N. Guinea News

Earth Tremors Continue — Landslides at Aitape

From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, August 9.

IN and about Rabaul we have had a continuance of the series of earth tremors and on July 23 it was re ported from Manus district that heavy sea disturbances had occurred, accom panied by great clouds of steam.

A new reef appeared about 2 miles long, off Baluan, which is an island about 25 miles south-east of Manus.

A severe earthquake occurred at Ai tape on August 7 and lasted about 40 seconds. Minor shocks continued un til the morning of August 8. The foun dations of 12 bungalows and six tanks were damaged by landslides but no casualites were reported.

The Planters and Traders’ Associ ation held their annual conference in Rabaul from July 13 to 20. Represen tatives from Kieta and Kavieng at tended.

Copra Exports Increase

The following is a comparative state ment of copra exports from the Terri tory:

The figures are rather surprising, in view of the fact that at the low prices offering to natives for green copra and nuts, they would not sell, with a result ing heavy fall off in the receipts of trade copra from natives.

The increase: is accounted for by

plantation copra, new places coming

into bearing and the natural increase in production from the older places.

New Motor Vessel

Last month the M.V. Drina, which was formerly a river steamer in Tas

mania, arrived, and is now carrying

copra and general cargo in the Terri

tory.

The Drina, which has been practic ally rebuilt and refitted, has had Fair banks Morse full Diesel engines in

stalled.

Personal

Mrs. Wisdom, the wife of His Honour, the Administrator, is still progressing slowly but favourably, at Namanula Hospital.

Mrs. W. Griffiths, a resident of some years’ standing, left the Territory a couple of weeks ago, by the St. Albans, to live in Sydney.

Mr. Griffiths, who is Acting-Manager of the Melanesia Company, will later rejoin Mrs.

Griffiths in Sydney, when he can finalise his business interests in the Territory.

Dr. N. B. Watch, our popular and until recently the only private medico in Rabaul, left by the St. Albans, for Australia, on a well-earned holiday.

During the absence of Dr. Watch, Dr.

Spence, who has resigned from the service of the Administration; will attend to the prac tice of Dr. Watch, and we understand, upon the return of the latter, they will enter into partnership.

By the Marsina, recently, Mr. Colin Bell arrived to take charge of the Shell Com pany’s interests in this Territory. Mr. Steel, who has been in charge for some years, will return to Australia, per Macdhui, to take over other duties for the Company.

Mr. E. Featherstone Phibbs, the Chief Col lector of Customs, together with Mrs. Phibbs, returned from leave in Australia, by the Tanda. At Townsville Mr. Phibbs met with an accident on the ship’s gangway, and broke his ankle.

Mr. V. A. Garton, who just completed his term of service with the Administration, as architect to the Public Works Department, left for the East, by the Tanda.

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, together with their son, also left for the East by the Tanda, on holi day leave.

Mr. D. Waugh, District Officer at Kavieng, together with Mrs. Waugh, returned from Australia, from leave.

Mr. “Pat” Savage, Director of Stores and Supplies for the Administration, together with Mrs. Savage, returned from leave in Aus tralia, by the Macdhui, A lady who is very popular on the gold fields, Mrs. Doris Booth, of “Cliffside,” Bu lolo, also returned by the Macdhui, after a couple of months’ absence in Australia.

On June 22, the S.Y. Southern Cross ar rived, bringing Bishop Molynieux, the Bishop of Melanesia, with his staff, on a visit of inspection of the Anglican activities in this Territory.

The newly appointed Bishop Wade, of the Roman Catholic Church, is at present at Vunapope, on a visit of inspection and busi ness connected with the Roman Catholic Mission.

The popular manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Rabaul, Mr. Arme Hamilton, has returned and resumed duty, after an absence of nearly four months. Mr. Hamilton arrived per S.S. Nellore, looking very fit and well.

Mr, Self, of the Sydney office of the Bank of New South Wales, who came up to relieve Mr. Hamilton, returned to Sydney per M.V.

Thermopylae.

Mrs. Maclean, the wife of the shipping manager for Messrs. W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., Rabaul, has returned per M.V. Ther mopylae, after a holiday of some months in Australia.

Mrs. Pickering, the wife of the manager of the Vacuum Oil Company in this territory, also returned per M.V. Thermopylae, after six months’ absence in Australia. During Mrs.

Pickering’s sojourn in Australia she experi enced a good deal of illness, but now looks well and fit.

Miss Joy Pickering, who has been at school for some years, at the Rose Bay Convent, returned to Rabaul with her mother.

Dr. Illingworth has resigned from the Ad ministration and, with Mrs. Illingworth, re

turned to Australia, per M.V. Thermopylae.

Their movements are but the doc tor, with his lady, may return to the Terri tory and commence in private practice.

Mrs. E. Moore and two children, of Mioko Plantation, Duke of York Islands, returned to Rabaul per S.S. Nellore, after an absence of six months in Australia.

Mr. E. Roberts, of Rabaul. and Mr. E, Rondahl, of Kabakaul, both returned per S.S.

Nellore, from Australia.

Social

On July 24, Mr. F. L. Flannery gave a delightful party and dance at his home at Valaur, near Rabaul. This home, which is right on the sea shore, on the Kokopo road, was beautifully decorated with palms, etc.

About 100 guests were invited and dancing was carried on to the music supplied by the Rabaul Orchestra. A very enjoyable time was spent by the guests. Mrs. Wanliss, the wife of His Honour, the Chief Judge, acted as hostess for Mr. Flannery,

1930 1931 Tons Tons January .. 7,937 5,882 February . . . . 2,263 4,908 March . . 2,263 5.528 April. . . . 5,476 2,871 May ... . . 6 702 2,250 June . . 3,906 7,961 r * 28 547 29,400