBUTORS IN PAPUA for:

ARMSTRONG-HOLLAND PTY., LTD. INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER CO. OF AUST. LTD.

Earth Moving and Logging Equipment. International Trucks, WILLYS-OVERLAND EXPORT CORPORATION. McCormick-Deering Farming Machinery, Jeep cars, etc. Defender Refrigerators.

SYDNEY AGENTS: NELSON & ROBERTSON PTY. LTD,, 12 SPRING STREET

There is only one

ELECTROLUX

THE MODERN KEROSENE-OPERATED REFRIGERATOR

THAT ACHIEVES THE MIRACLE OF ICE FROM HEAT

Lasting Efficiency, Silent Operation, Streamlined Beauty

a m .

' - ■ n

Economically operated by kerosene, with a simple precision-built freezing unit that has no moving parts and is GUARANTEED FOR

FIVE (5) YEARS.

Only obtainable from :

NEW GUINEA COMPANY, LIMITED,

Rabaul, Madang, Lae, Kavieng.

J. R. CLAY & CO., LTD., Port Moresby.

W. R. CARPENTER & CO. (Sol. Is.), LTD., Tulagi.

THE NORFOLK ISLAND SERVICE DEPOT,

Norfolk Island.

For New Hebrides, Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony and New Caledonia, apply direct to:

Model LKSSI

PRICES ON APPLICATION.

Storage capacity: 5i cub. ft. (approx.); shelf area, 10 sq. ft. food shelves, six—five removable; 2 self-supporting when half drawn. Ice-making: Four trays —5 lb. ice per freezing: 80 cubes. Fuel consumption: 1.8 pints kerosene per day (approx.).

Height: 4 ft. 10 in. Depth: 2 ft. in.

Weight, unpacked, 406 lb. Packed, 574 lb.

W. R. CARPENTER & CO., LTD. Head Office: 16 O'Connell St., Sydney, N. S. Wales

Public Works At Samarai

p. 47

What W and H Team Has Done

Letter to the Editor IN defence of the activities of the Works and Housing team of Samarai, about whom an article appeared in the September issue of PIM, I would like to point out that the following work has been carried out in that area:— • Three “R” type houses under con struction, two of which are almost com pleted. • Steel framework erected for the new Government Stores. • Steel framework erected for the W. & H. joinery shop. • Power-house building and machinery dismantled at Ladava (Milne Bay) and building re-erected at Samarai. • Power plants overhauled, some of which are awaiting spare parts. • Two machines installed to maintain an 18-hour daily electricity service, and another machine is in the process of in stallation. (Blackouts in this area are ex tremely rare.) • Administration Mess and Bachelors’ quarters erected. • Customs Officers’ residence erected. • Erection of Administration transit quarters. Although of a temporary nature (and locally known as “House Pig”) it has proved helpful to many Ad ministration personnel who have been stranded in Samarai, as the island has no boarding-house or hotel. • New electric light poles, overhead wires and street lighting installation have been completed. • All Government buildings, except those to be removed, have been re-wired and brought to a safe condition. • Government launches and trawlers, trucks and jeeps serviced. • Lighting plants installed at the Native Labour Compound, Ebuma, and at Government out-stations at Misima and Esa’Ala. • Repair work and painting carried out on District Officer’s, Doctor’s and EMA’s residences. • Repair work and painting carried out on European and native hospitals, which were in a shocking condition. • Repairs carried out on the wharf, pending the closing of tenders for the re building of same. • Native hospital and doctor’s resi dence at Mapamoiwa (Fergusson Is.) are in course of erection.

Much more work has been carried out by this team, including the erection of their own quarters, equipment store and the fitting-up of a lathe and shaping machine in their workshop; and I think this will prove that their time in this area has not been wasted.

Evidently the gentleman who wrote that “no evidence of the building of European houses in Samarai was found” must have viewed the island from a porthole of the* MV Bulolo, which anchors out and stays approximately 30 minutes to discharge passengers and mail—or from the boat deck of the MV Malaita.

I am, etc.,

W And H Ex-Samarai.

The Fiji Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance of 1948 will come into force on April 1, 1950. Thenceforth it will be compulsory for motor vehicle owners to take out third party car in surance. Insurance companies operating in the Colony are now working out pre mium rates which, contrary to overseas practice, have not been fixed by law.

London Linguist Visits

p. 47

Bsi

Prom Our Own Correspondent HONIARA, BSI, November 1.

MR. GEORGE MILNER, of the School of African and Oriental languages, London University, arrived in the Protectorate on October 19 to spend about six months studying the languages of the Solomon Islands. He has sound recording equipment to record the speech of various districts.

Mr. Milner has begun his operations in the Western Solomons, where his methods and equipment are rousing great interest among natives. In Gizo he recorded two speeches of introduction, one in pidgin English made by the District Commis sioner of the Western distridt (Mr. R.

Davies) and the other, in Rovlana language by a Government clerk. Both explain the purposes of Mr. Milner’s Wes tern tour.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 47-48 (1 item)

Shell

VETERINARY

INSTRUMENTS

For Sheep and Cattle can be

Supplied Immediately

EARMARKERS.

SPEYING INSTRUMENTS

BULLRINGS.

FIRE BRANDS.

EMASCULATORS.

W. JNO. BAKER

PTY. LTD.

3 Hunter Street, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia

No. 5 in SHELL’S " Australian Artists ” Series i as m W; S' fa 1 iU « 1 Xisr THE REFINING OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS: CLYDE, N.S.W. with a scene intepreted by Eric Thake.

The maze of pipes, columns, boilers and tubes that makes up a modern oil refinery gave fine scope to Eric Thake, well-known ex R.A.A.F. artist whose work is always notable for intense interest in abstract form. His painting of the Shell Company’s oil refinery at Clyde, N.S.W., the largest operating in Australia, dramatically portrays one of the phases of oil refining.

Shell’s Clyde Refinery has been operating since 1928 and has produced more than five hundred million gallons of motor spirit, power kerosine, diesel and fuel oils, solvents and bitumen.

Extensions to Clyde will produce over two and a half million gallons of lubricating oils per annum. This, plus the proposed new refinery at Geelong, Victoria, will ensure for Australia a continuous flow of locally refined petroleum products of the highest possible standard.

Eric Thake's dramatic rendition of the above scene in full colour will be published by Shell.

SHELL

The Shell Company of Australia Ltd. (Inc. in Great Britain)

G4DBJ

Allen Taylor & Co. Ltd.

COMMERCIAL ROAD, ROZELLE,

SYDNEY

Sawmillers and Wholesale Suppliers of Hardwoods for Constructional Purposes GIRDERS ... PILES .. . POLES . . . SLEEPERS, Etc.

EXPORTING TO PACIFIC - ISLANDS SINCE 1893

TAHITI

To Shipmasters and Visitors When calling at Tahiti, and seeking SHIPS SUPPLIES and FRESH

PROVISIONS, see—

OSCAR G. NORDMAN

Supply Agent for Messageries Mari times, Union S.S. Co. of N.Z., Ltd., Matson Oceanic Line, United States Line, General S.S. Corp., Etc.

We supply General Service —Information about the Islands Real Estate Service—Make Reservations —Act as Shipping Agents Wire before your arrival to

OCEANIC PAPEETE—Our

registered cable address.

OSCAR G. NORDMAN

Ship Chandler

PAPEETE. TAHITI

Tnc Oarrick Motel

tciefi

A**. ISL

SUVA

'"'.Vjinr

F J & « This well-known Hotel is centrally situated in Suva s main busi ness quarter :: Modern accommodation provides comfort in all climatic conditions :: Only the best of Beers, Spirits and Wines is served Telephone: 80.

VINCE COSTELLO,

Pronrietor.

Flour for Fiji

p. 48

Devaluation Means Dear Flour for Fiji And Dearer Petroleum Products

ONE of the results of the devaluation of sterling and the Australian £ against the dollar, is the sudden increase in the price of Australian export wheat and flour. (Under the terms of the Interna tional Wheat Agreement, to which Aus tralia is a party, prices for wheat are expressed in terms of Canadian dollars.) Howls of protest have come from the UK and India and some indication of the extent of this rise can be seen in the fact that the Fiji Government has re-intro duced a subsidy on flour to ease the burden on the Colony’s residents. With the subsidy, the new price of flour in Fiji will be sd. per lb.

Before devaluation of sterling, the Australian f.o.b. price of flour was £27/5/per ton. The immediate effect of the change in the pound-dollar exchange rate was to increase the Australian f.o.b. price to £39/7/6 per ton. Stocks bought at this price are now awaiting sale in Fiji, and further shipments, bought at a higher price, are expected shortly.

In addition to its effect upon the prime cost of flour and sharps, currency de valuation has also caused an increase in ocean freight rates. Until November 1, 1947, the special freight rate for flour and sharps was 47/3 per ton (Australian currency). This later became 70/- and has now been increased to 80/- per ton.

The rise in the dollar exchange rate has increased the cost of all petroleum pro ducts, and the first price increase m Fiji due to the recent adiustment took place at the beginning of November when oil companies were permitted to raise their selling price of automotive diesel oil by fourpence per gallon. The maximum re tail selling price of automotive engine lubricating oils has increased by 1/6 a gallon to 10/9J a gallon, and the maxi mum selling price of mobilite and shellite lighting and heating fluid by 6d. per gallon to 4/6 a gallon. .

Following price rises for petrol in Aus tralia (now 3/- per gallon) it is certain that the pnce of petrol in the Colony will rise also.

Guadalcanal

p. 48

Last Americans Leaving Guadalcanal Seven Years After Marines First Landed

From Our Own Correspondent November 5, 1949.

AMERICAN forces in the Solomons left , Guadalcanal for Oahu, Hawaii, by various ships during this week. With the exception of one officer and 15 men who remain at Camp Guadal in guardianship of surplus US Army property until it is disposed of to outside buyers, this is the end of US “occupation’ in

Bsi

Officers of the departing forces were formally farewelled by the Resident Com missioner (Mr. J. D. A. Germond), on October 3. The last vessel to depart this week was a tug towing two 210-ft. harges loaded with equipment and fuel—the second barge nearly a mile behind the oyer seven ye^ rg s ince American Marines made their initial landing on Jap-occupied Guadalcanal.

Thev landed about two miles east of the Lunga River, on August 7, 1942, and after six historic months, Gaudalcanal was de clared “no longer a combat zone on February 21, 1943.

Are Pacific Candlenuts

p. 49

Unsaleable?

OUR correspondent in Mangaia, Cook Islands, states that, for reasons not yet made clear, the once eagerly sought local candlenut, a rich source of valuable oil for paint-mixing, varnish manufacture, etc., is to-day a drug on the market.

Large quantities of the nuts were ex ported after purchase by Mr. D. C.

Brown, of the Cook Islands, and other buyers who were quick to seize the op portunity to develop this market, about 18 months ago. Since then, the demand has ceased entirely, and traders make no further call for this Cl product.

The Mangaia Island Council, which runs a store, had apparently amassed a very large stockpile of the nuts, still in shell, in expectation of a further call.

When this did not eventuate, the nuts were finally piled in a yard, and set on fire. The bonfire burned for two days.

Mangaians are disappointed at the sudden collapse of what promised to be a new enterprise.

Plant for the extraction of oil from the exceedingly hard candlenut was set up in Fiji at the end of 1945 at a time when drying oils for paint were in short supply. The enterprise later became a Fiji “protected industry.”

It was felt at the time of its estab lishment that the supply of local candle nuts might be inadequate to keep the oil factory functioning. It may be that this was not the case; and this, coupled with the fact that linseed oil is now more readily available, could expain why there is now no demand for Mangaia cande nuts.

Radio-Telephone Between

p. 49

Noumea-Vila

ON October 13, two South Pacific capi tals, Noumea in New Caledonia, and Port Vila, in the New Hebrides, were linked by public radiotelephone. Calls are limited to two half-hour periods be tween 9 and 9.30 a.m. and 2 and 2.30 p.m. on all weekdays except Saturday after noon when Noumea and Vila post offices

are closed. Users are asked to notify the offices concerned on the day before the call is to be made. The charge for a three minutes call is 196.8 francs with a further 65.6 francs for each additional minute.

Mr. J. w. Sykes, who has been District Officer, Ba, Fiji, has been appointed to act as District Commissioner Western to relieve Mr. C. R. H. Nott, who will shortly go to New Zealand on leave.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 49-50 (1 item)

Machinery

ry V &IL

Stewarts and Lloyds (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

Manufacturers of "S&L" PIPES and FITTINGS for GAS, WATER, STEAM and other purposes.

AND Distributors of:

MILD STEEL BARS, PLATES and SECTIONS;

GALVANISED IRON; BOLTS and NUTS; ELECTRODES

and WELDING EQUIPMENT.

Stewarts and Lloyds (Australia) pt y . Ltd.

SYDNEY WAREHOUSE - - - Herbert Street, St. Leonards BRISBANE WAREHOUSE - Montague Road, South Brisbane MELBOURNE WAREHOUSE • - City Road, South Melbourne Telegraphic Address: "Tubes ' — Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne

h* 5

We Supply all Types of

“CATERPILLAR”

MACHINERY

A Hyster Crane at Work on Suva Wharves.

WE ARE DISTRIBUTORS IN FIJI FOR

The Caterpillar Tractor

Company

Caterpillar Diesel Tractors Caterpillar Bulldozers Caterpillar Earth-movers Caterpillar Road Building and Maintenance Machines

ALL MADE BY “CATERPILLAR.”

Hyster" Winches, Logging Arches and Equipment Tracson" Excavators for use with Caterpillar Tractors Caterpillar" Diesel Marine Engines, 34 to 135 BMP Continuous Rating Stocks of Spare Parts carried in Suva. Information available about Agricultural Implements Inquiries from anywhere gladly answered to suit Caterpillar Tractors.

W. R. CARPENTER & CO. (Fiji) Ltd.

SUVA

FIJI

*o<,* *** ... •*».„^*%hA o .AW n X (*► I a *3 Wof /£ ft & £ *** * *r /*m m 9* A 7#' * > w v' fb* n / •ws M» A *S ■nr pfOL* /> 23

the

services s

SOUTH

iNJLt

PACIFIC

New Zealand is a whole world of travel . . . but it’s a small world when you fly on the N.Z. National Airways Corporation air network that brings New Zealand’s playgrounds and wonderlands invitingly close.

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL AIRWAYS CORPORATION.

New Zealand National Airways Corporation provides a network of air services throughout the Dominion and the South-West Pacific. General Agents in the Dominion for British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines ami Trans-Australian Airlines. Booking Agents for Tasman Empire Airways, Qantas Empire Airways, me .u. . and other overseas airlines.

Offices and Agents throughout New Zealand and the South-West Pacific.

Magazine Section

pp. 51-52

Territories ' Talk-Talk

By "Tolala"

AMISSIONARY and a retired Papuan Public Servant had a short argu ment in the Sydney Press recently over “Homes for Papuans.” Quoth the Missionary: “The Papuan is perfectly happy* in his house of bamboo floor, coconut or sago walls and thatched roof ...” The retired public servant retorted with, “This is equivalent to saying that neolithic man was perfectly happy in his cave and the Australian aboriginal in his bark lean-to . . . The native house is verminous, unhygienic and totally lack ing in the rudiments of comfort . . .”

Where the Missionary made an error was in saying that: “The Papuan is happy.” He was happy. And you can’t tell me that an iron roof and walls tend for greater comfort in the tropics, nor are they necessarily less verminous. It’s pride of ownership that appeals to the native mind —having something which the white man has: Like boots and a pair of trousers, although they are not at all comfortable, they appeal to primi tive vanity.

I have known many native chiefs who have prided themselves on their iron houses and European furniture; but they didn’t live in them. They preferred a well-built native house, which was cool and comfortable. I have experienced far more comfort in grass houses than I have in some of the small European edifices erected in various parts of the islands.

An iron roof may give you social status; it will, also, give you a lot of sleepless, sweaty nights. I have yet to be con vinced that our much-lauded civilisation is the answer to man’s “Happiness”— particularly in the tropics. * * * IT is good to hear that copra inspec tions are to be resumed in the Terri tory. Inspection lifts the local pro duce above the common-or-garden “South Seas” grade, much of which is of low quality. “Rabaul Hot Air” had a good reputation in European markets, and it is to be hoped that that standard will be reached again. The Ordinance will, of course, apply equally to native-produced copra, and inspectors will have to be on the alert for anything in the bags from sand to chunks of anchor chain, mixed with the copra, a little trick adopted by the more sophisticated sellers. And they are past-masters at top-dressing, as I know from many years of trading. Copra inspection will be an innovation for the Papuan portion of the Territory. ♦ * « THE “ambitious project” concerning hydro-electric power (PIM, Nov., p 7) is not, by any means, a new sug gestion. Back in 1920-21 Evan R. Stanley put forward a comprehensive scheme and bewailed the enormous amount of water power being wasted. Stanley, who was Papua’s geologist in those days, was a member of the Wattle scientific expedi tion which did some fine exploratory work throughout TNG in 1920-21. His report, which was included in the Terri tory’s first official Report to the League of Nation’s Permanent (sic) Mandate Commission, is full of good solid reading and information about the Territory’s re sources. In those days, however, TNG had no millions to spend on develop ment. Captain Jimmy Duncan was also

a member of the expedition. Stanley has gone to his Long Rest many years.

DEVELOPING the Territory’s resources reminds me of the latest turn of the wheel in the NG Timber busi ness: The government plan to form a joint enterprise with BGD to work the Bulolo timber stands, with government holding a majority of shares of the £750,000 capital. I seem to recollect an official statement, during the not-so-long-ago inquiry, to the effect that all timber leases in New Guinea would be disposed of only after public tenders had been called for the areas available. Or am I wrong? * * ♦ Managing-director of Placer Development, C. A. Banks, told the annual meeting in Vancouver last month that the devaluation of the Australian £ was of considerable benefit to BGD. He also mentioned that the yardage handled for the year was about 30 per cent, less than that estimated. One dredge had been abandoned, two would close down during the next three years, and another three in six years, leaving two with an estimated life of 13 years.

Which reminds me of the prognostica tions in the middle thirties that the life of the Morobe field would not be more than 15 years—at the most. ♦ ♦ ♦ WAR amongst the ants (PIM, Nov., p 74) recalls to mind the benefits which have long been derived by NG

planters from the old kurakum ant— Oecaphylla Smaragdina virescens, to give him his full name. It was especially use ful when palms had been infected with Promocotheca antiqua. The method was used by the Germans and, to assist Mr.

