Returns from Profitable Tour.

N.G. Director of Agriculture Returns from Profitable Tour.

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, May 21.

THE Director of Agriculture (Mr. G.

Murray) recently returned to the Territory, after an absence of 12 months on long and accumulated leave.

Practically the whole of his furlough was spent as a sort of “busman’s holi day,” and, as a result, the Administra tion, the Territory generally and the planter should benefit greatly from his experiences and the valuable knowledge which he gained.

Being a great believer in the “per sonal touch,” Mr. Murray, during this and previous periods of furlough, spent in a similar manner, has now person ally visited every Department of Agri culture in the tropical world, with the exception of those of East and West Africa.

Too much credit cannot be given in these times to an officer like Mr. Mur ray, who, at very considerable personal expense, has the interests of his de partment, and those of the Territory so much at heart, as to undertake the trip which he did.

Mr. Murray speaks in most glowing terms of the treatment received, and the courtesies extended to him by every Department of Agriculture visited; during his stay in their Ter ritories, an officer was invariably de tailed to show him everything he de sired to see, to take him over their ex perimental and research stations, and also to make the acquaintance of planters and inspect their properties.

During his travels, Mr. Murray con ducted special investigations regarding the coffee, cocoa, copra, and coir fibre industries, of which he has told me much that will be of great value to planters in the Pacific Islands. A resume will be published in “The Pacific Is lands Monthly.”