Gizo’S “Gangsters.”

How They Raided B.P.

Liquor Store.

BETWEEN Gizo, one of the main ports in the British Solomons, and the nearest kirk lie many miles of tur bulent ocean; so that if there is any thing in the old tag about “the nearer the kirk the farther from grace,” Gizo ites might be accounted fortunate. How ever the township runs to two "pubs," which may have something to do with upsetting the theories of wiseacres ac complished in the art of inventing slo gans to adorn an argument; for of late Gizo has displayed evidence of being very graceless indeed.

When the usual mob of plodding planters and tired traders arrived in port recently in the course of their six weekly pilgrimage to meet the R.M.S.

“Mataram,” and obtain that long awaited and much-needed “cold one customarily imbibed to the accompani ment of the latest news from Sydney town, their next move was to hie them to the post-office to collect mail and learn the worst.

The sight that met the gaze of visi tors from distant beaches as they en tered the official sanctum occasioned a momentary guilty feeling that, gauged by prosaic Euclidean standards, the term “cold one” might express a trifling mathematical inexactitude; but clear re collection of the latest copra quotation and intimate acquaintances with eco nomic restrictions quickly dispelled that Closer inspection revealed that the neatly-stacked piles decorating the of fice were really composed of cases ot whisky, beer and gin, surrounded and surmounted by innumerable unopened bottles bearing the labels of well-known purveyors of spirituous comforts. It was indeed a monument worthy of Bacchus, and one such as had not been seen within the memory of the oldest inhab itant —at least not since “depression as cended the throne.

Curiously mingled were the thoughts that passed through the minds of the astonished onlookers. Had the much maligned Government acquired a modi cum of public spirit at last and decided to provide the public with the spirit at cut rates to the confusion of “profiteer ing publicans”? Was this a tangible in dication of commendable business en terprise briliantly conceived, perhaps at at Ottawa Conference? Direct sales to the public, and perhaps the bonus sys tem! Great idea: “A glass of beer given away with a bob’s worth of stamps. ‘Pay your dog license and sample our Treasury blend!!” or, “Pass your entries before lunch and secure an appetiser! ! !"

Truly an inspiration of genius Boost the revenue and bust the pubs!

But, alas! memory of the ways of gov ernments supervened. In that direction one need not look for business genius or generous impulses. There was a catch in it, somewhere. Now, become cynic ally pessimistic, the visitors visualised wholesale confiscation. Prohibition had struck the Solomons! and Christmas close at hand, too! Truly, as some high brow had feelingly declared: “Life was just one damn thing after another"; what with copra. . . . !

The arrival of the D.O. broke the spell and stifled further speculation. In an swer to a chorus of inquiries, he eluci dated the mystery, which savoured more of the traditions pf a city underworld

than of those of the romantic South Seas.

It appeared that native labourers em ployed by Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. had gained access to the firm’s bulk store by the simple expedient of remov ing a sheet of corrugated iron. They then helped themselves to whatever took their fancy—cases of whisky, beer, gin and tobacco. The sheet of iron was carefully replaced, and the loot removed to the solitude of the bush, and hidden away for future consumption.

There is reason to believe that thefts from the store had been taking place over a long period; one “boy,” when charged in Court, admitted to having purloined a case of tobacco some months previously, but only of late (evidently emboldened by earlier successes) had goods been removed in wholesale quan tities.

Drunken orgies appear to have taken place in the bush at various times, usu ally at week-ends, and these were con ducted with surprising secrecy. Recent investigations followed the discovery of several “boys” lying in alcoholic slumber when they ought to have been at work.

Placed under arrest, they eventually im plicated other members of the gang, and the hiding places of the exhibits which had aroused such hopes and fears were gradually revealed.

The culprits were duly tried before the District Officer, and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The "swag” has been returned to the right ful owners to be dispensed in the old manner; and our rosy visions of Bonus Beer have dissolved into the mists that crown the summit of majestic Kulam bangra.

The “God of the Waters” frowns down upon the small township; meditating, it may be, on the rapid strides black brother is making along the road to Civilisation. —M.