Kurakum in his duties of patrolling the fronds, palms were linked together by long strands of bush rope, with some times portions of fish attached to attract the ants. It’s a most economical method of controlling pests, for Mr. Ant doesn’t worry about the 40-hour week or rates of pay. Incidentally, Entomologist O’Connor was an old Territory identity before going over to Fiji. ♦ ♦ ♦ ONE cannot allow the sad death of the “Little Major’’ to pass without men tion being made of his untiring work, both in Rabaul and Wau, in con nection with the dramatic societies he so keenly fostered, and of the many plays he so successfully produced, often under great difficulties. Both towns owed a debt of gratitude to Major Ayris for many a pleasant evening’s entertainment.

It’s safe to say that a dramatic society would have been flourishing by now in Kokopo had things turned out other wise. Vale the Little Major! ♦ ♦ * THE colour question is becoming acute in South Africa, especially since Missionary Scott has taken up the cudgels on behalf of some of the SA natives, whom the Union wishes to ab

feorb and thus terminate the mandate trusteeship system. People are apt. to foirget the peculiar racial position of South Africa when criticising the whites’ determined pronouncements on the colour question. With the general trend towards universal race equality the SA whites recognise the danger of being a minority section in a country where there are four natives to every European, but are intent on maintaining their sovereignty, which has been theirs for the past three hunderd years, and maintained purely as a result of racial dominance. When a white minority in a black country loses that dominance the only thing to do is to pull up stakes and get out, as Britain did in India, as Netherlanders have done in NEI, and as the Australians will have to do in New Guinea when the Trustee ship target has been reached. The colour ratio in NG is about one white to every two hundred natives. The South African situation has much of interest to NG folk; to the older settlers, anyway, who know some of the difficulties attached to the task of a minority maintaining its sovereignty against big odds. * ♦ * BITS AND PIECES; The modest pea nut can be an expensive crop to grow under government supervision.

It recently cost Britain’s Overseas Food Corporation £23 million to produce some 2,000 tons of groundnuts . . . The juris diction of the UN Trusteeship Council has been extended to cover “dependent areas not expressly placed under trustee ship.’’ Such as Papua, for instance . . .

Declarations of contents must be attached to all goods sent either by letter or parcel post and addressed to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands . . . Brazil coffee crops this year are down 10 million bags.

Coffee prices in Australia are tipped to be shortly about 10 - a lb. Any coffee plantations going begging? . . . Miss Bonny Nash, formerly of Inverell, NSW, was married to Mr. Frederick Mason at Wesley Chapel, Sydney, on November 29.

They will live in Moresby . . . Old Rabaul Club members are being asked to submit their claims to J. I. Cromie, at PM, before March 31, 1950 . . . E. C.

Vider, a well-known islands skipper, has gone to his Long Rest. He died at a private hospital at Randwick, on Novem ber 22.

Mrs. G. Hofman, wife of a Lutheran missionary in the Madang Area, NG, and her children, recently received a scare while Mr. Hofman was away from his station, when two Japanese came to the door and inquired if the war were really over, and whether Japan had actually been defeated. Within the next three days eight more Japs were taken in to the Patrol Officer of that area. For the last few years they had lived about two days’ walk from the Mission Station un noticed.

Still on Deck After 176 Years!

p. 51

This ancient tortoise is Tonga’s oldest inhabitant. The story is that it was presented to a Tongan chief by Captain Cook, who called at Tongatabu in 1773. No one knows how old the tortoise was then—but it makes him (her or it) going on 200, now. However, there is no reason to doubt that the creature is the original tortoise presented by Cook to a Tongan noble, now long dead.

The tortoise is treated with great respect by the Tongans; Queen Salote took it into her care some years ago and it lives in the Palace grounds. Apparently the tortoise has found some difficulty adjusting itself to the motor age after a youth spent in Captain Cook’s sailing ship. The dent in the body-work was caused by a collision with a car some years ago. History does not relate what happened to the car.

Skyway to the Highlands

p. 52

(See Photos Opposite) THESE photographs were taken by Mr.

Leo White when he visited the New Guinea Central Highlands last year.

Disregarding for a moment the lasses in the bottom photograph, the other photos are an excellent illustration of the hazards of normal flying in this area. The aero dromes are, at times, narrow ribbons of flat land in between towering mountains, Some of them are at between 5.000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. Yet air services are the life-line of this magnificent high country. In the top photo, the neat Gov ernment station can be seen, and, wind ing over the mountain, a thread of native road.

Advertisements & other items, p. 52 (1 item)

Highland Skyways and Highland Lassies

NG Central Highlands airstrip—from the air.

From the ground—Qantas DCS and local Natives.

Some of the local lassies who met the plane.

Pago Pago Disillusioned These

pp. 53-67

Hopeful Pilgrims

Australian, who says that he has always taken it to heart when the USA criticised British Colonial policy, recently visited Pago Pago, American Samoa . with an American friend. The Aussie expected a streamlined, chromium-plated Colony; it is not clear what the Yankee expected, but both were disappointed. This is what they later wrote us:

THIS has been written jointly by an American and an Australian. The criticisms about Pago are not meant as a crack at US Administration but as an indirect tribute to the often maligned British Colonial Policy.

In the course of a boat cruise recently we spent roughly four hours in Pago Pago and our impressions, therefore, are fleeting—possibly not indicative of the true state of affairs. If so, we apologise.

If not, we hope these lines will serve to remind would-be armchair critics that ex perience counts in all walks of life, even in Colonial Administration.

To casual visitors throughout the Pacific, the various ports of call, with their com paratively large towns behind them are the “show-windows” of each particular island group. These windows in Suva, Tonga, Vavau, Apia, Papeete (to retain the simile) are very “well dressed.” They are at least clean and neatly layed out.

Pago Pago on the other hand, is like a junk-shop window; at a distance its array of goods looks fascinating. On closer in spection there’s much soiled merchandise to be found amongst the new.

WE approach Tuituila in late afternoon and as our boat steams up the harbour at Pago, cannot help but be impressed with the magnificent hills towering on either side; or by the hun dreds of orderly naval buildings and re pair shops hugging the shore line. The particular wharf at which we berth is also impressive. Built of ferro-concrete its freshly painted sheds and clean ap

proaches are, perhaps, the best in the South Pacific. Undoubtedly, the rate at which the efficient and highly mechanised naval ratings unload produce from the holds, is the fastest.

Picturesque, too, are the Naval Officers’ quarters left of the wharf which, from where we stand on the ship’s deck, appear to cover the old Pago golf course. Even ashore, inside the various trading stores we find shelves packed with every con ceivable brand of American foodstuff and general merchandise-colourful pages of the Saturday Evening Post come to life!

And yet amongst all this material wealth there exists great squalor. Dirty shop fronts, garbage-littered “footpaths.”

An open drain bordering the main street is choked with paper, rotting food and old cans.

Native quarters comprise a flostam and jetsam of old navy huts squeezed between Samoan fales, the two types of building often only a few feet apart. A track, once a road, twists its way amongst these huts showering them with dust or mud from passing vehicles. This unhygienic area with its smattering of dirty drinking bars, where insolent young natives appear to imbibe freely (when were the strict liquor laws repealed?) makes interesting contrast with the living conditions of native Western Samoans, Fijians, etc, MANY traders have waxed rich in Pago during the war years yet little capi tal appears to have been re invested in the place. It is rumoured that the wealth of most traders is inversely proportional to the amount of interest displayed in their country’s welfare. Civic pride apparently does not exist. Could this be the result of an administration intolerant of private enterprise? Others attribute conditions to the Americans’ typical “reluctance to interfere in the other chap’s business,” an attitude to be

(Continued on page 65)

Photos show (at top): Two street scenes —open drains and sundry rubbish; and the Navy—off duty. Down side: The Navy theatre which civilians may also attend: new LMS church, framed in base structure of Pago’s giant radio mast; one of the numerous bars in the native quarter.

admired when dealing with people of equal social development, but harmful when applied to natives who have access, but are unadjusted, to European stand ards.

Under these conditions you can’t give natives a large measure of self-govern ment overnight. You must prepare them for it over a period of generations. With out constant correction and education the native will throw an empty food can out the back door of his hut. He knows little and cares less about unclean gutters bringing him sickness. Unless disciplined he will eat the white man’s tinned food, live in his abandoned houses without the knowledge nor inclination to pay attention to elementary principles of hygiene. Just how high is the incidence of TB and Venereal Disease in Pago’s native quarter?

With naval buildings well maintained but the native and civilian areas in such sorry condition, the immediate query springs to mind—“ls US Naval Adminis tration sufficiently interested or experi enced to cope effectively with such a set-up . . . from the point of view of native welfare?” For this, apart from military proficiency, is the point of view under discussion.

Before attempting an answer, let us take a brief look at the administrative set-up:— (1) The governor of Eastern Samoa is a naval officer appointed by the President. (2) All laws are made by the governor and are subject to the approval of the Navy Department. (3) Natives have a considerable amount of self government, enact ing laws concerning counties and villages, retaining as far as pos

sible their old forms of govern ment.

Perhaps the root of the trouble is con stitutional, and native interests would be better served by an administration inde pendent of the Navy and answering to some authoritative body similar to the Western Pacific High Commission in Suva.

With Tuituila’s natural wealth it seems odd too, that a healthy private enterprise has not been fully encouraged? No doubt by now the US has already discussed future improvements of native wel fare with other nations of the South Pacific Commission in Noumea.

Meanwhile, perhaps some local resident can, through the columns of this journal, enlighten us further as to the true con ditions existing in Pago to-day.

During deputation work in Tasmania, the Rev, Kolmio Saukuru, Fijiian Metho dist Missionary to Australian Aborigines, was given a civic reception in Hobart and Launceston.

Advertisements & other items, p. 53 (1 item)

51

ACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY DECEMBER. 1949

Kutubu

pp. 54-55

Come in to Kutubu

With Captain Hugh M. Birch, DFC, of QEA.

JN the twenties and the thirties Karius, Hides, O'Malley, the Champion brothers and others pushed laboriously into unknown Papua by canoe or on foot. Their journeys took weeks; sometimes many months. Danger lurked around the twists and bends of the long rivers; in the plateaux and mountains of the interior. Illness, and sometimes death, were often the only reward.

But they put upon the map and into our minds such names as the Strickland River, the Purari, Kikori, the Fly, Lake Murray, Lake Kutubu and the rest.

To-day these incredible journeys that took them months may be accomplished, at ease, during the daylight hours of only one day. This is the story.

rpHE Qantas Catalina service which i. crosses the Gulf of Papua departs from Port Moresby every alternate Monday. It is a fascinating run, so come with me on the westbound.

At 6.30 a.m. we leave the water, bound for Yule Island, a small Government Station and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Mission, Papua, about 60 miles from Moresby. Our course takes us over Oroi, one of the drilling sites of the Australian Petroleum Co., oil der ricks glistening in the early morning sun; and then, at 7 a.m., we land at Yule.

Canoes are alongside in no time, our

passengers disembark and the cargo is unloaded. Within 15 minutes we are air borne again and winging our way to Kerema.

Our aircraft is a Catalina flying-boat named, appropriately, Island Chieftain. It was converted to a passenger-cum freighter in the QEA workshops at Rose Bay, Sydney. Our cargo—just about as varied as one could imagine. We have 17 passengers, three fowls, 200 chickens, a dog, two cats and 850 lb. of frozen meat.

It is 8 a.m. and Kerema is below.

Kerema is a small Government Station

Lake Kutubu.

Qantas officials brought aboard by dug-out canoe.

Kutubu Natives.

Refuelling Island Chieftain on Lake Kutubu.

on Freshwater Bay; it is a centre for copra, cocoa and rubber plantations. Here we are met by the Assistant District Officer, in a whale boat. He signs for the mail, two more passengers disem bark and again we are on our way.

Off to the north, towering peaks of the Owen Stanleys are still clear in the morning air. Later they will disappear, shrouded in the cumulus clouds so familiar to all New Guinea pilots.

We now near the top of the mighty Gulf and our course takes us over the winding rivers and flats of the Delta country. This, a crocodile infested swampy area, described on the map as “a tortuous maze of navigable rivers and streams,” is not much good for any thing. Few live here except the hardy river natives whose sole means of trans port is the dug-out canoe.

It is on one of the many Delta streams that we find our next port of call— Kikori on the Kikori River. It is about 20 miles upstream, and one of the wet test places in the world. It has an average rainfall of nearly 300 inches, most of it falling between April and September. Ten inches in one day is not an abnormal fall.

Through the misty rain we can see the river winding below—a swiftly flow ing stream with many logs floating down stream. We circle the Station and come down on to the river. Kikori is the District Headquarters for the Delta Division of Papua and the natives of this area were well known, not so long ago, for their cannibalistic tendencies.

Those days have now passed and it would be difficult to find a more peaceful spot.

Here we take on 4,000 lb. of cargo for Lake Kutubu, 90 miles inland and to the north-west in the direction of the Central Highlands. We leave Kikori and commence the long climb over the ranges levelling out at 7,000 ft. On our left is the Great Papuan Plateau, a series of limestone ridges and valleys, varying in height from 2,000 to 4 000 feet. From this Plateau rises Mt. Bosari—a volcano, 9.500 ft. high, its peak wreathed in clouds.

Now below are Beaver’s Falls, a mag nificent torrent falling vertically for over 300 feet. This is the Mubi River which has its source not far from our desti nation. Lake Kutubu, 2,600 ft. above sea level is of volcanic origin and very deep. It is nearly 11 miles long and varies in width from U to 2 miles.

Through a hole in the clouds we can see it ahead, deep blue and so calm that the clouds are reflected on its sur face. We gradually descend onto its waters and are soon surrounded by the local tribesmen—fierce looking warriors each with a bone piercing his nose. This base was opened up by the Qantas Cata lina onlv a few months ago. Our journey from Kikori by the Island Chieftain has taken 45 minutes—to walk it the record is 56 days.

In charge of the Government Post here are a young Assistant District Officer and a Patrol Officer whose duty it is to bring these native people under control, learn their customs and strange language the surrounding country.

Kutubu is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains covered with jungle right to the waters edge.

WE still have 460 miles to go before our night stop, so as soon as the cargo is unloaded we are off once more, our next call Lake Murray, in the great Fly River valley. We cross the nmestone plateau again, passing Mount Bosari and Lake Campbell, a small vol canic lake named after Group-Captain Stuart Campbell, a pioneer aviator in

these parts and more recently leader of an Australian expedition to the Antarc tic.

Then gradually the plateau drops away to flat and swampy river country. We cross the Strickland River and soon we see Lake Murray, which is a 7 most an inland sea, nearly 30 miles long. We are now only 12 miles from the Dutch New Guinea Border and one of the duties of the lonely Patrol Officer stationed here is to patrol that Border. His is a solitary life with no other white men for at least 100 miles. His pleasure at seeing us can be imagined. He has a yarn for half an hour, receives h’s mail and stores, and then we are gone. Without an air service to this Lake, the only link with civilisation is a boat trip of over 500 miles down the Lake and then into the Strickland River and thence down the Flv to Daru. About a month is the usual time for this voyage. We take U hours.

Daru is a flat, damn and rather de pressing place with little to recommend it. Once it was a haven for pearling luggers from Thursday Island, but few come here now. We do not tarry long: it is the end of our Western run. but Kikori is where we usually spend the night, so off we go with half a dozen passengers to Kikori.

It is 5 p.m. when we touch down again on those muddv swirling waters after eight hundred miles of flying since 6.30 a.m. with seven stops. The Captain and his crew are glad to get ashore for the first time in nearly 11 hours. Night falls quickly on Kikori: dinner is waiting: we give bur hosts the latest news from Moresey—it is time for bed.

To-morrow we depart for Moresby via Wana, another oil drilling centre, Kerema and Yule Island. Our cargo— a parcel of mummified hands for a museum in Sydney, two stretcher cases, 500 live crabs and a dozen passengers.

Trapicalities

pp. 55-56

(CALLING all Anthropologists: At a re j cent meeting of the Western Samoa Legislative Assembly it was decided that the 170 Chinese now remaining in the Territory should be permitted to re main as free citizens. It was recom mended also, that the ban on marriage between these men and Samoan women be lifted. As a corollary to this last piece of belated generosity it was decided that offspring of de facto marriages be tween Chinese and Samoans (and there have been plenty) should not be regarded as illegitimate (illegitimacy was “some thing belong Mission,” anyhow); and that the said offspring should now have the option of declaring themselves of either Samoan status, or EUROPEAN status!

“Samoan status” and “European status” are accepted Samoan terminology but now that the Territory is so hell-bent for independence why don’t they go the whole hog and make it Samoan status or Foreign status—as that is obviously what they mean. Even if it is just for the record, it would be interesting to know by what processes of deduction it is con cluded that a full blooded Chinese father and a 100 per cent. Samoan mother can produce a European chiId—ANTHROP. * * * SIDELIGHT on Suva’s climate: Early in October, after months of tropical downpours, the big 75th Cession Day

parade planned at Suva was curtailed and a Sydney newsreel unit which wanted to film the occasion was warned to stay at home. Prom that day—almost from the hour —of this decision, the weather started to improve, and Suva celebrated Cession in a blaze of sunshine plus perfect, moonlit nights, before and after. What was more, the good weather lasted for most of October and for War Memorial Appeal and Remembrance Days on November 5 and 6. And then the Suva Cricket Association fixed November 12 for the opening of its season. And the cricket clubs announced their opening teams. And the cricket grounds were allotted. Then it rained five solid inches in a lump.—S. * ♦ ♦ IT is not easy, these days, to get to Pit cairn Island, but it is even harder to get away once vou are there.

Eighteen months ago when a school teacher was sent to Pitcairn from New Zealand, the WPHC sent along also, a pre-fabricated school, a dwelling and three Indian carpenters to erect them.

The carpenters finished the job about six months ago but no ship was available to take them off. Ships were radioed but all were too busy to call for the men until after five months of idleness and homesickness for Suva, the master of the new Burns Philp ship Braeside offered to assist. Braeside (5,600 tons) was on her maiden voyage from the UK to Aus tralia via Panama. She reached Sydney

THIS is a Bret* Hilder drawing of Mr.

George Purdy, who first went to the New Hebrides with his parents in 1907, and since has spent about half his life there, with the exception of the war years, which he spent very actively in the RAAF.

He and his wife have now given the Hebrides away and have plunged into mass cultivation of carnations at Mount Tambourine, near Brisbane, Qld.

in November and the three carpenters later went on to Fiji by air.

Braeside will go onto the Sydney- Singapore run. * * * A RECENT incident has recalled to my mind the par in PIM, during the war, about the maidens of the Society Is. who, not “having the English,” took tubes of American shaving-cream for tooth paste.

