Notes From New Guinea

From Our Own Correspondent

RABAUL, March 24.

IT is gratifying to learn that the Adminis A tration, for some months past, has been taking steps to combat the serious menace of assaults by natives against white women and children. Natives who have been previ ously convicted of charges of this nature have been deported to their villages for periods of three to ten years, and in certain instances for life. The District Officers of the localities have been advised of the return of these natives, with copies of their records. Such natives are not permitted to sign on again for work with Europeans.

As a result, many natives in employment in private houses have been removed. Yet it is amazing that, although full reasons were given, the removal of these natives was strenuously opposed by some employers. It is to be hoped that the Administration keeps on with the work which will have a salutary effect on natives and at the same time con siderably ease the minds of the European

population here.

Germans Buying Copra

The agents of the Nord-Deutscher Line have offered to ship copra to Hamburg by their vessel, Bremerhaven (which calls here every six weeks from Hong Kong) and to pay owners the gross proceeds, less 3½ per cent, commission (which covers all charges in Europe) and £3/5/- freight. Hamburg, prices appear to be slightly more favourable than London, As an instance, £15/10/- gross was realised recently at Hamburg, which, less the above charges and export duty, plus exchange at £30 per cent., realised a nett amount of £14/5/- for the shipper; at the same date the local Rabaul price was £10/7/6.

The disadvantage is that shippers do not get the proceeds of their produce until it is actually sold, so that many are unable to take advantage of the offer at the present time.

Reference is made elsewhere in this issue to the Bremerhaven’s activities.

A Popular Banker

Mr Arthur Hamilton, manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Rabaul, left on the Montoro for a well-earned holiday of about four months. Mr. Hamilton has seen the branch of his Bank grow from a staff of three to one of eight, in a comparatively short time, and has opened branches at Salamoa and Kavieng, both of which are proving of great public convenience. As a banker and an individual, Mr. Hamilton is held in the highest regard by all with whom he comes in contact, and it is gratifying to learn that his head office have arranged for his return for a further term. This is an unusual course, as members of the staff do not return after completion of their term, and can be taken as an indication of the able manner in which Mr. Hamilton handles the difficult cond tions that rule here. Mr.

Hamilton is being relieved by Mr, Celf, of Head Office, Sydney.

Opening Of The W.R.C. Club

On the night of February 23, Mr. J. A.

Carpenter officially opened the new W.R.C.

Club, at Rabaul. The proceedings took the form of an inaugural Ball, attended by over 200.

A well known and somewhat historic build ing, formerly Whiteman’s Store, has been beautifully fitted out by W. R. Carpenter & Co. and given to their staff as a club room.

Mr. B. B. Perriman. manager of the firm in this Territory, proposed the health of the

patron and founder of the Club, Mr. J. A. Car penter, who responded with a fine speech on “Loyalty.”

Other speakers were: His Honor Judge Wanliss (Acting-Administrator), Mr. Jos.

Holmes (Store Manager) and His Honor Judge Phillips.

New Works, Buildings, Etc.

Owing to the financial stringency the Ad ministration is not carrying out any new works, other than essentials, for which finan cial provision had already been made.

Between Toma and the Bainings the Admin istration is establishing a Native Maternity Welfare Centre consisting of the hospital block, offices and residential quarters for the medical staff. One of the Sisters has been for some months at the Methodist Mission head quarters on the North Coast, learning the Toma and Baining Native Dialect.

At the Native Hospital and Compound, at Rapindik, near Rabaul, the Public Works De partment is building a mental ward and compound for natives.

Rabaul Club

Since it was founded the Rabaul Club has occupied quarters which, in military times, were the officers’ mess. As these premises have now been found unsuitable as the club rooms it was decided by the club to purchase a site of freehold land at the back of the township, adjoining the recreation reserve.

The president (Judge Wanliss) and committee have decided to admit the ladies of Rabaul as associate members, and so make the club the social centre of Rabaul.

The present estimate of the new club build ings is between £3,500 and £4,000. The architect is Mr. V. Garton, and the contrac ors the Bay Loo Company Ltd.

Schooner Matupi

The Matupi was missing for some weeks and great anxiety was felt for the safety of the crew. After an adventurous voyage, in which it drifted many hundreds of miles from the Tasmans to the Dutch New Guinea coast, with a broken down engine, broken steering gear, and sails blown to ribbons, advice has been received from Aitape that the Matupi is on her way to Rabaul, under sail.

Personal Notes

Recent arrivals from Australia have been Mr. A. N. McLellan, of the legal firm of McLellan & Clark; Mr. J. A. Carpenter, man aging director of Messrs. W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., who is on a brief visit of inspection; Mr. Bernard Baker, formerly with the firm of Allen, Allen and Hemsley, Sydney, to join the staff of Brown and Flannery; and Mr. Pat Holmes, Acting-Secretary for Lands.

A hearty send-off was accorded Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Greenwood on their departure for Australia. Mr. Greenwood was, until last year, manager for Burns, Philp and Co.

Ltd., at Rabaul —a position that he relin quished to become Inspector for the Terri tory. A large number of farewell parties were arranged in their honour. Mr. Green wood had had an exceedingly difficult task during the past months of depression, but that he handled it with great tact is obvious by the esteem in which he was held by both the staff and clients of his firm. He will be greatly missed here and many express the hope that he will return to the Territory.

Copra Exports

1930 1931 Tons.

Tons.

January .. .. 7.937 5,882 February .. .. 2,263 4,908