Notes From The
p. 44 · Read in the full issue
Solomons.
From Our Own Correspondent
Tulagi, June 7.
IHAVE at hand the balance-sheet of one local copra-producing company, which turned out over 240 tons last year, yet showed a loss of over £5OO.
Other producers, I am told, mostly in the Gizo district, have suspended operations. There is a growing feeling—whether well-founded or not—that, in view of their published balance sheets, the exporting firms, as a matter of policy, might, while copra is so low in value, reduce the margin between local and London price, in order to assist the producer to keep the wheels of industry turning.
Visit Of Mr. Fulton.
Gavutu, the Solomon headquarters of Levers Pacific Plantations, has been indulging in a new suit of clothes, so to speak, per medium of a lick of paint here and a dab of white wash there, in honour of the visit of Mr.
George Fulton (the Managing Director), who is accompanied by Mrs. Fulton. They came by the “Vacdhui” to Samarai and were met by the company’s vessel “Kurimarau,” in which they
will tour the Company’s holdings in the Solo mons, and, later, will return to Rabaul to meet the steamer for Sydney.
Gavutu, by the way, is somewhat noted for its mosquitoes and fish-ponds, to say nothing of being the most elaborately equipped centre in the Solomons.
Enterprising Planter.
Tulagi at last basks in the sunshine of a very much needed dairy, poultry and vegetable farm of its very own, where the needy vitamines are now dispensed at a modest figure. “Be British” was certainly the slogan of its stout-hearted in stigator, Robert Siim, who, when copra prices fell and he and his small family were faced with ruin, gave his coconuts a holiday, shifted his cows, etc., into Tulagi and. dug himself in.
After a great deal of hard work, he now feels confident of success.
Personal Items.
So far, nothing definite has been announced as to when our Resident Commissioner (Mr.
Ashley, will leave on his well-earned furlough.
We are sorry to lose two very popular citizens by this “Mataram” in Mr. Bert Tims, account ant for Messrs. Burns, Philp, at Makambo, who goes a step up the ladder to the managership for this firm at Norfolk Island; and Mr. Rob inson (Robbie), manager for the S.I.D. Co. at Eerande who, I understand, goes to an inspec torship in New Guinea.