A Cook Island lad recently took a sudden fancy to own a toothbrush and related amenity although our folks do not, save in the case of such VIPs as teachers, etc., habitually use tooth brushes; they never did. As there are few luxuries at this end of Oceania, it is not strictly essential, anyway—people’s teeth seldom decay in any serious degree. The lad under consideration had a sudden rush of civilisation to the head, possibly caused by seeing someone do it in a movie, and he purchased a brush, plus a tube of something, the label of which he could not read, although it looked right enough.

Next morning the youth was back at the store, demanding a refund —where the tube was concerned, that is. The brush had worked quite well. He complained that the toothpaste had “tasted bad.” He suggested that there was a plot afoot to liquidate simple Islanders putting their faith in white men’s chemical factories.

The storekeeper thereupon suggested personal examination of the offending item. The boy went and got it. On viewing the allegedly-defective tube of “toothpaste,” the trader burst into hearty laughter.

The dental preservative, nicely put-up in a yellow tube, was rubber solution for bicycle tyres.—E.G. * * * WHEN this advertisement appeared in a London newspaper a few weeks ago, the sensational newspapers gave tongue wildly: “Permanent secretary-assistant re quired, any nationality, scientific and general filing, typing, isolated tropical island until 1953, languages and bio logical degree an advantage, personal distinction and charming personality essential. Write Box No. —”

“Secretary-assistant”—“tropical island”

—“charming personality essential” . . .

the imaginative fog-bound reporters never stopped, until they ran down the author of it. He was Dr. H. S. Evans, formerly Deouty Director of Health Ser vices in Fiji, and now, being retired, a mild and elderly scholar, intensely in terested in native languages and customs.

He was on a visit to London; and, hav ing agreed to go temnorarilv as medical officer on Rotuma. he decided to applv himself there to the writing of certain books which he planned long ago, and to take a secretary with him.

When the reporters found him, he was immersed in applications from scores of ladies who apparently were attracted by the general idea of a life on isolated Rotuma. He tried to be very serious obout the proposed job; but that “charm ing personality” line had struck a note that he could not escape, and so the pressmen let themselves go. This, for example: “When Dr. Evans and his unnamed secretary are not working, they can stroll along palm-fringed beaches and watch the native girls dive off their boats to spear fish underwater.”

The newspapers said that the secretary has been chosen, but her name is being kept secret for the present. She and Dr. Evans were to sail from London for Fiji in October. * ♦ * AT the age of 17, Antony Hooper, of Suva, is 6 ft. 41 in. in height. His father, Superintendent B. F. Hooper,

of the Fiji Police, tops him by 4 in., but the gap is believed to be narrowing.

Hooper pere, in 1917, became the first Fiji-born student at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, one of New Zealand’s leading secondary schools, which has since had more boys from Fiji than any other school in the Dominion. This year son Antony is in his last year at New Plymouth. Next year he will go to Auck land University College with a remark able school record behind him.

He is head of his House; head of all boarders (270 boys) and head of the school (700 boys). At the age of 15 he gained the School Leaving Certificate and at 16 passed the University Entrance. He is vice-captain of the Rugby First XV.

In 1947 he won the junior swimming championship and this year was second in the senior. As a member of the surf life-saving team he won a Surf Medallion.

In last year’s athletics he won the dis cus event with a record-breaking throw of 108 ft. 61 in. and this year broke his own record with what a New Plymouth newspaper called “a prodigious throw of 128 ft. 8 in.” This year he also estab lished a putting-the-shot record with 43 ft.

He has been a senior NCO in the High School Cadet Battalion for two years and this year is leader of the school church choir. Last year, to round things off, he won the school senior reading prize.—S.

Let’S Go Explore New

p. 56

Holland

By P. O'Rell

A TIME comes for the more adven turous, when they leave the peace and security of established life in New Guinea and evince a desire to ex plore that Territory—originally, New Holland—which lies south of 10 deg.

Quiet, home-loving citizens from places like Gcilala, Telefomin or Wabag are suddenly smitten with the pioneer urge and, in spite of their initial experiences in the semi-controlled areas around Moresby or Rabaul, press on southward over the seas to face the unknown —some never to return, others to re-appear as greatly changed people.

The more daring have been known to defer their journey until after the Sum mer solstice, when the cold season has already set in and conditions are incle ment. Brave men, indeed, these, who well know that fate is against them and that in the words of the old prophecy, “Many are called, but ‘A—tchoo’ are frozen.”

Most explorers, in addition to a fluency in Pidgin, Motu or Blanche Bay dialect, are also conversant with English, which is reputed to be the lingua franca of these Southern regions. However, this idea is erroneous, as the actual tongue spoken is, as it were, a distinct patois or cousin germain and in many cases, bears little resemblance to English. A practical in stance is noted immediately on arrival with that simple word “customs.” The sense in which it is used by the indigenes is an extremely left-handed one and is apt, for the first few hours at least, to cause a certain amount of inconvenience.

However, after the visitor has got over the initial searching interest shown in him by the inhabitants, he has to settle down to a serious study of colloquialisms and phrases. Owing to the co-operation of the natives this is somewhat simplified and, if he makes contact with the right section of the community, such abstruse

phrases as “on the black’’ and “key money” will assume a lucid and definite significance.

Owing to the nature of the climate the usual “sac-sac,” “pungal,” “kunai” and “sisalkraft” dwellings are absent, and are replaced by structures of stone, ce ment and brick. A close study of these buildings is rarely possible.

Travelle:s, on seeing the words “guest house,” are prone to the belief that these will provide that opportunity; but, once again, the sense attached to the phrase is a purely local one, and entry is quali fied by stringent conditions.

It is hard to determine the exact nature of the structure owing to the jealous guard which is placed on them. In cer tain ways they resemble a “haus tambu.”

One wanderer, being of the opinion that a certain password was necessary, in response to “I have a flat to let.” re plied, “I’ll buy the furniture” and was welcomed. Whilst he was apparently on the blink of success, he was further ques tioned and was informed that his reply, without further qualifications, meant nothing. It would appear that in addi tion to a certain ritual, the possession of a “bank account” —something strange to Islands dwellers —was necessary.

Native tobacco also appears to be tam bu to strangers and, indeed, to the majority of groups in the native com munity. Observation shows that a fur tive trade in the substance is carried on.

The product would appear to be regarded very highly. In the majority of cases, the recipient has first to undergo a cere monial purification which involves the removal of portion of the hair from the head and face.

IN an endeavour to assess the relative occupations of the various indigenes, it is perturbing to find that they have little respect for the truth. On a poll of some five thousand units, in which the individual was asked who he worked for, the answer—in all but ten cases —was, “Working for Chif, mate.” The observers report that in over four thousand cases this answer was followed by a peculiar and rather ironic laugh.

The local equivalent of bearers and car riers are known as “takkisis.” Again, the normal order is reversed and. where it is our habit to move from point to point by the shortest track, it is inevitable that the visitor will notice these vehicles tak ing the longest possible route. “Takkisi” drivers are obviously men of standing in the community, for nothing is tambu to them and, if approached in the proper manner, they can be relied on to produce any item which is prohibited to the general populace. It is fair to point out, however, that such articles as salt and gold-lipped shell have no trade value.

“Luluais” and “Tul-tuls” do not appear to exist as such; but dignitaries known as “the books” or “the licensee” appear to be held in some regard, and are usually mentioned in a tone of veneration, es pecially in conjunction with such phrases as “two to one bar one” or “time, gentle men, please.”

AS I type, a rather friendly looking in digene has just entered and uttered another of their cryptic sayings—“ Care for a grog, sport?”

Excuse me—l had better do some more research.

Of Falling Leaves , Trees

p. 57

and Other Things

By Judy Tudor

RECENTLY, when visiting a friend in a farming district north of Sydney, we found him cutting a huge tree. Would I like to stay and see it fall?

No, I would not—falling trees being something that I could not abide. 1 removed myself about quarter of a mile away and contemplated nature while the deed was done. When at last it crashed to the ground, it was followed by the customary split second of dead silence, and this, in turn, by screams and yells out of which I could distinguish only. “Come quickly—come quickly!” Then the sound of feet pounding down the track.

A big, hot palpitating lump (my heart, I suspect) came up and was stuck in my throat; my legs seemed to be made of cotton wool. Visions of gory corpses swam before me. Who was it—one of the kids? Or one of the men? .Or just the Beagle-hound pup?

I tottered off in the direction of the pounding feet and met them at the bend of the road. “W-what is it?”

I asked.

“Come quick, before they recover,”

I was told, they’re stunned. A nest of baby possums. The cutest things you've ever seen. Glider possums . .”

Possums, forsooth! I could have bitten the hand that grabbed me and pulled me up the bush track.

Falling trees have not been my lot of recent years, but it took me two days to recover from that one. While the fit was upon me I dug up my old New Guinea diary and, at a certain spot that describes a new camp we had made on the Ulahau River {in land, north-west of Wewak), read: ONE thing I have discovered since being here (New Guinea) is that I have a morbid fear of falling trees. I can’t understand this as I was brought up on a saw-mill in the New Zealand bush. (Query; Maybe mother was, in in the pre natal sense, “frightened” by a falling tree?). But there it is.

The site for the new house I selected myself. Centuries before it must have been part of a river bed; later, no doubt, a r ]Y e £ flat; k ut now is a terrace, 30 or 40 feet above the present level of the stream, about a quarter of an acre in ex tent and quite level. When we saw it first it was covered with tall timber and the usual tangled undergrowth of sap lings, vines and creepers. The boys cleaned out the small stuff and made a leaf shelter to sleep under and shifted the tent-sail and our belongings up from below. I wasn’t particularly happy about this arrangement but I was assured that the trees could be felled in such a way as not to interfere with the camp. Any how, it is the wet season and I had to choose between being flooded out on the river bank and the menace -of falling trees.

As axe-men, the local gentry leave a

lot to be desired although they are madly happy if given any sort of chopping in strument. Three or four or even more of them will attack a huge tree, whittling away with their fool little axes like wood-peckers. Because their antics fill me with foreboding I have taken par ticular notice of their technique and I’m sure that they have no idea of where a tree is going to fall until it actually be gins to topple, then they get themselves out of the way with the agility of moun tain goats.

Usually when they are clearing I re move myself at least half a mile away but when the time came to clear the larger timber on our flat I had fever and I was in bed in the improvised bedroom with what they called a “big fella sick.”

The sick was big enough, but not so big as to make me oblivious of all else, i spent a miserable day under a pile of trade-blankets while trees crashed all around me and the men made frequent calculations to prove that they would all miss me by at least a yard. They did.

But after the days work was over and the boys were standing waiting for their rice issue there was an ominous creaking from above, a scatter of bare feet and rice tins and a shriek of “Look out Masta! Diwai ’i like bruk now!”

I didn’t wait. Some sort of reflex action caused me to leap straight out of bed and I covered the first twenty feet in two hops and a jump. But fever, quinine and athletics don’t mix and an ant-bed was right in my path. I stretched my whole length in it, which naturally infuriated the ants who came out in thousands. This variety don’t bite; they are known to the boys as being of the “stink-finish” variety—in other words, they smell. But I was beyond caring about that. I lay there, on my tummy, thinking: “This is the end,” and waiting for the broken tree to crash into the middle of my back.

Nothing happened. I took a quick look over my shoulder; the whole matter of the broken diwai had straightened itself out. It was no tree; merely a limb that was cracked and ready to fall off. I crept back to my bed under the tent-sail, dusting off a few stray stink-finishers and hoping that my little excursion had gone unnoticed. Next morning my fever had left me and I took myself from that locality until everyone had finished with it. ★ RUT that is not the last word the diary has to say on the subject of falling trees. Many months later

this entry appears :

ONE of the teams working in the river has now come right up to just below the house. At that point there was a huge tree that overhung the flat.

Ground had been worked all around it and gold had been taken from its very roots. We watched it day by day, wondering what an extra large flood would do to it and, finally, it was decided that it would be best to get rid of it once and for all and be sure. The usual cal culation had shown that, with care, it could be grubbed out and the whole line of boys swinging, at the critical moment, on the vines and canes that grew from it,

could pull it to fall up the creek and miss the flat (and the house) altogether. No one asked my opinion but I gave it, freely. In my estimation the tree could fall no where else but right across the house. I was advised not to act like a silly old woman—it was well known that I had a kink where falling trees were concerned and no reliance whatever could be placed on my notions. The tree must —and would —come down.

OK, if that’s how it is, said I to myself, this time I stay right in the confounded house, and if the tree falls on me and kills me, then it serves them right.

Grubbing operations started next morning and continued most of the day.

It was a long process. True to my promise I stayed in the house. I sat in front of my typewriter and tried to write.

And occasionally I would go out to the end of the flat and look at that tree. As the day wore on, I went back to the type writer after these inspections with more and more reluctance and about 3.30 took my last look at the tree. It would go any time now, I was told. It would just miss the point of the terrace.

I could see that it would go anytime— the boys were already manning the many kunda vines that trailed from it. They looked like silly little ants; and the tree was huge, with great, spreading branches.

I went slowly back to the house. Would I? Wouldn’t I? Was it worth risking a broken neck, or worse, just to prove

That Woman Is Sometimes Right?

Yells from the creek told me the tree was “talking.”

“No,” my lesser-self replied emphatic ally—better to be wrong than a cold, clammy corpse. I grabbed the lid of my typewriter, shoved it on, took the dog by the scruff of the neck and carrying both in my arms beat it —out across the terrace through the pumpkin patch to our primitive black-smith snop which was well out of the way of all possible danger.

Whoops and yodels were coming con tinuously from the river now, as the top most leaves of the giant tree began to tremble. Then the tree gave a lurch and began to fall, slowly at first then with a mightly swoosh. The huge head of branches turned in mid-air—and down she came—crash! Horror and an in verted sort of satisfaction filled me— there it was, precisely where I said it would land, right across the centre of the house in which I had been sitting a few minutes before.

The cook-boy and I reached the scene of the disaster simultaneously. There was dead silence from the river below. The tree and its branches, stuck out far be yond the ruined house, still trembled with the impact. The air was full of pieces of thatching and bits of paper that I had left on what had once been a table, and dust from smashed wood sifted down over everything. The cook-boy and I looked at each other in silence. There was no need for words. We waded in through the mess and dug among the ruins. We retrieved a blue enamel meat safe and a petrol lantern, both battered beyond repair. Silently we placed them outside what had once been a doorway.

Then Tulawai, the cook-boy found his voice: “The ” he wailed, shaking his fist in the direction of the river, “Al’gether something ’e buggerup finish!”

People passing the Brisbane City Con gregational Church during one day in November, were surprised to see three black figures performing a war dance on the church’s steps. They were Papuan natives in port as members of a ship’s crew. The dance was given in apprecia tion of afternoon tea served by the Women’s Auxiliary of the London Missionary Society, and depicted in mime, Australian soldiers fighting the Japanese.

Where Dead Ships Lie

p. 58

By Geoffrey Shepherd

SHOWN on Pacific maps, between New Caledonia and Queensland’s Great Barrier, there are two insignificant looking specks, lying close together. These are Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, at first glance just two of the Pacific’s many reefs —but what a history they have!

Like coral necklaces rising from the sea, they break from the Pacific in a welter of foam. With a reputation of being marine graveyards, veritable Goodwins of the Pacific, they are avoided like plague spots by all shipping to-day, for theirs is a grim history.

Since 1800 they have taken toll of at least 20 vessels which were driven by ill winds and currents onto their coral ram parts. These fangs of the sea had no verdure-covered shores peopled with friendly natives waiting to succour casta ways.

I have seen Middleton Reef and some of the wrecks which, even in death, still cling to it. It was only a fleeting glimpse that I had, from a liner which was taking an observation, but as a picture of utter desolation and starkness, its chill memory remains with me yet.

ELIZABETH REEF was named after the first victim it snared, in 1831. It has a somewhat less villainous record than Middleton. It is about four miles in diameter and was visited, in 1936, by a small scientific party in the yacht, Wan derer. Middleton Reef was also visited on that occasion—one of the rare times when humans have voluntarily landed on these coral necklaces of death.

Middleton is 30 miles to the north of Elizabeth and is the slightly larger. Its first recorded victim was snared in 1806, although there is evidence that many un identified vessels finished their careers there at an even earlier period.

Middleton has 12 recorded wrecks: Eli zabeth eight; but loss of life has been far more severe on Middleton, a heavy toll being taken of the crews of the barques, Ramsay (1852), Mary Lawson (1866) and Errol (1909). With others Fate was less relentless—some crews were picked up by passing vessels as the reefs lie in the zone of early China-bound clippers and some reached the shores of Lord Howe Island, 120 miles south from Middleton. In this latter category were the crews from the Naiad (1855) which piled up on Elizabeth, and the Annasona and Maelgwyn, both wrecked in 1907.

Earlier this year, when on Lord Howe Island, I heard from a resident the strange story of the series of queer co incidences that dogged the sister ships, Annasona and Maelgwyn. Both sailed from the Mersey, Liverpool, during the same month in 1906. They were bound for different destinations but both en countered the same Pacific storm and both became wrecks—the Annasona piling up on Middleton Reef and the Maelgwyn being abandoned as a derelict off Lord Howe Island.

Crews of both vessels took to the boats and safely reached Lord Howe’s shores within a week of each other. It seemed, somehow, that the mystical hand of Fate had intervened, for the strangest feature in these links was that the derelict Maelgwyn, after being abandoned, was caught by currents and driven up onto Middleton Reef where she became re united, in death, with her sister ship.

Middleton reef’s worst disaster was the loss of the Errol, a Nor wegian barque bound for Newcastle from Peru. She carried 22 people, includ

ing Mrs. Andreason, the wife of the skipper, and their four young children.

The vessel struck the northern fringes of the reef in bad weather, at midnight on June 18, 1909. Heavy seas soon breached her and in the confusion of the disaster the first mate and three sailors were washed overboard and drowned.

Daylight revealed a cheerless scene. The Errol was a hopeless wreck. Only her fore and aft sections remained awash and on these the 18 survivors clung.

There was tinned food in the galley— but the galley lay shattered at the bottom of the lagoon which was alive with sharks.

There was no rush of volunteers to dive for it. Then a young Australian seaman named Lawrence, with reckless disregard of the perils lurking below, went down and managed to secure a meagre supply of tinned food.

Days of despair slowly passed. On the fourth day Captain Andreason and his second mate were caught in under currents and drowned when trying to make a raft from floating timber in the lagoon. His wife was not spared the hor ror of later seeing his body devoured by sharks.

With the captain dead, discipline slackened among the remnants of the thirst and hunger-crazed crew. Ominous glances were cast at the children, but the faithful Lawrence appears to have taken the family as his charge and warded off attempts of violence by the more des perate.

