Australian-Samoans Cele

Brate Bridge Opening.

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, March 31.

TO celebrate the opening of the Sydney Har bour Bridge, Australians in Samoa met at dinner at the Apia Casino on March 18.

Mr. A. G. Smyth, the pouular manager of Morris, Hedstrom Ltd., occupied the chair, with Mrs.

Smyth at his side, who had first suggested the meeting and helped to organise the function.

The rooms of the Casino and the table were appropriately decorated with the Commonwealth crest and the coat-of-arms of the Australian States. A special feature was a model of the Sydney bridge, worked by Mr. C. E. Hall, built to scale and showing in proportion the gigantic size of the master-work of engineering art.

During the dinner, broadcast messages of the happenings in Sydney were received. In several speeches the history and importance of the bridge were pointed out. Toasts were also pro posed of “The Prime Minister,” and “The Chairman, Mr. Smyth.”

A musical programme was much enjoyed by those present.

At the close of the festivities, the Rev. Mr.

Shinkfield suggested that a committee be set up to promote in future functions on Australia Day and other occasions.

A radio message was despatched by Mr. A. G.

Smyth to Mr. Lyons (Australian Prime Min ister): Forty Australians in Samoa, celebrat ing opening of Sydney Bridge, extend hearty congratulations and express hope for speedy re turn of prosperity throughout the Common wealth.”

To which a reply was received: “Your mes sage of seventeenth very much appreciated.”

Mr. Robert Ayland, well-known as a plantation overseer in New Guinea, died recently in the Territory. His in troduction to New Guinea was unusual —he sailed there in an open boat from Brisbane.