Men weakened and slipped off the wreck into the seas below. The few sur vivors were now desperate. At last five of them completed a raft and put off for the Annasona, leaving Lawrence behind on the shattered Errol with his charges.

The Annasona had been wrecked two years previously, but had been flung high upon the reef, about four miles away, and appeared to be in a well-preserved con dition. The raft reached the wreck but

hot before it had capsized, drowning one of the five. The Annasona proved to be a bare hulk, securer than the Errol cer tainly, but without supplies.

A week after the disaster a steamer bound for the islands from Sydney passed close in by the reef but failed to observe the addition of the new wreck, or the frantic efforts the castaways were making to attract attention. The steamer un heeding continued on, finally disappearing over the horizon.

Meanwhile, back on the Errol, tragedy had again struck. One morning Law rence awoke to find the bodies of the woman and her children floating on the lagoon. The demented heart-broken woman had at last carried out her promise to rejoin her husband. On that battered hulk of tragedy Lawrence was left to himself and his bitter thoughts.

On the twenty-sixth day of their ordeal —ten days without water—another steamer approached the reef, sighted the wreck and this time deliverance was at hand. Those who survived were picked up in the last stages of exhaustion. They were only five, but it is satisfying to know that the devoted Lawrence was among them. The curtain was at last rung down on the drama of the Errol.

To-day on Elizabeth Reef there are no visible remains of its wrecks. Time, tides and tempests have dislodged them from this reef’s grip and the dead ships lie in waters fathoms deep.

But on Middleton a few ribs from the shattered Errol protrude. And despite the bombing by the RAAF, which used it for war-time target practice, the old Anna sona still clings there, her bow pointing defiantly upwards as if challenging the heavens to dislodge her.

With the passing of the era of sail and the fact that the reefs are chartered and given a wide berth, it is many years since the seas brought them their grim tribute. The last victim Eliza beth claimed was the barque, Askoy in 1911, but Middleton Reef, almost as if aghast at the catastrophe it brought to the ill-fated Errol, has made no more claims on shipping.

These six youngsters, representing Fijian, Indian and European communities of Fiji were standard bearers at the 75th Anniversary of Cession celebrations on October 10.

Photo by Public Relations Office, Fiji.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 58-60 (2 items)

56

DECEMBER, 1949 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLI

Burns Philp (New Guinea) Limited

General Merchants (Wholesale and Retail)

Shipping, Customs and General Agents

Head Office; PORT MORESBY, PAPUA

BRANCHES:

NEW GUINEA: Rabaul, Kokopo, Lae & Madang.

PAPUA: Samarai.

REPRESENTATIVES FOR:

AUSTRALIAN AGENTS:

LONDON AGENTS:

QUEENSLAND INSURANCE CO. LTD.

LLOYD'S OF LONDON

BURNS PHILP TRUST CO. LTD.

BURNS, PHILP Cr CO. LTD.

All States.

BURNS, PHILP & CO. LTD.

"London House", 35 Crutched Friars, E.C.3.

SAN FRANCISCO AGENTS:

BURNS, PHILP CO. OF SAN FRANCISCO INC. 510 Matson Building.

Distributing Agents, Territory of Papua-New Guinea for;

SHELL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Petroleum Products

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile Cars Chevrolet and GMC Trucks Frigidaire Refrigerators

VAUXHALL MOTORS LIMITED

Vauxhall Cars and Bedford Trucks

R. A. LISTER a CO., BRISTOL

Producers of Petrol, Paraffin and Diesel Engines Pumps and Lighting plants

RUSTON HORNSBY LIMITED

Engines

CROSSLEY MARINE ENGINES

W; Made in the Australian Branch Factory of

BLUNDELL SPENCE & CO., LTD., Hull,

B. & S. SUPER PREPARED PAINT embodies the knowledge and experience gained from nearly 140 years of Paint manufacture.

Tested and proved for tropical conditions, B. Gr S. PREPARED PAINT is also available in a special Lead-free series for use in volcanic and other sulphurous regions. (Specify B. & S.-Series 2301).

Ask for supplies of these and other BLUN- DELL Paints and Enamels from your local Storekeeper, or write for particulars and colour-cards to the Agent lor Pacific Islands :

KERR BROTHERS PTY. LTD.

4 YORK STREET, SYDNEY

Modern Fijian

pp. 60-61

Examined

By Old Resident

(A Letter to the Editor) AS an old resident I should like to com ment upon Mr. Price’s letter, pub lished in June PIM, wherein he de fended Indian workmen in Fiji, and was rather critical of Fijians. It was rather bluntly put; but, rather than chide him for indiscretion, I should like to con gratulate him on having the courage to sign his name to what was obviously an honest expression of his views about Fijians generally.

His letter prompted two Fijians, attend ing Auckland University, suddenly to remember what a noble race they rep resented. They greatly deprecate that all Fijians, including .themselves, should be classed with the “unfortunate speci mens who attracted Mr. Price.” No doubt Mr. Price had not met educated “speci mens” like them. I have had the pleasure of knowing many, so I take it upon myself to speak for Mr. Price.

Like most natives of their type, your correspondents have only the sketchiest idea of Fijian communal life and history and have their whole conception of them selves and their people embodied in Rous seau’s theory, as a result of their sojourn in New Zealand, where they have learned that they are Nature’s gentlemen, or children of nature, or both; and if, as a race, they have any faults they were en tirely due to the advent of the white man with his “vices and diseases.” Such is the outlook of our Anglo-Saxon idealists to-day, and this is instilled into these unfortunates who come to be “edu cated.”

That the Fijians are a proud race is news to me. I know much of their vanity; but racial pride is a new term for them and, in their own language, it had to be coined for them—like the words “grati tude” and “love,” which qualities were never known, and hence had no place in their vocabulary.

With the usual “Fijian educated” com plex, they refer to “colour” and “full blooded Fijian,” showing the usual prejudice of their type to the race that is educating them. Their prejudice at present is probably in the embryo stage, and will come to full maturity when they return to Fiji and find that the local Europeans, unlike those in New Zealand, maintain the racial barriers.

The suggestion that the book written by Helen D. Cato should be accepted as the truth about the Fijians is a trifle humorous. I should rather suggest “His tory of Fiji” by R. A. Derrick, who did know a little. When your correspondents suggest there are no “rogues, vagabonds and other personalities” among the Fijians, I can only imagine they mean criminals and, if this is so, a perusal of the Fiji papers over the last year would be enlightening.

IFEEL, in writing this letter, I am at tempting to be a kindergarten teacher; the position would be comical if it were not tragic. Your correspondents are two of many natives who are train ing in the outside world to be something they can never be; that is, reasonable substitutes for Europeans. As parasites on their community, grabbers of public funds, autocrats and general oppressors they will probably be quite successful as so many of their kind are.

The old Fijian, between whom and the Whiteman there was always genuine af

fection, has passed on, to the detriment of Fiji. He would work, not because he “worshipped a man whose skin hap pened to be white,” but because he loved work for work’s sake, as all honest men do. He respected the white man for what the white man was—not just white in skin, but something your two correspon dents will probably never understand—and the white man respected the Fijian for what he knew the Fijian to be.

We now live in another era and. though the conditions are the work of my own race, I can only say, what an appalling result of their efforts! With their usual good intentions, they are making a race of worthless beings out of a hitherto likeable people. Education will do every thing (they argue)—and here are two of the results.

With very little knowledge of their own race, and far less of the race that has nurtured them, they are supposed to be fitted to lead their own people into a better way of living. The first noticeable result of their higher education will be a considerable increase in the alcohol consumed in the Suva hotels, and a greater number of bad debts on the Chinese storekeepers’ books.

That is now tne Government hopes to fight the Indian problem: by backing a horse that has already lost. The Indian does at least justify his existence. The modern Fijian does not —or, rather, the modern Fijian is as the Native Adminis tration would have him be.

I am, etc.,

Fiji, 22/10/49.

New Era.

Ravuama Vunivalu, who has been studying co-operative methods in the United Kingdom, Europe and Ceylon, has returned to Fiji.

Opening New South Coast

p. 61

Road, W. Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, November, 18.

A LARGE feast, in true Samoan style, was given on November 12 at Poutasi, Falealili district, by the Faipule of the district, Te’o and the people of Fale alili, to celebrate the opening of an im portant stretch of the new road between Siumu and Poutasi which connects Apia

direct with the South Coast of Upolu.

The High Commissioner, Government officials, European and Samoan repre sentatives and a large gathering* of Samoans, estimated at about 7,000, at tended the monster function.

The High Commissioner complimented the district on the valuable work it had done on the road, which would be of great benefit to them. A collection, taken for the establishment of a district hospi tal in Falealili, realised over £l,OOO.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 61-62 (1 item)

William H. Watson

HAMMOND ORGANS

and

SOLOVOX Piano Attachments

(FULLY TROPICALISED)

Available for speedy shipment from

Hongkong

ALL ENQUIRIES WILL RECEIVE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

AUSTRALIAN INTERSTATE AGENCIES

Importers and Exporters of Overseas and Hongkong Manufactured Products.

G.P.O. BOX 2207, HONGKONG. Cables: “Austproduct,” Hongkong.

ESTABLISHED 1930

WILLIAM H. WATSON

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS

Wholesale and Retail Trader

LICENSED STAMP DEALER

Agent For:—

BRITISH TRADERS 7 INSURANCE CO.

CORONA 6* L C. SMITH TYPEWRITERS

KAISER & FRAZER MOTOR CARS

B.S.A. CYCLES AND MOTOR CYCLES

AMERICAN LEAD PENCIL CO.

WHITES AVIATION LTD.

Manufacturers of: FOOTWEAR, ALL CLASSES SUITABLE FOR NATIVE TRADING . . . MO P. PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ROUND EAR-RING BLANKS AND BUTTON BLANKS Exporter of: “Rarotonga” Hula-Skirts.

Sea-Shell Necklaces.

M.O.P. Jewellery.

Island Produce.

Cable Address: “Watson” Rarotonga Wholesale and Retail Inquiries Invited.

Prepared to Consider Agencies for all Class of Goods.

Bankers: Importer of: Textiles.

General Hardware.

Fancy Goods.

General Merchandise.

Bank of New Zealand, Auckland.

DON'T SAY GIN

(JIM DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAT

DON'T SAY G I N

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY G I M

C‘ IM DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY G I

G I M DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

G I M DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY CIM

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY G I M

G IM DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY G I N

DON'T SAY G 1

G say

DON'T SAY G I N

GIN DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY GIN

DON'T SAY

M Y

DON

m D S Gift Ll ou iTo °Ur n e Cq c IS s ychi ey

SKIP

DON"

Gin DON'T S

DON'T SAY G I M

G SAY

DO G D AY M

SAY

'T SAY

DON'T 3XP mi I M

DON'T SAY G I M

GIM DON'T SAY

DON'T SAY G I M

DON'T SAY

M Y S AT Qcv * N

VQU

WHs A# Ifo *

SAY

AlLs S y<^ * IN S *t£.

Br ish ar, e

DON'T

GIN DON'T

DON'T SAY GIN DON'T

'T SAY

JIN

Telegrams and Cables: "GILBETS,” Melbourne Address aU inquiries to:

W. & A. GILBEY LTD.

33 EOSSLYN STREET, WEST MELBOURNE.

Telegrams and Cables: “GILBETS.” Sydney.

109 REGENT STREET. SYDNEY.

Population of Moturiki , Fiji , Will

pp. 63-64

Be “Mass Educated” Next Year

announced by the South Pacific Commission in November, the small island of Moturiki, off the west coast of Ovalau, in Fiji, has been selected as the site for an experiment in community development. The ex periment will be conducted by ifCe Government of Fiji as part of a SPC project, and just what it means is described in the following article prepared by the Public Relations Office, Suva. It is scheduled to begin in January.

By way of explanation it is stated that community development schemes have been carried out in other British colonial territories under the name of “Mass Education” and they are “designed to promote better living in the whole of the community that is participating.”

The idea of being mass observed, or mass educated, or even of being promoted to better living en masse, will fill many readers with horror.

Others, conditioned to such post-war experiments, will view the project with an open mind. Nothing is said in the PRO statement as to how the 500 Fijian inhabitants of Moturiki feel about it, but as Fijians invariably co operate 100 per cent, wth all Govern ment-sponsored schemes, their good

will must be taken for granted. If the scheme is carried out in its

entirety they will benefit materially.

MOTURIKI has been chosen for the project in Fiji for a number of reasons. As a small island, five miles in length and two miles wide, it offers a finite field for experiment and recording. It contains a small tikina of just over 500 persons, grouped in 10 vil lages. These villages may be dealt with independently, but the island might also be considered as a single community. The island is capable of agricultural economy.

A reasonably accessible market for pro duce is available at Levuka.

The exact lines along which develop ment will take place on Moturiki have not yet been decided but among the pro posals which have been suggested are the re-building of houses and of the District School on the island, the development of copra production and the introduction of pineapples, the formation of co-operatives for farming and marketing, the introduc tion of small livestock, improvements to the island’s water supply and to latrines, health education, improved nutrition, the development of local crafts, a literacy campaign, and the construction of a jetty to facilitate the marketing of pro duce.

The project will be planned and its progress assisted by an Advisory Group led by the Director of Education, who is also an Associate Member of the South Pacific Research Council. Others in the Advisory Group will be the Director of

Medical Services, the Director of Agri culture, the District Commissioner Southern (in whose district Moturiki lies), the .Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Ratu Edward Cakobau, rep resenting the Fijian Affairs Board.

The project will be carried out by a Fijian community team, which will probably consist of a leader and co-opera tive adviser, a woman instructor for home crafts and handicrafts, a senior assistant nurse for maternity and infant welfare

work, an assistant Mosquito Inspector for work on hygiene and public health, a Field Assistant from the Department of Agriculture and a carpenter and house builder. The health workers will be un der the general supervision of an Assis tant Medical Practitioner, who will visit Moturiki from time to time.

When the team has been selected it will begin the project by making a com prehensive preliminary survey of Moturiki, with the assistance of specialist officers

from Government Departments where necessary. The survey will cover such things as land tenure, land utilisation, housing and hygiene and the occupations and incomes of the adults on the island.

There will be a survey of the intelligence, practical ability and attainment of the school children. A comprehensive set of photographs of the island will be taken.

It is expected that the preliminary sur vey will take about six weeks and the team will then go to Nasinu Training College for training in work on the pro ject. Using the results of the preliminary survey, the team will consider what can be attempted at Moturiki and how it can best be done. They will work out methods of co-operation between individual mem bers of the team and they will consider the incentives by which the co-operation of the people of Moturiki can best be en listed. Methods of recording and cost ing the project will be worked out.

During the training period, arrange ments will be put in hand for building quarters of native type construction on Moturiki for the team and observers.

When the project ends there will be a re-survey along the lines of the pre liminary survey, so that the progress which has resulted from the project can be measured. Further surveys will be carried out later from time to time as the agricultural and medical schemes mature.

It is expected that during the project opportunities will be found for selecting leaders for further community develop ment schemes among the Fijian people.

Throughout the course of the project facilities will be afforded for visits bv ob servers both from other parts of Fiji and from the territories embraced by the South Pacific Commission.

Salaries of workers on the project will be paid by the Government of Fiji and all other expenses involved will be met by the South Pacific Commission.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 63-64 (1 item)

A. B. Donald Limited

OVERSEAS MAGAZINES

Direct to You from the Publishers.

American:

CHARM 40/6

COLLIERS WEEKLY 817-

CORONET 27/9

ESQUIRE 1087-

HARPER’S BAZAAR 108/9

LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL 547-

LIFE 697-

LOOK 54/-

POPULAR MECHANICS 40/6

READERS’ DIGEST 12/-

SATURDAY EVENING POST 99/-

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 77/6

TIME 967-

VOGUE 155/3

YACHTING 60/3

English:

APOLLO 52/6

COURIER 50/6

PICTURE POST 27/6

PUNCH 46/3

TATLER 122/-

TIMES WEEKLY 38/-

Rates are for one year and include all charges. Many other overseas periodicals available on all subjects.

ALL ORDERS AIR-MAILED TO

PUBLISHERS.

MAIL PUBLICITY CO., 175 PITT

STREET, SYDNEY, N.S.W.

A. B. DONALD LIMITED

RAROTONGA COOK ISLANDS

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: “DONALD, RAROTONGA.”

General Merchants (Wholesale & Retail) and Shipowners Importers & Exporters Branches Throughout Cook Islands Fire, Marine & Motor Vehicles Insurance Agents for Yorkshire

Insurance Co.

Lloyd’s Agents.

Agents and Distributors for : ENGLAND.—Austin Cars & Trucks, Pye Radios, Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., Vauxhall Cars & Trucks, R. A. Lister & Co., Ltd., Phillips' Cycles, Marples Tools.

U.S.A.—Remington Rand Corp., Radio Corp. of America, Champion Spark Plug Co., Firestone Tyres, General Steamship Corp.

NEW ZEALAND.—Vacuum Oil Co. Pty., Ltd* Petroleum Products.

AUSTRALlA.—Wunderlich, Ltd., Cement Asbestos Products.

NORWAY.—O. Mustad & Sons, Fish Hooks.

SWEDEN.—B. A. Hjorth & Co., Primus Products.

Sydney Agents : London Agents : San Francisco Agents : BURNS, PHILP & CO., LTD. BURNS, PHILP & CO., LTD. BURNS, PHILP CO. OF SAN FRANCISCO.

Head Office: — A. B. DONALD, LTD., Auckland.

Associate Houses:— ETABLISSEMENTS DONALD, Tahiti, Papeete, Society Islands.

DOMINION FRUIT CO., Suva, Fiji Islands.

CODES: Bentley's Complete Phrase, Acme

GILLESPIE’S

The Flour

TRADE

MARK

of the Islands

- SY DN EY -

Telegram: "CARRLOCK" P.O. Box 2140, Hong Kong

CARRLOCK CO. LTD.

2nd Floor, Queen's Bldg., Chafer Road, HONG KONG

General Merchants :: Commission Agents

Exporters and Shippers of All Kinds of Merchandise To the Pacific Islands Representatives of Leading Manufacturers

in HONG KONG

INQUIRIES INVITED

Baptists Enter Mission

p. 65

Field

New Station In New Guinea Highlands

WITH singularly little beating of drums, the Australian Baptist Church has established itself in the New Guinea Mission field. A few months ago, a pioneer party from the newly organised Baptist New Guinea Mission went into the remote and isolated Baiyer Valley, 40 miles beyond Mount Hagen, in the newly-discovered Central Highlands region of New Guinea, and there estab lished a mission station.

The work has gone ahead quickly and there is now a white staff of eight on the station, including two nursing sisters, in charge of Reverends J. Green and A.

Kroenert. The Baptists report that the people are very primitive, but are of a good type, and react quickly and satis factorily to European instruction. The Baptists are giving special attention to technical training.

When Miss Wesley Smith and Mrs. A.

Kroenert proceeded to the Station re cently they were incorrectly described in the PIM as LMS missionaries. Sister Jean Lawes, who also accompanied Miss Wesley Smith to New Guinea, has gone to the Lutheran hospital at Finschhafen for two months’ training before going on to the new station.

The Baiyer Valley runs north and south.

It is about eighteen miles long, and 40 miles north-east of Mt. Hagen, five or six miles wide; 3,500 feet above sea level; and surrounded by mountains running up to six and seven thousand feet. Fast flow ing rivers cascade along the base of the mountains and tumble through gorges and rapids to join the Sepik River a hundred miles away.

The Baptist Mission station is on a plateau at the northern end of the Baiyer Valley and commands a view of the air strip (seven miles away) and, indeed, of the whole area. There are about 10,000 people of the Enga tribe—so far, un affected by Europeans—scattered in farms and small villages through Baiyer Valley, and countless thousands more in the surrounding areas.

Christening at Vanikoro

p. 65

From A Special Correspondent AT isolated Vanikoro Island, Santa Cruz Group, ESI, best known for its valu able kauri timber, the Rev. J. F.

Goldie, chairman of the Methodist Mis sion in the Solomons, on October 13, christened the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Hodgson, who are recent arrivals from South Australia.

The baby, Annettel Marie, is the youngest of Vanikoro’s present white population of thirteen, and is the first white baby to be christened on the Island.

It was a case of a meeting between the youngest and oldest inhabitants; Annette had made her entry into the Solomons at the Central Protectorate Hospital at Honiara, 11 days previously and the Rev.

Goldie went to ESI in 1902.

The cost of transporting a young Fijian stowaway in the Waihemo to Vancouver and bringing him back in the Aorangi was £Bl/16/6. When the youth was charged at the Suva Magistrate’s Court it was stated that his father had agreed to repay the money at the rate of £2 a month. The boy was bound over for two years in his father’s recognisance of £lO, with two sureties of £lO each.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 65-66 (1 item)

</ACK t>A!/£y

Famous RADIO STAR AND AUCTIONEER

says :

“Hor licks takes

the Jack Pot

for flavour and

nourishment!”

“What am I offered?”

W'hen Jack Davey steps onto his auctioneering rostrum at eleven in the morning he doesn’t come down again until four in the afternoon!

And that happens every Thursday and Friday at “Hi Ho House”, Sydney. In that time he trill sell anything from a fork to a fox fur — nonstop! “Yes,” says Jack , “I’ve got to keep going flat out for five solid hours — that’s why I always have a glass of Horlicks before I start.”

Radio Star, auctioneer, newspaper columnist, song writer . .. where does he get all that bubbling energy? Listen to Jack Davey himself: “I’ve been a Horlicks regular for many years.

Horlicks has always kept me going at the top of my form.”

Just like Jack Davey, you’ll enjoy the delicious, distinctive flavour of Horlicks. And, like Jack, you’ll find that Horlicks will give you extra energy.

The full, satisfying flavour of Horlicks comes from a careful blend of fresh, full-cream milk and the nutritive extracts of malted barley and wheat. It is Nature’s flavour . . . that’s why you never tire of it.

Many people drink Horlicks simply because they enjoy that distinctive flavour. Others drink Horlicks because they need it to build them up ... to nourish the body and nerves . . . and to induce deep, refreshing sleep.

But whatever the reason everyone enjoys Horlicks. It is equally delicious hot or cold.

Rich in These Food Values if# *0 iA^ >■**

VITAMIHSI

when mixed as directed

t" HORLICKS

8-oz. 0/ 0 16-oz.

TIN L L TIN g b

Prices slightly higher in country areas.

HEAVY MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

FOR THE ISLANDS TERRITORIES

Steamships Trading Company Ltd.

AUTOMOTIVE and MACHINERY DEPARTMENT

Distributors in Papua and New Guinea for —

MOTOR CARS

ROOTES, LTD.—Hillman Minx—Humber Hawk— Humber Snipe and Sunbeam-Talbot Cars.

WILLYS-OVERLAND —Universal Jeeps—Jeepsters —Jeep Station Waggons.

Papua only.

ROAD TRANS PORT

INTERNATIONAL HEAVY DUTY MOTOR

TRUCKS —15 cwt. to 8 tons Gross Carrying Capacity. Utility Bodies—Platform Bodies — Tippers—Semi-Trailers—Low Loaders, Etc.

AGRICULTURAL MA CHINER Y

McCORMICK-DEERING FARM TRACTORS, all

sizes, Wheel and Crawler Types.

FARM MACHINERY to suit every Purpose— Ploughs Harrows Cultivators Planters Harvesters Grass-Mowers Hay Rakes & Power Pressers —Chaff Cutters —Feed Grinders —Hammer Mills, Etc.

RICE-MILLING MACHINERY —Hullers—Pearlers Polishers Threshers & Dressers Seed Graders —Aspirators—also Complete Mills from 100 to 3,000 lb. capacity rice per hour.

EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT

Bullgraders Dozers Excavators Front End Loaders —Road Graders —Road-Rippers—Waggon Scoops—Quarry Dumpers—Bitumen Sprayers, Etc.

TIMBER LOGGING AND

MILLING EQUIPMENT

Diesel Logging Tractors —Timber Trucks—Timber Jinkers—Log Haulers—Tractor Logging Winches —Truck Mounted Loading & Front End Pull Winches—Wire Rope, Etc.

SAW-MILLING MACHINERY Circular Saw

Benches—Circular Rack Saws Gr Log Mills up to 31" depth of cut.

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

DIESEL STATIONARY ENGINES —from 5 h.p.

upward, all purposes.

DIESEL MARINE ENGINES—from 5 h.p. upward W/Reverse £r Reducing Gears.

OUTBOARD MOTORS—2i to 22 h.p.

MOBILE CRANES—Wharf & Material Handling, 1 to 5 tons Capacity.

PUMPS & PUMPING PLANTS—Agriculture- Mining and General Purpose Pumps.

ELECTRIC GENERATING SETS —sizes to suit every purpose —A.C.-D.C. current.

ELECTRIC MOTORS—GENERATORS—FractionaI

sizes upwards—A.C. and D.C. current.

GANG & POWER GRASS MOWERS—Municipal,

Golf Course and Airfield use.

REFRIGERATORS

ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR and KEROSENE

OPERATED Food Storage Capacity. Models 4 to 7 Cubic Feet.

AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT

STORAGE BATTERIES —for every purpose—Car —Truck—Radio —Marine—Lighting sets.

TYRES £r TUBES —Cars—Trucks —Tractors — Industrial Equipment.

HYDRAULIC LIFTING JACKS—i ton to 10 ton capacity.

GENERAL CAR AND TRUCK ACCESSORIES—

Electrical & Hydraulic Replacements—Clutch Linings, Brake Linings, Etc.

Adequate stocks of spare parts are available tor all vehicles and machinery at our

SERVICE PARTS DEPOT

PORT MORESBY

Postal Address: Port Moresby, Papua

Telephone : Moresby, 476

Cable Address: “Steamships,” Port Moresby

Death Of Mr. D. H. Ward

pp. 67-68

Daru, Papua, Nov. 3.

rpHE death occurred in his sleep yes- JL terday of Mr. D. H. Ward, European medical assistant. His funeral, to day, was attended by European residents, native medical orderlies, members of the Royal Papuan Constabulary, and a large number of natives.

Mr. Ward leaves a widow and daughter who will, for the present, continue to live at Daru. He had been stationed at Daru for some time and was well liked by all who knew him, his efforts on be half of his native patients being greatly appreciated.

Mr. N. E. Nilsen, late geperal manager of Emperor Gold Mine, Fiji, and Mrs.

Nilsen arrived in Sydney in November.

Mr. Nilsen will in future act as head of the Emperor Company, in place of Mr, E. G. Theodore (retired recently owing to ill-health) and will pay frequent visits to Fiji.

Mr. J. N. Clifford, an Australian service man who has had his sight restored by surgery, will leave Sydney soon to spend a long holiday in Fiji. Japanese ill treatment, while he was a prisoner on the Burma Road, caused the complete loss of his sight, about 1944. He was persuaded, six months ago,, to go to England for a specialist operation. When, five weeks after the operation, the bandages were removed, he could see again. The specialist had straightened a twisted nerve.

Advertisements & other items, p. 67 (2 items)

65

PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY DECEMBER, 1949

PAGO PAGO IS A DIS

APPOINTMENT

(Continued from page 51)

Budge

Cpnldhed

For Tropical conditions

Velvene Water Paint and Davison's Zinc Base Paints are used extensively throughout the islands and Mandated Territories on Government and Private buildings, giving full satisfaction under severe tropical conditions.

DAVISON PAINTS

BOX 24. AUBURN. NB.W.

LTD

TELEPHONES: LA 5034-5-6

BUDGE

REFRIGERATION

EQUIPMENT

Commercial and Industrial Units (not domestic) Ammonia and Methyl Chloride machines of large or small capacity.

The illustration is of a complete 30 cwt. Ice-making Plant, comprising twin, enclosed ammonia compressor, evaporative condenser, insulated ice tank, etc. It may be driven by a 10 h.p. electric motor or diesel engine.

Inquirers should mention dimensions of cold room (or cabinet) and amount of ice (if any) required per day.

JAMES BUDGE PTY. LTD.

Established 1890.

REFRIGERATION ENGINEERS

McEvoy Street, Alexandria,

Sydney

W. Samoa Legislative Assembly

pp. 68-72

Keenly Debates Territory Affairs

Prom Our Own Correspondent

APIA, November 18.

THE Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa met on October 26 for its third session for 1949 at the Fono

House at Mulinu’u, the traditional seat of the Samoan Government. The Sup plementary Estimates for the current financial year and other important busi ness were discussed. The session ended on November 11. The debates were car ried on in English and Samoan and for the first time broadcast, in full, by Apia Broadcasting Station, 2AP. The public took a great interest in this innovation and welcomed the opportunity to listen to the proceedings which previously had been open to only a few of the favoured.

Status of Chinese A REPORT presented to the Assembly by the High Commissioner on the status of Chinese inhabitants of Western Samoa was vigorously debated.

Certain requests had been made by the Chinese Consul in Suva, Fiji, on behalf of the Chinese inhabitants of the Territory and the Government desired to elucidate public feeling before making a decision.

There are 173 Chinese in the Territory, 83 of whom are old men over 60. and 90 younger men working on plantations. It was contended that there are no legal powers to restrict Chinese in their choice of work and employment and that the Chinese will automatically become free citizens of the Territory in the next four years. The existing prohibition of mar riage between Chinese- and Samoan women had also to be considered, as in the opinion of the New Zealand Govern ment this prohibition is now not war ranted. The offspring of these unions

which cannot be legalised are, of course, illegitimate in law.

During the debate the opinion was ad vanced that the present difficulty was due to the laxity of the former Governments in not carrying out the repatriation of Chinese labourers after the expiration of their three-year contracts. Samoan and European members agreed, however, that the small remaining number of full blooded Chinese should be allowed to be come free settlers. It was also agreed that the descendents of unions of Chinese and Samoan women, should of their own choice, be allowed to take the status either of Samoans or Europeans and enjoy the full rights of their new status and that their illegitimacy should be no bar to citizenship, as the conception of illegi timacy was, in any case, unknown to Samoan custom until the arrival of the missionaries. The immediate lifting of the prohibition of legal marriage between Chinese and Samoans was also recom mended unanimously by members. Any further immigration of Chinese into the Territory, including re-entry of Chinese formerly repatriated was, however, strongly opposed by Samoan members.

Finances THE financial position of the Territory was disclosed when the Supplemen tary Estimates for the current finan cial year were submitted to the Assembly.

Estimated receipts in the Main Estimates were £421,600 and transferred from Re serves £118,150. In the Supplementary Estimates, the estimated revenue is in creased by £23,985 (mainly Store Tax, copra export duty and building tax). Ad ditional expenditure asked for in the Supplementary Estimates amounts to £8,405, leaving at the end of the financial year, an estimated credit balance of £19,415 which will be returned to Reserves.

In addition to this there is still the General Reserve Fund of £500,000.

In the debate that followed, several members criticised the Government finan cial policy and expressed apprehension of the future. Stricter economy was ad vocated and the hope expressed that the appointment cf a new Public Service Commission shortly would lead to more economical working of the various De partments and greater efficiency. The newly-established Agricultural Depart ment should be of assistance in a drive for increased production, which in turn should provide more revenue for the Government.

During the debate on the Education De partment vote, the construction of ex pensive school buildings at the present time was severely criticised by members Plans and specifications had, in the opinion of members, not been prepared with sufficient care and in some cases es timates were greatly exceeded. Though the necessity of a good and thorough edu cation was generally acknowledged, some members considered that the present ex penditure on education strained the financial resources of the country to the utmost.

In the matter of health services it was suggested that free medical services should be provided for all inhabitants and instead of the present payments for services, a medical levy should be introduced.

An incrase in remuneration from £52 to £7B per annum was granted to the members of the Fono of Faipule, the Samoan Parliament, owing to the increase in the cost of living.

In a debate on Government vehicles for the island of Savai’i, a Savai’i represen tative strongly urged the claims of the Savai’i people for more consideration by the Government, as Savai’i was contri buting a large share of the Government revenue through the large quantities of cocoa and copra produced on the island.

The Public Works Department vote was criticised and the Government accused of exceeding by £1,600 the vote on a building bought for housing a new teacher from New Zealand and using this large building for one teacher instead of for several as was recommended by the Assembly.

In discussing the vote for the improve ment of reef passages, particularly in Savai’i, Government, European and Samoan members stressed the need for this work and recommended more expen

(Continued on page 69)

diture for these urgently required im provements.

Empire Preference A REPORT tabled by a Select Commit tee of the Assembly making certain recommendations regarding abolition of the existing Preferential Customs Tariff on British goods, and modification of certain tariff rates, caused a lengthy and interesting discussion. Reduction of duty on staple lines, mainly foodstuffs was also recommended by the Committee in order to lower the cost of living for the people.

Recommendations for the expansion of existing industries and introduction of new industries in the Territory were also made and a protective tariff was sug gested, to stimulate and assist.

The report was received by the As sembly and referred to the Government for consideration and action.

Meat Inspection A REPLY to a question by a member re garding the present system of meat inspection in the Territory evoked the answer from the Chief Medical Officer that there was no regular meat inspec tion at all, because of shortage of staff in the Health Department. The CMO admitted also that practically all herds of cattle in the Territory were infected with Tuberculosis. He minimised the danger by stating that meat from young cattle who are less diseased does not en danger human health, especially if well cooked. At present only samples of meat are occasionally taken from carcases. In the debate that followed, this situation was condemned by members who strongly requested that regular meat inspection be resumed immediately to safeguard meat consumers, particularly as TB is steadily spreading among the inhabitants of the Territory. Inspection of herds and eli mination of diseased beasts was also re commended.

UK Copra Contract INFORMATION was given regarding the present copra contract with the British Ministry of Food, which has just been received in Apia. The contract price in Samoan currency is £4B of which £45 is paid to exporters and £3 is retained by the Copra Board towards the Stabilisa tion Fund.

A motion to increase remunerations of members of the Legislative Assembly was approved of, although European members voted against it. European members ac knowledged, however, that Samoan mem bers, coming to Apia from faraway districts, had more expenses and had, in accordance with Samoan custom, great obligations of entertainment, travelling expenses, etc.

Radio LACK of co-operation of villagers in the broadcasting scheme and neglect of receiving sets in the villages causing considerable cost and trouble to the Government was described in a report by the Superintendent of Radio submitted to the Assembly. This led to a lengthy de bate in which the lack of interest of vil lagers was attributed to the monotonous programmes provided and various sug gestions for improvement of broadcasting services were made. Some difficulty was also experienced in placing the receiving sets in a suitable house in the villages so that they could be made available at all times to listeners and particularly to schoolchildren for educational broadcasts during the day. It was resolved that a special commission of inquiry visit out side districts and get into touch with vil lagers in order to effect improvements and attract interest in the programmes offered by Station 2AP.

Village Councils PROBABLY the most important sub ject before the Assembly was a motion by the secretary of Native

Affairs to investigate an increase in the powers of the Samoan village councils ( Ali’i and Faipule) and also the possibility of establishing a town government in the Apia area. This motion was widely de bated. It was generally agreed that the powers of the Ali’i and Faipule (chiefs and orators) in the villages should be

increased and that present laws restrict ing their powers should be amended to bring them into line with the new set-up of Government. The second part of the motion, the possibility of town govern ment in Apia and its investigation by a proposed Commission of Inquiry, found strong opposition amongst the Samoan members who remember something of the old municipality of Apia 50 years ago, which was a foreign area in which the

Samoans had no say whatever. Reference to the town government in Apia was de leted from the motion and it was agreed that the Commission of Inquiry consider only the question of local government in the villages and districts.

Revaluation of Currency AMOTION to investigate the advisa bility of establishing an independent •Samoan £ as apart from the New

Zealand £, was, after lengthy discussion, referred to a Select Committee of the Assembly for further action. It was pointed out that New Zealand conditions, economic and political, were totally dif ferent from those in Samoa and that the present dependence of the Samoan currency on the New Zealand currency may in future lead to serious economic disadvantages for Samoa.

On conclusion of the business before the Assembly the High Commissioner commented that the session had been a difficult one, but although lengthy and somewhat tiring had been interesting and informative. The debates had been par ticularly useful to the Government and official members.

Visit of USA Congressional Party to Assembly A PLEASING interlude during the session occurred on November 8 when a party of members of the US Congress, who are on an official visit to American Samoa, flew over to Apia from Pago Pago and paid a courtesy visit to the Legislative Assembly then in ses sion at Mulinu’u. Speeches expressing the pleasure and goodwill and the spirit of co-operation and friendship existing between the two Governments and the people of American and Western Samoa were exchanged by the High Commis sioner and the Speaker of the Congres sional party.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 68-72 (2 items)

66

, n „*ri p T f ISLANDS MONTHLY DECEMBER. 1949 PACIFIC 1 » L A

A. Gregory Pty, Ltd.

IMPORTERS, EXPORTERS AND

MANUFACTURERS

Leather Saddlery and Paint

Merchants

ALL CLASSES OF LEATHER SUPPLIED FROM STOCK Apply direct to: A. GREGORY PTY., LTD., 107 York St., Sydney

C. SULLIVAN PTY. LTD.

Island Merchants

Over 30 years' experience in the Pacific Island Trade.

Expert Buying Service Original Invoices Furnished Sellers of Island Produce.

Represented in all Australian States, New Zealand, England, France, United States, etc.

BANKERS: Bank of New South Wales, Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paiis, Bank of New Zealand.

C. SULLIVAN PTY. LTD.

379 KENT STREET, SYDNEY

And at Melbourne and Brisbane.

Telegrams & Cables: "CHASULL,” Sydney. Phone: MJ4657 (6 lines).

Associate Co.: C. SULLIVAN, INC., 230 California St., San Francisco, U.S.A.

ART POSTCARDS OF

TONGA

Per Dozen (Including a Tin-Can Mail Cover), Postage Paid: 6/- (or one US Dollar).

TONGAN PHOTOS BUREAU

Nukualofa, Tonga

A. B. DONALD Ltd.

AUCKLAND

ISLAND TRADERS & GENERAL MERCHANTS

P.O. Box 1509. Cables & Telegrams, "Kingdom," Auckland

Asthma Curbed In 3 Minutes

Since the discovery of Mendaco by a famous physician sufferers can get relief from Asthma. Mendaco does away with expensive injections and offensive smokes.

All you do is to take 2 tasteless tablets with meals and Mendaco starts circulating through the blood In 10 minutes. You breathe easily and freely. Your nerves relax, you get good, fresh, pure air Into your lungs, and vigour returns.

Sleep Like a Baby

Thousands of former sufferers from Asthma say that the very first dose of Mendaco brought them glorious ease and comfort, and that they slept soundly the very first night. Then their vigour returned and they felt healthier and stronger, and 5 to 10 years younger. The reason for this is that Mendaco acts in natural ways to overcome the effects of Asthma. (1) It removes the mucus or phlegm; (2) It relaxes thousands of tiny muscles in your bronchial tubes so that the air can get In and out of your lungs; (3) It promotes body vigour, and stimulates the building of rich, revitalised blood.

No Asthma for Five Years

Mendaco not only brings almost Immediate results, free breathing and comfort and enables you to sleep, but also builds up the system to ward off future attacks. Mr.

J. R. writes: “I was almost dead with Asthma. Dad lost 40 lbs. in weight, snf-

fered coughing every night—couldn’t sleep, Mendaco stopped spasms first night. I have had no Asthma since in over 2 years.”

Mrs. A. W. writes: “I had Asthma for 25 years. After using Mendaco I can sleep all night and have not had an attack since taking it.” Mrs. G. E. C. writes: “I bless the day I first heard of Mendaco. What a godsend it is to a poor woman like me who for 35 years never knew what it was to have a good night’s rest. The constant fight between Asthma and sleep was wearing me down, but I feel now I want to forget my past suffering.”

Benefits Immediate

The very first dose of Mendaco goes right to work circulating through your blood and helping nature rid you of the effects of Asthma. Try Mendaco under an iron-clad money back guarantee. You be the judge.

If you don’t feel fully satisfied after taking Mendaco Just return the package and the purchase price will be refunded. Get Mendaco from your chemist to-day and see how well you sleep to-night and how much better you will feel.

RELIEVES ASTHMA

Mendaco

Now in 2 sizes 6/- and 12/-

Defy the Rain and Sun!

PRODUCTS

Are Specially Prepared for use in

the Tropics and will preserve your property

SPARTAN PAINTS & ENAMELS ARE

ECONOMICAI DURABLE . . . WASHABLE

. . . NON-FADING

Made from finest pigments and available in a wide range of colours.

Transforms drab, uninteresting woodwork, canework, metal, etc., into articles of lasting beauty.

SPARTAN PAINTS. Easy to apply; brush on evenly; cover large areas and dry out to a perfect finish.

SPARTAN ENAMELS. Quick-drying and recommended for all jobs in and around the house. Dries dust free within 2 hours and sets with a wear-resisting hardness overnight.

Other Spartan lines:—AUTO LACQUERS AND PRIMERS, DURA- FLEX SYNTHETIC ENAMELS, CAR POLISH AND CLEANER, AUTO WAX, SUPER FLOOR GLOSS FOR FLOORS, INDUSTRIAL

ENAMELS AND LACQUERS.

PAINT

A * Ask to see the

SPARTAN PAINT AND

ENAMEL COLOUR

CHARTS.

Choose from the lovely range available.

Prevents Dry-Rot & Termite Ravages in

TIMBERS, CANVAS, TARPAULINS, ROPES, JUTE GOODS, TENTS,

SAILS, NETS, ETC.

Hardiproof (Green) and Hardiproof (Clear) can be safely applied to all types of wood, textile fabrics and renders them immune to fungus attack.

Hardiproof (Green) is guaranteed to contain 20 per cent, of Copper Napthenate, and can be dipped, sprayed or brushed.

Is insoluble in water and does not leach out like other preservatives.

SPARTAN PRODUCTS ARE PROVED. USE THEM!

SPARTAN PAINTS PTY. LIMITED.

102-104 [ling Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

THE

YORKSHIRE

INSURANG

CO. LTD.

(Incorporated in England)

ALL CLASSES OF

INSURANCE

Including

Fire Motor Guarantee Accident Workers Marine Island Representatives:

PORT MORESBY: E. A. James

RABAUL: G. B. Black LAE: New Guinea Industries Ltd.

MADANG: R. MacGregor SUVA: Williams & Gosling Ltd.

NOUMEA: Y. Mortensen

NORFOLK ISLAND:

A. E. Martin

tTABLISSEMENTS DONALD TAHITI

HEAD OFFICE—QUAI DU COMMERCE—PAPEETE

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS—“DONALD, PAPEETE"

General Merchants (Wholesale & Retail) & Shipowners

Importers & Exporters—Branches Throughout Marquesas Islands

Lloyd’s Agents

ASSOCIATE

HOUSES:

A. B. DONALD, LTD.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.

A. B. DONALD, LTD.

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS.

DOMINION FRUIT CO.,

SUVA, FIJI ISLANDS.

Agents and Distributors for:

FRANCE:

HENNESSY COGNACS

MARIE BRIZARD & ROGER

LIQUEURS

CHARLES HEIDSIECK

CHAMPAGNES

PERRIER WATER

GRUBER BEER

U.S.A.:

GENERAL STEAMSHIP CORP.

RADIO CORP. OF AMERICA

BROWN & WILLIAMSON, LTD.

CIGARETTES: LUCKY STRIKE,

WINGS, OLD GOLD

CHAMPION SPARK PLUG CO.

RAINIER BEER

ENGLAND:

RECKITTS & COLMAN

(OVERSEAS), LTD.

PHILLIPS BICYCLES

THE BANK LINE LTD.

NEW ZEALAND:

VACUUM OIL CO. PTY., LTD.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

SWEDEN:

HJORTH & CIE

PRIMUS STOVES

Sydney Agents :

BURNS, PHTLP A CO., LTD.

London Agents : San Francisco Agents : Agents in France : BURNS, PHILP A CO., LTD. BURNS, PHILP CO. OF HARTH & CIE, PARIS.

SAN FRANCISCO. A. BICKART. MARSEILLES.

The Perfect Sink Unit

Available to a new streamlined design in Stainless Steel with a lustrous "Wunderbnte" finish.

Sizes 4', 4 6", 5' and 6' long by I 6 wide.

Ask your local Hardware Merchant, 'phone MX 241 I or write to Wunderlich Limited, Box 474, G.P.0., Sydney, for prices and leaflet.

MiOMIW

COMBINATION SINK & DRAINER

BRAND

Samoan Eagerness For

pp. 72-73

Education

WHEN the Western Samoan Legislative Assembly voted £2,000 for a new school at Aleisa, the Samoans of Aleisa were so pleased that they offered to provide the labour for nothing, so that a bigger building might be erected.

Under PWD supervision, a schoolhouse oi 65 ft. by 25 ft. was erected, divided by a movable partition. It now accommodates 136 Samoan children, and four teachers.

The photographs show: TOP. —The new schoolhouse and the teacher’s residence, at the back.

CENTRE.—The younger children clear

mg the small stones from their play ground.

LOWER. —Older pupils cutting fire wood which they sold to raise funds for a concrete cricket-pitch.

Coconuts from Rabaul have for the first time since the war, been on sale in Bris bane for some weeks now. A favourite fruit with Brisbane youngsters, the coco nuts are sent by sea in monthly consignments.

Reg. Smith, at the Edmonds plantation. Haapitl, Moorea, French Oceania, warns his big brown hen that she must not let her ducklings go near the river, to be taken by eels. And the hen didn’t! She complacently watched them swim in a pool made by a leaking tap beside the bungalow.

Advertisements & other items, p. 72 (1 item)

70

DECEMBER, 1949 PACIFTC ISLANDS MONTHLY

Tonga's Finance Minister

p. 73

Dies In Suva

Mr. Horace Evander Nicolson,

Minister of Finance in the Govern ment of Tonga and a member of the Queen’s Privy Council, died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, on November 25.

Accompanied by his wife, Mr. Nicolson

was taken to Suva from Nukualofa by art RNZAF Catalina on November 23, a few days after he had become ill.

Mr. Nicolson, who was born at Thames, New Zealand, 51 years ago, entered the Tongan Government service in 1925. His industry and devotion to the interests of the Kingdom won him the widest possible respect in all circles in Tonga as well as among many people in Fiji and New Zealand.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 73-74 (1 item)

poijok

GOLYER WATSON |cS>| LTD

RABAUL & KAVILNCjmMSm*-

Wholesale and Retail Merchants. Shipowners. Sawmillers.

General Engineers. Customs and Shipping Agents.

Catering for all Plantation Supplies. Buyers of Island Produce.

Plantation Owners and Managing Agents. v* Agents for:— Australia-West Pacific Line.

China Navigation Co.

Canton Insurance Office, Ltd.

Union As° ranee Society, Ltd.

Aust. T. v~ G. Mutual Life Society, Ltd.

Guinea Air Traders, Ltd.

CO. tTO

COLYEtt. **^ nd , CcVmteh-

Distributing Agents in New Guinea for:— Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam-Talbot , Chrysler and Plymouth Cars.

Commer, Harrier and Fargo Trucks.

Willys Overland Jeeps.

G.M. Marine and Industrial Engines.

Olympic Tyres and Cables.

Hygeia Dissolvenators.

Sherwin-Williams Paints.

Prefect Refrigerators.

Mullard Radios.

Aladdin Lamps.

Ewo Beer.

Snowflake Unsweetened Evaporated Milk.

e a«V

its

a o

m-tk

* =*> r; ra

os^ E!

VCfc*

u o ?s>

BU^ S

+ J

«THE GUARDSMAN

STORM LANTERN X 246

500 Candle Power If you think of night work— you must THINK OF TILLEY. THERE IS A LAMP FOR EVERY JOB, FROM THE 300 CANDLE POWER

“GUARDSMAN” STORM LANTERN. AS ILLU-

STRATED, TO THE 5,000 CANDLE POWER

PORTABLE FLOODLIGHT. EVERY TILLEY OUTDOOR LAMP IS ENTIRELY STORM PROOF AND WILL OPERATE IN THE WORST WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH COMPLETE RELIABILITY. MANUFACTURED TO THE HIGHEST ENGIN- EERING STANDARDS FROM THE FINEST MATERIALS. TILLEY PRODUCTS ARE THE FINEST YOU CAN BUY. THE LAMP WITH THE “ HAPPY MANTLES. ”

THE TILLEY LAMP COMPANY, LTD. HeNDON, ENGLAND

REPRESENTATION;

MELBOURNE: T. H. Bentley, Pty. Ltd., 123-125 William Street. Melbourne. Cl TASMANIA: Mr. H. V. Sellars, 108 a Charles Street, Launceston.

FIJI; Mr. K. Witherington, 2 Burns Philp Buildings, Suva.

Guinea Highlands Style

p. 75

The Gentle Art of Dentistry—New Guinea Highlands Style

DENTISTRY is playing an important part in the medical work now being carried out in the Central Highlands of New Guinea.

Most casual visitors to the Highlands

area hind this hard to believe because after the betelnut-chewing coastal natives, they are amazed at the ap parently strong-looking white teeth that the Highlanders possess. However, ex perience has proved that the natives in these areas have as many dental ailments as their coastal cousins—if not more. It is an odd day, indeed, that goes by with out a medical assistant or missionary being approached by a native holding his swollen face in his hands.

The dental work being carried out is, in the main, in its most elementary form, as like most native peoples, the Highland patients never present themselves for treatment before the pain drives them to

it, and by that time, the tooth—or teeth— are so far gone that there is only one answer to the problem, and that is ex traction.

This apparently does not cause them the anxiety and nervous tension that is common in most European dental clinics.

Their main worry is to be rid of the of fending tooth, and should they suffer a little pain in the course of extraction, they are only too pleased to put up with it. In some cases—particularly on isolated mis sion stations where supplies are hard to get and harder to keep—no anaesthetic is given, and by all reports, there has never yet been a native patient refuse to have an aching tooth removed because of the lack of it.

The usual amenities of Southern dental clinics are missing up here. The dental surgery is usually in the open air with the patient squatting on an upturned box which serves as a dental chair—as shown

in photograph.—DAlKA.

Advertisements & other items, p. 75 (1 item)

Alois Akun & Company

Better for School Books

They stand the rough and tumble. They're lighter and easier to carry.

Ask first for

SCHOOL CASES

'Mapf gr

FORD SHERINGTON LTD.

Telephone 136. Telegrams: “AKUN,” RABAUL.

ALOIS AKUN & COMPANY

RABAUL, TERRITORY OF NEW GUINEA

Also at 180 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, HONG KONG

Planters, Shipowners and General Merchants

WE CARRY STOCKS OF:—

(1) Embroidered Silkwear. Carved Camphor- (3) Cotton Piece Goods suitable for trade and wood Boxes. Eastern Fancy goods. issues. (2) The Best of Beers, in different brands — "Three Horse"—"San Miguel" "Red Trade goods of all descriptions: Wholesale Horse // -t-"Allsopp / s". and Retail.

Proropt attention to all orders Sydney Representatives: NELSON & ROBERTSON PTY., LTD., Electra House, 12 Spring St., Sydney, N.S.W.

Rising Cost of Fiji

p. 76

Health Service

Suva, Nov. 27.

rE cost of Fiji’s medical service has trebled in the last 13 years, rising from 8/0.77d. a head in 1936 to 24/4.49d. a head in 1948.

During 1948, gross expenditure totalled £351,764; revenue totalled £21,545, and net expenditure £330,219.

Rising costs of drugs, equipment and feeding of patients are responsible for the increase.

The Medical Department’s statistics show that the five main hospitals (Suva, Lautoka, Levuka, Labasa and Tamavua) cared for more Indian in-patients in 1948 than patients for all other races com bined. Indian patients numbered 5,497 and others totalled 4,670 (710 Europeans and part-Europeans, 3,196 Fijians, 764 Chinese and others).

Out-patients at Suva, the three district hospitals, Tamavua, the 14 rural hospitals and the 36 rural dispensaries totalled 330,806. Fijians were in a majority with a total of 200,624, but almost half this total was accounted for by the rural dis pensaries. European out-patients num bered 15,245, Indian 105,472 and Chinese and others 9,465.

Mormon Missionaries In

p. 76

W. Samoa

Missionaries of the American Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) are invading Western Samoa in strength. They now have a staff of 20 in the Territory, engaged mostly in church and school work. Two recent arrivals, in the above photograph, have caused interest because they are said to be the first Hawaiians to go abroad for the Mormon Church. They are Keawe (on the left) and Kalili Moku. Both are well-educated, and speak flawless English. —Photo by Superflash Studio.

Advertisements & other items, p. 76 (1 item)

Robert Kosak

YOUR FUTURE CAREER . . .

Merchants, Accountants, Secretaries, Bankers and Business Managers ... all hold responsible positions with commensurate salaries. You too can enhance your prospects in this ever-expanding commercial field, which yields abundant returns to those with adequate qualifications. H.R.I. prepare ambitious men and women for all business positions from junior to senior executive. Tuition is practical authoritative up-to-date time saving . . . and certain in its successful results. The H.R.I. is available always to advise you write or wire for information free and without obligation.

H.R.I. tutorial service is proved by the winning of more honours than all coaches in Australasia combined.

H.R.I. Career Training • ACCOUNTANCY • SECRETARYSHIP • COST ACCOUNTANCY

• PRACTICAL BOOKKEEPING • MARKETING SELLING

ADVERTISING • BANKING • LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXAMS.

II emingway Robertson Institute

Founded and Owned by Hemingway & Robertson Pty. Ltd.

Consulting Accountants :: :; Professional Tutors 12 6 12 6

BANK HOUSE.

BARRACK HOUSE.

BANK PLACE. MELBOURNE

16 BARRACK STREET. SYDNEY

126/815

IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD TOO/ i n§N p a c / p;.i. c y'/ £ A *>-<W X ✓ •• o-?V, ft

\£?Sh —% SESSi’

p' *** «u*£lltt& »Lj?2 s** bF^ > > ■ f AROI t*< t 3 I f iuw? syj**-***.) vein* ■sa *rr %Bfe IJ^ «K’

I , J*xm SS* rtterf*** S*e&*£ Throughout the Pacific, as with other parts of the world, ROBERT KOSAK, representing leading English, Continental and U.S.A. manufacturers, offers all the advantages of an old-established importexport service.

ISLAND PRODUCTS

SOLD ON ALL

WORLD MARKETS

ON A COMMISSION

BASIS

Inquiries invited

ROBERT KOSAK

Exporters and Manufacturers' Representatives,

77 KING STREET, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Cable Address: “ROKOSTRA," Sydney.

Bankers: National Bank of Australasia, Ltd., Sydney. •Rant nf fsipw South Wales, Sydney.

Liquor Law Equality

p. 77

Struggle

Fiji Government Abandons Its Thorny Bill

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 25.

THE Liquor Bill, one of the most bitterly contested pieces of proposed legisla tion in the History of Fiji, has been abandoned and withdrawn by the Govern ment.

Published in 1946, the Bill, which pro posed the removal of restrictions on the sale of liquor to, and consumption by, Indians, while retaining the rigid and very limited permit system for all but a few Fijians, immediately provoked a storm of opposition. .This opposition included all the Christian missions, as well as other power ful groups, who contended mainly that an “open slather” for all Indians, whether responsible or irresponsible, would open the door to a great exploitation of the still-prohibited Fijians by bootlegging in dividuals or organisations.

It was freely stated that in order to make a concession to the Indian demand for equality with Europeans the Govern ment appeared to be willing to “throw the Fijians to the wolves.”

Held up by petitions, the Bill did not reach the Legislative Council until 1947, when, of the 15 unofficial members, four Indians and one European supported it The remaining European and the Fijian members tore it to shreds. The one Indian critic of the measure opposed it on social and religious grounds but, like his com panions, simultaneously waved the flag of “equality”.

The Bill was referred to a Select Com mittee of seven members, whose report was not tabled until last August.

IN his opening address at the Budget session of the Council to-day, the Governor (Sir Brian Freeston) said:— “Only one member supported the Bill in the form in which it was presented. An alternative proposal was submitted by four of the seven members but was not acceptable to the other three. In these circumstances, the Government has de cided not to proceed with the Bill, which will accordingly be withdrawn ... No further action will be taken until some alternative system can be proposed vhich will receive substantial support from all parties concerned.”

In the public view the fate of the Bill was sealed when it became known that the Select Committee was as much at log gerheads as the Legislative Council had been.

The mystery of the Government’s per sistence in pushing the measure along in 1946-47, in the teeth of vehement, re sponsible and disinterested opposition, is not explained. The only achievement of the Bill is a three-year record of angry inter-racial strife.

Death Of H. B. Harricks

p. 77

THE death occurred at Lautoka, Fiji, on November 20, of Mr. H. B. Harricks who was for many years cconnected with the sugar industry of the Colony. He was born in Queensland and joined the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd. in 1899.

He spent 40 years at Labasa, where for 10 years he was a private planter, leasing one of the CSR Company’s estates. Later he re-joined the Company’s staff. He re tired about 10 years ago and has since been living at Korotoga, Nadroga.

Mr. Harricks is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

A very successful Village School Games Day was held on September 23-24 on the large school grounds of Malifa Govern ment School, Western Samoa, with 4,000 school children from five school districts of the island of Upolu, participating in marching, dancing, singing, handicrafts, sports and gymnastics competitions. The games and competitions, organised by the Director of Education, Mr. K. R.

Lambie, proved a great success and the Malifa grounds presented a colourful picture of merry crowds of school child ren, in their bright and picturesque school uniforms, and wreaths of flowers.

A daughter was born to the Rev. and Mrs. N. H. Mapperson, in Apia hospital, Western Samoa, in September.

Advertisements & other items, pp. 77-78 (1 item)

Simplex Marine Engines

/ff?

?aci)

% "00/ LEARN TO PLAY the Hawaiian Steel Guitar or Ukulele in the modern manner. Complete postal course available. Full details free ... no obligation. Send 4d. in stamps for full particulars to

SECRETARY,

PACIFIC SCHOOL OF MUSIC

P.O. Box 487, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

SIMPLEX MARINE ENGINES

SIMPLEX MARINE ENGINES.

The finest range of marine petrol engines for small craft.

Made in 3 HP, 5 HP, 10/12 HP, 15/20 HP. The 3 larger models with built-in reverse gear. Suitable for all craft to 25 ft. long.

SIMPLEX 5 H.P.

Illustrated are the popular Simplex 5 HP, singlecylinder, and the new model 20 HP, 4 cylinder.

The 20 HP is fitted with electric starter and generator and built-in reverse. Ask for specifications. r

SIMPLEX 20 H.P.

-J

KAYEN KEROSENE LAMPS

TALL TABLE

LAMP.

KAYEN KEROSENE LAMPS.

The most reliable and efficient of all kerosene pressure lamps. Burn for 10 hours on 1 i pints of kerosene. Fitted with doubly supported mantle, insect protected. All main fittings of brass with stainless steel cleaning wire and jet. Will not flicker in the strongest wind. Absolutely safe.

All Purpose Lamp, 89/-. Tall Table Lamp, 104/-.

Immediate delivery. Trade inquiries invited.

LANTERN.

W. Kopsen & Co. Pty. Ltd.

SHIPCHANDLERS & MARINE ENGINEERS

376-382 KENT STREET, SYDNEY. PHONE: MA 6336 (9 lines).

Cables: KOPSEN, Sydney

An ornate example of historical

keys, this XVlth Century

French key features the sporting motif in its club and animal ♦ carvings. It seems to have been the key to a Duke’s country

lodge.

A 4 * 1 £4 ~£r m* > s . ■ m A Th e

sure

a e to s

CAPSTAN

FINE CUT

NAVY CUT

TOBACCOS

or 1657./.48 ■

Sydney-NZ-Fiji-Hawaii-Nth. America

p. 79

Shipping And Plane Services

Ship Services

rE following sea and air services are running to schedules in the Pacific.

Not all of the regular services which were suspended, owing to war condi tions. have been restored; but preparations are under way for their early reintroduction. As they become available they will be announced here.

Sydney-NZ-Fiji-Hawaii-Nth. America

THE itinerary of the Canadian-Australaslan liner "Aorangi” (17,500 tons) Is Sydney, Auckland.

Suva (Fiji), Honolulu (Hawaii), Victoria (Vancouver Island), and Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada). Time-table lor the Pacific section of her run is:—

New Zealand —Fiji—

Samoa —Tonga

Monthly Service by MV “Matua”

Service Conducted By Union 8S Co.,

Ltd.—Subject To Alteration Without

Notice

New Caledonia

THE New Caledonian Government has sub sumed ana maintained lac oomux baip ping services. The East Coast, the West Coast, and the Loyalty Islands, under present condition*, receive 10 round trip* per annum.

The ships call at the following ports: EAST COAST.—Yate, Ounia, Thio, Nakety.

Canala, Kouaoua Kua, Moneo, Ponerthouen, Tibarama, Polndlmle, Wagap, Touho, Tlplndje, Hienghene, Tao, Oubatch, Pouebo, Balade, Pam, Arama, and return.

WEST COAST.— Pouembout, Kone, Temala, Voh, Ouaco Gomen, Koumac, Tangaiou. Tiebaghl, Nehoue, Poume, Baaba, Belep and return.

LOYALTY ISLANDS.—Mare (Tadine), Llfou (Chepenehe) Ouvea (Fajaoue, St. Joseph) and return.

The steamer “Neo Hebrldals” runs regularly between Noumea and Sydney, with occasional trips to the New Hebrides (mostly Aneltyum).

The owners are Societe Maritime et Manlere Hagen, Noumea. Sydney agents: H. C. Sleigh, 254 George Street, Sydney.

New Zealand—Cook

Is.—Niue—Samoa

THE motor vessel “Maui Pomare” owned and operated by the NZ Gov ernment, maintains a direct service between Auckland and Rarotonga (Cook Islands), with alternative calls at Niue and Apia (Samoa).

Sydney-Papua-

New Guinea

T>URNS, PHILP LINE motor-vessels "Bulolo” and “Malaita.” maintain regular services be tween Sydney and ports in Papua-New Guinea.

“Bulolo” leaves Sydney, northbound, approxi mately every six weeks; “Malaita” every seven weeks.

“Bulolo” calls at Brisbane. Port Moresby, Samarai, Lae, Dregarhafen, Rabaul, Samaral, Port Moresby. Brisbane. thence back to Sydney.

The “Malaita’s” schedule varies considerably.

She calls at Port Moresby only occasionally, but usually calls at Samaral, Lae, Madang, Manus, Rabaul, Samaral, thence direct to Syd ney—ports of call being In that order. Sometimes the order of calls is Samaral, Rabaul, Manus, Madang, Lae, Samarai. Intending passengers should check with Burns, Phllp & Co., Ltd., Sydney, or Island branches.

Sydney-Norfolk Island-

New Hebrides

The SS “Morinda,” Burns, Philp & Co., Ltd., runs at approximately three monthly intervals from Sydney to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and main ports of the New Hebrides, and re turn.

RMS “Aoranri”

Honolulu Oct. 27 Dec. 29 Mar. 2 May 4 July 6 Suva Nov. 5 Jan. 7. 1950 Mar. 11 May 13 July 15 Auckland Nov. 8-10 Jan. 10-12 Mar. 14-16 May 16-18 July 18-20 Sydney, arr. Nov. 14 Jan. 16 Mar. 20 May 22 July 24 Sydney, dep. Nov. 24 Jan. 26 Mar. 30 June 1 Aug. 3 Auckland Nov. 28-29 Jan. 30-31 Apr. 3-4 June 5-6 Aug. 7-8 Suva Dec. 2 Peb. 3 Apr. 7 June 9 Aug. 11 Honolulu Dec. 9 Feb. 10 Apr. 14 Tune 16 Aug. 18 Vancouver Dec. 16-22 Feb. 17-23 Apr. 21-27 June 23-29 Aug. 25-31 Subject to Alterations Without Notice.

Auckland Nov. 26 Dec. 29 Suva Nov. 29-30 Jan. 2-3 Nukualofa Dec. 2-3 Jan. 5-6 Vavau Dec. 5 Jan. 7 Pago Pago* Dec. 5 Apia* Dec. 6-8 Jan. 7-10 Suva Dec. 11-12 Jan. 13-14 Auckland Dec. 16 Jan. 18 * Western Time.

Air Services

pp. 79-84

Summary of Pacific Air

Services

PAPUA AND NEW GUlNEA.—Regular Qantaa service from Sydney.

SOLOMON ISLANDS.—Frequent regular flying boat service from Sydney by Trans Oceanic Airways. Qantas service also from Lae, NG, to Honiara, BSI.

NEW HEBRlDES.—Frequent regular flying-boat service from Sydney by Trans Oceanic Air ways. Service from Noumea by French plane

riihs twice weekly. Qantas plane from Sydney to NH on alternate Tuesdays.

NORFOLK ISLAND.—Regular service from NZ by NZ National Airways; from Sydney by Qantas; from Fiji by NZ National Airways.

LORD HOWE ISLAND—Regular weekly service from Sydney by Qantas and Trans Oceanic Airways.

FIJI. —Regular services from Australia by Pan American, BCPA and CPA (to Nadi); Auck land by NZ National Airways (to Nadi); from Australia by Qantas (to Laucaia Bay, Suva); from Auckland by NZ National Airways (to Laucaia Bay, Suva). Irregular calls from Australia to Laucaia Bay, Suva, by Trans Oceanic Airways. Regular service from Suva to Labasa by NZ National Airways.

Western Samoa, Cook Islands And

TONGA. —Regular service from Fiji by NZ National Airways.

TAHlTl.—Monthly service from Noumea by TRAPAS plane via Fiji, W. Samoa, Cook Is.

DU't'CS NEW GUlNEA.—Regular weekly service ii-om Batavia by KLM.

AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND.—ReguIar service by Tasman Empire Airways.

AUSTRALIA-NORTH AMERICA.—Regular Trans pacific services by Pan American Airways,

Bcpa And Cpa.

Europe - Indo-China -N. Caledonla.—Fort

nightly service by Air France.

NZ National Airways

South Pacific Services

r T'HE Pacific services run by the New Zealand 1. National Airways Corporation are as follows:

Auckland-Laucala Bay (Suva): A “Sun

derland” flying-boat leaves Mechanics Bay.

Auckland, at 11.30 p.m. each Monday for

Laucaia Say, Suva (arrives 8.16 a.m. the follow ing day).

The aircraft departs from Laucaia Bay, Suva, on the return journey at 7.30 a.m. each Wednes day, and arrives at Mechanics Bay, Auckland, at 4.15 a.m. the following day.

Laucala Bat (Suva)-Labasa (Vanda

LEVU): A “Sunderland” flying-boat operates this service on a charter basis. A return trip is made between Laucaia Bay and Labasa each Tuesday.

Auckland-Norfolk Island-Fiji-Tonga

Western Samoa-Cook Islands: A “Douglas”

airliner leaves Whenuapai, Auckland, on alternate Tuesdays at 9 a.m. (Dec. 13, 27, etc.) for Norfolk Island (arr. 12.55 p.m.; dep. 2 p.m.), Nadi (arr. 8.40 p.m., dep. 5.40 a.m.

Thursday), Nausori (arr. 6.25 a.m., dep. 7.30 a.m.), Tonga (arr. 10.50 a.m., dep. 11.50 a.m.), *Faleolo, Western Samoa (arr. 4.5 p.m. Wednes day, dep. 8 a.m. Thursday), Aitutaki, Cook Islands (arr. 1.50 p.m. Thursday, dep. 2.50 p.m.), Rarotonga, Cook Is. (arr. 4.5 p.m.).

The aircraft departs from Rarotonga on the return journey at 8 a.m. on alternate Saturdays (Dec. 3, 17, 31, etc.), at 8 a.m., for Aitutaki (arr. 9.15 a.m., dep. 10 a.m.), Faleolo, W.

Samoa (arr. 3.15 p.m., dep. 8 a.m. Sunday), ♦Tonga (arr. 10.55 a.m. Monday, dep. 11.50 a.m.), (arr. 4.25 p.m., dep. 5 a.m. Tuesday), Norfolk Nausori (arr. 2.40 p.m., dep. 3.40 p.m.), Nadi Is. (arr. 10.55 a.m., dep. 12 noon), Whenuapai, Auckland (arr. 4.50 p.m.). •Crosses International Date Line.

Auckland-Norfolk Island: A “Douglas”

airliner leaves Whenuapai, Auckland, every Sun day at 8.15 a.m. for Norfolk Island (arr. 12.15 p.m.), and departs on the return flight at 1.15 p.m., arriving at Whenuapai at 6 p.m.

FARES, single (in NZ currency): Auckland to Norfolk, £l2/10/-; to Fiji, £3l; to Tonga, £3l; to Samoa, £34; to Aitutaki, £39; to Raro tonga. £39/10/-. Norfolk to Fiji. £l9. Fiji to Tonga, £B/15/-; to Samoa, £l3; to Aitutaki, £29/15/-; to Rarotonga, £3l. Samoa to Raro tonga, £l7/15/-; to Aitutaki, £l6/10/-; Suva to Labasa, £4/10/-. Return fares, less 10 per cent.

BOOKING OFFICES: Wellington, Govt. Life Bldg., Customhouse Quay; Auckland, Airways

House, Customs St.; Dunedin, 8-10 Manse St.; Christchurch, 104 Gloucester St.; Gis borne, 74 Peel St.; Palmerston North, 107 Broadway Ave.; Hamilton, 8 Alma St.; Fenton St.; New Plymouth, Grand Central Building, Egmont St.; Hokitika, Southside Air port; Norfolk Is., Burns Philp, Ltd.; Fiji, NAC at Nadi and Suva; Burns Philp, Labasa and Lautoka; Tonga, Mrs. F. F. Melhose, Fou-amotu Airfield; W. Samoa, Burns Philp (SS), Ltd., Apia; Cook Is., Mrs. P. McVeagh, Aitutaki, and Mr. J. D. Campbell, Rarotonga.

Sydney—Queensland—

New Guinea

QANTAS Empire Airways, Ltd., employing DCS planes, operate a regular service between Sydney, Port Moresby, Lae, Finschhafen, Madang, Rabaul, Bulolo and Wau, and return via Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.

This service is now known as the “Bird of Paradise” Service. DCS aircraft, carrying 19 passengers, are useo.

Planes leave Sydney on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9 a.m., and arrive at Lae at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wed nesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The plane which leaves Sydney on Wednesday and arrives at Lae on Thursday then goes on to Rabaul. It returns on Friday. The plane, which arrives at Lae on Tuesdays, then goes on to Madang, returning to Lae the same day.

The plane, which arrives at Lae at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, flies on to Bulolo and Wau on Wednesday afternoons, and returns to Lae.

Planes leave Lae at 5.45 a.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mon days, and arrive in Sydney at 10.15 p.m., accom plishing the Lae-Sydney run in a day.

The return plane from Rabaul leaves at 1.30 p.m. on Fridays.

Bookings may be made at Qantas offices at any of the towns named. At present, berths are available only to passengers holding official per mits to visit Papua or New Guinea.

Qantas Subsidiary Services In

Papua-New Guinea-Solomons

Qantas Empire Airways run the following sub sidiary services in Papua, New Guinea, and British Solomons:— A Douglas DC3 leaves Lae, New Guinea, every Wednesday, and flies to Rabaul, and Kavieng, and returns to Lae; but every alternate Wed nesday the plane goes on from Kavieng to Manus, and returns via Kavieng to Rabaul (overnight) and returns to Lae on the Thursday morning.

Every Wednesday a plane flies from Lae to Madang and Wewak, and thence * direct to Rabaul. It returns from Rabaul to Lae on Thursrday.

Every alternate Monday, a Qantas Catalina flies from Port Moresby, westward to Daru, via Yule Island, Kerema, Kikori, Lake Kutubu and Lake Murray, remaining overnight at Kikori and returning to PM next morning.

Once weekly a plane leaves Port Moresby for Kokoda and Popendetta and returns following the Kokoda Trail for most of the way.

Every alternate Wednesday, a Qantas Cata lina flies from Port Moresby, eastward to Samarai, via Abau and Milne Bay; remains overnight at Samarai, and on the following day (Thursday) flies out over the archipelagoes, calls at Esa’ala, Kirlwlna, Woodlark and

Deboyne Lagoon, and return to PM, via Samaral, Milne Bay and Abau.

Every alternate Monday, a Qantas Catalina leaves Port Moresby for Rabaul, via Moewe Har bour, and Talasea (New Britain); next morning (Tuesday) it flies to Buka, Kieta and Buin (Bougainville) and returns to Rabaul; next morning (Wednesday) it flies to Talasea, Moewe Harbour and Jacquinot Bay, and returns to Rabaul; and next morning (Thursday) it re turns from Rabaul direct to Port Moresby.

Every alternate Monday a Qantas Douglas flies from Lae to Rabaul, and continues on to Honiara (British Solomon Islands), via Torokina; remains overnight at Honiara; and returns to Lae the following day (Tuesday), via Torokina and Rabaul.

Sydney-Noumea-Suvo

THE following is the time-table of the Qantas flying-boat:— Sydney dep. 9 p.m. alt. Tues.

Noumea arr. 7 a.m. alt. Wed.

Noumea dep. 8 a.m. alt. Wed.

Suva arr. 3 p.m. alt. Wed.

Suva dep. 6 a.m. alt. Frid.

Noumea arr. 11 a.m. alt. Prid.

Noumea dep. 12 noon alt. Frid.

Sydney arr. 8 p.m, alt. Frid.

Intending passengers may book through offices in Australia. Burns, Phllp (South Seas) Company, in Suva; and T, Johnston in Noumea.

Fares: To Noumea. £35 single; £63 return.

To Suva, £52/10/- single; £94/10/- return.

Noumea-Suva, £l7/10/- single; £3l/10/- re turn.

Sydney-Lord Howe ls.-

Norfolk Is.

QANTAS, Sydney, run a Catalina once weekly from Sydney to Lord Howe Island. Fare, single, £l2. Return, £2l/12/-.

Qantas run a DC4 Skymaster alt. Thursdays (returning same day) from Sydney to Norfolk Island. Pare, £22 single; £39/12/- return. (For Norfolk Island, see also under NZ National Airways. For Lord Howe, see also under TOA.)

Sydney-New Hebrides

A QANTAS plane leaves Sydney for New Hebrides on alternate Tuesdays. It flies via Noumea and Port Vila to Santo, and returns.

CPA Sydney-Vancouver

Service

CANADIAN Pacific Airlines, Ltd., run a trans- Paciflc service between Sydney and Van couver. For the present there will be one northbound and one southbound trip per fort night. Stops are made at Nadi (Fiji), Canton Island, Honolulu and San Francisco. The north bound flight commences from Sydney every alter nate Tuesday.

Four-engined, pressurised “Canadalr” aircraft are used; 36 passengers can be carried and a crew of six. Plying is done in daylight. Over night accommodation is provided at hotels In Nadi and Honolulu, which Is, of course, com plimentary.

Fares are (in Australian currency): Sydney- Vancouver, £289/6/- single, £520/15/- return; Fiji-Vancouver, £2lO/15/- single, £379/6/- re turn; Sydney-Fiji, £54/19/- single, £9B/17/return; Sydney-Honolulu, £238/8/-; Sydney- San Francisco, £285/15/-; Flji-Honolulu, £159/17/- single. £2BB/8/- return.

Bookings may be made at the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Limited, Sydney, or Melbourne; Union Steam Ship Co. of NZ, Ltd., Fiji; Canadian Pacific Airlines, Vancouver.

Sydney-Vancouver

BCPA Service

BRITISH Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, Ltd., operate a twice weekly trans-Paciflc service from Sydney to Vancouver, via Fiji, Canton Island, Honolulu and San Francisco; and a weekly service between Auckland and Vancouver, via the same ports.

Planes leave Sydney every Wednesday and Saturday, and Vancouver on the Southbound trip every Monday and Thursday. Every fourth trip from Sydney terminates at San Francisco instead of Vancouver, Planes Leave Auckland every Tuesday and arrive in Vancouver the following Wednesday, The Southbound trip to Auckland commences from Vancouver every alternate Friday. Every other Friday the service commences at San Francisco.

B.C.P.A. services make regular connections at both San Francisco and Vancouver for onward carriage, via either New York or Montreal to the United Kingdom or Europe. The through fare from Sydney to London Is £325 (Aust.).

Fares are (in Australian currency): Sydney- San Francisco, £285/15/- single and £514/6/return; Auckland-Vancouver, £266/11/- single; Auckland-Nadi (FIJI), £3B/17/-; Sydney-Nadl £54/19/-; Sydney-Vancouver, £289/6/- single’ £520/15/- return.

Douglas DC6 aircraft carrying 48 passengers (seated) or 37 passengers (in sleepers) and a crew of nine are used on the service.

Pan-American—

Trans-Pacific Service

DAN-AMERICAN World Airways clippers now A provide the following services in the South Pacific, using DC4 planes, equipped with Sleep erettes:— Planes leave Sydney Monday and Friday for San Francisco, via Tontouta (New Cale donia), Nadi (Fiji), Canton Island and Hono lulu, The return flights are made from San Francisco every Monday, Thursday, via Honolulu. Canton

Island, Nadi and Tontouta; and from Seattle every Monday, via Portland, Honolulu, Canton Island, Nadi and Tontouta.

Planes leave Auckland every Wednesday, and fly via Nadi, Canton Island and Honolulu to San Francisco. They leave San Francisco for Auckland every Saturday by the same route.

Fares, in Australian currency, are;—

(Time-tables and fares subject to alteration without notice.) To convert to Fiji currency, reduce above each kilogram of excess.

Free baggage allowance Is 30 kilos per person.

Excess baggage at 1 per cent, of single fare for figures by about 10 per cent.

Trans-Tasman Service

Sydney—Auckland

npASMAN Empire Airways, Ltd., operatr. a ■A flying-boat service between Rose Bay, Sydney, and Mechanics Bay, Auckland. Large flying-boats, capable of carrying 30 passengers, are employed. The trip is comfortable, and takes approximately 8 hours.

Flying-boats now depart Sydney and Auckland dally.

This service will be supplemented by Charter Services operated by DC4 and DC6 aircraft.

Fares: £35 (A) (£2B NZ currency) single; £63 (A) (£5O/8/- NZ currency) return.

Bookings may be made at Tasman Empire Airways in Auckland and at Qantas Empire Air ways. Carrington Street, Sydney.

New Caledonia-

New Hebrides

r pRAPAS (French Air Line) operates a service A between Noumea and the New Hebrides.

The plane leaves Noumea every Tuesday, and

£ s. d. £ s. d . Single. Return.

Sydney-Seattle .. .. £285 15 0 £514 6 0 Sydney-’Prlsco ... 285 15 0 514 6 0 Sydney-Plji 54 19 0 98 17 0 Sydney-Honolulu ... 238 8 0 429 0 0 Auckland-Seattle ... 262 19 0 473 14 o Auckland-Honolulu .. 215 13 0 387 19 0 Auckland-Piji 38 17 0 69 Iff o Auckland-San. Fran. . 22 19 0 473 14 o

flies direct to Vila and Santo, and returns. Re turn fare for the journey, Noumea-Santo, is approximately £42 Australian.

N. Coledonio-Tahiti

TRAPAS (Societe Francais de Transports Aeriens du Pacific Sud-Noumea) runs a monthly service from New Caledonia to Tahiti.

Departing at 8 a.m. from Noumea, every third Thursday, the plane flies via Fiji (Nadi), Western Samoa (Faleolo), Cook Islands (Aitu taki) to Papeete, where it arrives at about 11.40 a.m. two days later. One evening is spent in Nadi and one night in Aitutaki. The plane re turns by the same route in the following week.

Fare from Noumea to Papeete is 16,000 Pacific francs single, and 28,800 return. (160 Pacific francs equal £1 Australian.) While the plane is at Papeete it runs one round trip between Papeete and Bora Bora.

KLM Dutch New Guinea

Service

K.L.M. Royal Dutch Airlines run a regular weekly service from Batavia to Dutch New Guinea, via Sourabaya, Makassar and Ambon, on the following schedule; Batavia dep. Sundays at 10,30 a.m., Biak Island arr. Mondays at 4.40 p.m.; dep. Tuesdays at 6 a.m., Hollandia

arr. Tuesdays at B.ID a.m. On the return journey the aircraft leaves Hollandia at 9 a.m. bn Tuesdays: Biak Island arr. 11.10 a.m.. dep. 12.15 p.m. on Tuesdays; and Batavia arr. 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The aircraft used are C. 475, a type of DC-3, and the single fares are Batavia-Biak Island £A80; Batavia-Hollandia £A9I/15/-; and Biak Island-Hollandia £AII/15/-. Return fares, double single.

TOA Services

TRANS Oceanic Airways run the following Pacific services:— SYDNEY-LORD HOWE IS.: A regular fort nightly service with large four-engine flying boats from Rose Bay. Pare: £ll single; £2l return. Free baggage allowance 50 lb. Excess baggage and freight rate Bd. p£r lb.

SYDNEY-NEW HEBRIDES: A regular monthly service with large four-engine flying-boats from Sydney, via Noumea (overnight stop), to Vila and Espiritu Santo. Fare: Sydney-Vlla, £45; Sydney-Santo, £5O; Noumea-Vila, £l2/10/-, Noumea-Santo, £lB/15/-. Freight: Sydney-Vila, 2/- per lb.; Sydney-Santo, 2/3.

Sydney-Solomon Islands: A Regular

monthly service from Sydney, via New Cale donia and New Hebrides to Tulagi, Solomon Islands. This service is frequently extended to Lingatou, in the Russell Islands, and calls are sometimes made at Vanikoro, in the Santa Cruz Group. Fares: Sydney-Tulagi, £65. Free bag gage allowance, 60 lb.; excess baggage and freight, 3/- per lb,

France-Indo-China-

N. Caledonia

THE French national airways, Air France, runs a fortnightly service between Paris and New Caledonia, and return. Stops are made at Tunis. Cairo, Basra (forward journey) or Darhein (return journey), Karachi, Calcutta, Saigon, Batavia, Darwin, Brisbane.

DC4 Skymasters are used in the service.

Fare between Brisbane and Tontouta (New Caledonia) has been fixed at £A29/8/- (one way), and £AS2/18/- (return ticket).

Advertisements & other items, pp. 79-84 (1 item)

W. H. Grove & Sons

Rid Kidneys Of

Poisons And Adds

If you suffer sharp, stabbing pains, if Joint* are swollen, it shows your blood Is poisoned through faulty kidney action. Other symptoms of Kidney Disorders are Backache, Aching Joints and Limbs, Sciatica, Neuritis, Lumbago, Sleepless Nights, Dizziness, Nervousness, Circles under Eyes, Loss of Energy and Appetite and Frequent Headaches and Colds, etc. Ordinary medicines can’t help much because you must get to the root cause of the trouble.

The Cystex treatment is specially compounded to soothe, tone and clean kidneys and bladder and remove acids and poisons from your system safely, quickly and surely, yet contains no harmful or dangerous drugs. Cystex works in 3 ways to end your troubles. 1. Starts killing the germs which are attacking your Kidneys, Bladder and Urinary System in two hours, yet is absolutely harmless to human tissue. 2. Gets rid of health-destroying, deadly poisonous acids with which your system has become saturated. 3. Strengthens and reinvigorates the kidneys, protects from the ravages of disease-attack on the delicate filter organism, and stimulates the entire system.

Praised by One-time Sufferers Cystex is approved by one-time sufferers in 73 countries from the troubles shown above.

Mr. Reg Thomas, Townsville, Queensland, recently wrote: “My Joints were all stiff, I had leg pains, my back nsed to ache day and night.

My bladder was weak. 1 had headaches and no appetite. The first dose of Cystex helped me and before I finished three boxes my health and strength came back/* Guaranteed to Satisfy or Money Back Get Cystex from your chemist or store to-day.

Give it a thorough test. Cystex is guaranteed to make you feel younger, stronger, better li every way, or your money back if you return the empty package.

Now in 2 sizes—4/-, t/-.

GUARANTEED

Treatment for Your Kidneys, Bladder, Rheumatism.

W. H. GROVE & SONS

Limited

Established 1896.

AUCKLAN D

Island Traders. PO - BOX 49 °* Telegraphic and Cable Address: “Grove”, Auckland.

Entrust Your Orders to the Firm with Fifty Years Practical Experience in the Island Trade.

Shippers of all classes of New Zealand products.

Representing English Manufacturers throughout the Cook and Society Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Niue, New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

In FIJI as—W. H. Grove Cr Sons (Fiji) Ltd.

LONDON-SUVA

ECT

\Y V|A

PANAMA

For Sailings and Further Particulars Apply To: —

BETHELL, GWYN & CO.,

138 LEADENHALL ST.,

LONDON, E.C.3.

BURNS PHILP (SOUTH SEA)

CO., LTD.,

SUVA.

MARINE ENGINES

HALVORSEN’S HAVE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY :

“UNDERWOOD” 3 H.P. —2 Cycle—with built in Clutch —Petrol MORRIS “VEDETTE” 4 Cylinder 6/12 H.P. Petrol or Kerosene MORRIS “NAVIGATOR” 4 Cylinder 12/24 H.P. Petrol or Kerosene MORRIS “COMMODORE” 6 Cylinder 20/40 H.P. Petrol or Kerosene CHRYSLER “CROWN” 6 Cylinder 45/102 H.P. Petrol CHRYSLER “ROYAL” 8 Cylinder 55/132 H.P. Petrol Available soon : “LEYLAND” DIESEL MARINE 6 Cylinder 85 H.P.

Further particulars from the distributors :

LARS HALVORSEN SONS PTY. LTD.

WATERVIEW ST., RYDE ( Sydney )’ NeSeWe Telegrams; Halvorsens, Sydney. Phone. Hyde

• FREE EXPERT PROPELLER ADVICE

If You

Cannot Sleep

FEEL FIT FOR NOTHING.

You may be anaemic or bloodless, for this ailment plays havoc with your health and nervous energy. You feel terribly nervy; suffer headaches and dizzy spells, have poor appetite, cannot sleep at night —losing those precious hours of rest and recovery, essential for your health and fitness.

Many people have recovered from these miseries by taking Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills, which have relnvigorated, strengthened their systems and banished the vague pains and weariness. Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills always help to enrich and increase the blood supply, giving beneficial help to the nerves, tissues and organs of the body. With enriched blood you cannot help feeling happier, sleeping better, becoming relnvigorated.

Stop anaemia making you a suffering Invalid without delay. Take Dr. Williams’

Pink Pills and soon notice the difference in your eyes, skin, nerves and general health. At all chemists and stores.

Box 3838 GPO, Cable Address, “Care” Sydney.

Sydney. Australia

ISLAND MERCHANTS

4 YORK ST., SYDNEY

All kinds Island Produce sold on commission. All merchandise purchased at best wholesale price and original invoices supplied.

Use our 50 years’ experience as Island Merchants.

KWONG CHONG BROTHERS

General Merchants and Planters

Hove now re-established their business on their original pre-war site, and are carrying stocks of Trading and Plantation requirements. All enquiries welcomed and service assured.

Sydney Representatives:

NELSON & ROBERTSON PTY., LTD,

Electra House, 12 Spring Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

KWONG CHONG BROTHERS

KEMARERE STREET, RABAUL

'Hi

UNION MANUFACTURING

& EXPORT CO. LTD.

G.P.O. Box 1060, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND

Cobles: "UMEC", Wellington

We con arrange prompt shipment to residents

of the following Island Territories:

NEW CALEDONIA, NEW HEBRIDES, GILBERT ISLANDS,

ELLICE ISLANDS, BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS and

NEW GUINEA

We are also interested in buying Islands Produce of

every description, especially COCO-BEANS, COFFEE

BEANS and VANILLA BEANS, and can provide

shipping.

A JE

AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT

SAWN TIMBER.

PLYWOODS.

WAIjLBOARDS.

PAINTS.

VARNISHES.

BUILDING PAPER.

ASBESTOS

SIDINGS.

FURNITURE.

ASSEMBLED &

UNASSEMBLED.

MATTRESSES.

CANDLES.

WASHING SOAP.

TOILET SOAP.

COSMETICS.

TENNIS SHOES.

LEATHER SOLES

AND HEELS.

LEATHER BELTING.

LEATHER BENDS?

ETC.

LEATHER BOOTS

AND SHOES.

SEEDS (INCLUDING

BLUE & MAPLE

PEAS).

LIVESTOCK.

FROZEN MEATS.

TINNED MEATS.

TINNED FISH.

FROZEN FISH.

BUTTER.

CHEESE.

CUSTARD POWDER.

BAKING POWDER.

COFFEE ESSENCE.

POTATOES.

DRIED MILK, ETC.

TINNED

VEGETABLES.

TINNED SOUPS.

ONIONS.

CORDIALS.

BEER.

RADIOS.

BUYING OR SELLING —WE CAN HELP YOU ri

Above: 90 HP RNR6 type with 2/1 or 3/1 reduction, and patent single lever control. ★ Stern gear made to order After sales service and spares facilities always available

THORNYCROFT (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.

6-10 WATTLE ST., PYRMONT, N.S.W.

A DIRECT BRANCH OF THE MANUFACTURERS.

MARINE ENGINES

PETROL OR DIESEL

9 to 130 HP Reliable—efficient and economical for all types of vessels

FULL PARTICULARS ON REQUEST.

5 m 65 HP RTR6 type, 2/1 reduction.

U.S.L.

BATTERIES

FOR

MOTOR CAR AND TRUCK

SOLE DISTRIBUTORS for NEW GUINEA , PAPUA

AND PACIFIC ISLANDS.

VENTURA TRADING COMPANY PTY. LTD.

26 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY

Cables; “VENTURA,” Sydney.

m n sa iM 6$ "r By Appointment Gin Distillers to H.M. King George VI Tanqueray, Gordon & Co. Lid.

Gordon's

Stcrttds Suftetf iA

Popua-NG Local

Services

MANDATED Airlines, Ltd., of Lae, New Guinea, and other private operators, run air ser vices between Lae and the New Guinea mainland centres of Wau, Bulolo, Madang, Wewak, Altape, Mt. Hagen, Flnschhafen, Moresby. Kokoda—in fact anywhere in Papua or New Guinea where there is an air-strip. These planes carry pas sengers, mails and cargo on regular schedules or charter flights.

Prominent Suva Chinese

Merchant Dies

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Nov. 27.

MR. K. W. MARCH, a prominent Chinese businessman of Suva died at the Colonial War Memorial Hos pital on November 23.

He was proprietor of the prosperous Toorak Bakery, and also president of the Fiji branch of the Kuomintang.

A staunch British-Chinese patriot, he subscribed to and worked for many Empire and Chinese causes during the Second World War and for many years was a liberal supporter of Chinese and other educational and charitable projects in Fiji.

In 1946 he visited China and was honoured by the Chiang Kai-Shek Gov ernment. He is survived by a large family, members of whom live at Suva, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Sister Joy Walker arrived in Brisbane recently on a six months’ furlough after having completed three years’ missionary work at Gaulim Station, in the Bainings mountain area of New Britain. For the last six months she was the only white woman on the station. Sister Walker was one of the first women to go back to New Guinea after the end of the war. On

her return to the station next year she hopes to find a new hospital built to re place the nine huts which have been doing duty up to the present.

New Set-Up For

W. Samoa

Public Service

ONE of the last acts of the New Zealand Labour Government in its last ses sion was to provide for the setting up of a public service in Western Samoa under the Samoa Amendment Bill.

The Bill was introduced bv Mr. Fraser in his capacity as Minister for Island Ter ritories. It provides for control of the public service by a commissioner who, in matters affecting the policy of the NZ Government, as the administering authority under the trusteeship agree ment, will be subject to Ministerial direc tion. There will be two assistant-public service commissioners, one of whom will be the Secretary of Island Territories and the other the nominee of the Council of State. Their term of appointment is three years.

Salaries and wages for employees of the public service are not to exceed £1,060 a year. With the approval of the Minister anyone permanently employed in the New Zealand Government Service may be ap pointed to any position in the Western Samoan public service, and both offices may be held concurrently.

An officer, to be called the Secretary to the Government, will, under the con trol of the High Comrrjissioner, be the principal administrative officer.

Mr. Fraser said the Bill had the ap proval of the Samoan Legislative Assembly and of the New Zealand Public Service Association so far as its members were affected. It had the support of the people of Samoa and the High Commissioner.

Six Yards of Rain!