Wallis Is. Branch.

Burns, Philp Extend to French Territory.

Apia, Jan. 20.

AFTER having recently established a branch on American territory at Pago Pago, Messrs. Burns, Philp (S.S.) Co., Ltd., have now further ex tended their activities to neighbouring French territory on Wallis Island.

Mr. C. C. Brady, inspector of the firm, recently travelled by the “Makoa” to Wallis Island and successfully closed negotiations with local traders, thereby acquiring the interests of Messrs. J. S.

Brial and Wing Ming and Co.

Mr. Jones, late accountant from the Vila branch, has been appointed mana ger of the new agency at Wallis Island and will arrive there at the end of Janu ary. The branch will be put under the management of Apia office.

The new, elaborate office and store building of B.P.’s at Apia, now in course of erection, promises to be the largest and highest building in Samoa when completed at the end of the year. The estimated cost of the building (about £22,000) easily constitutes a record for Samoa.

The rapid extension of B.P.’s activities may serve as a reassuring and confi dence-inspiring fact to those who won der about the future prospects of the Is lands. The large investments of B.P.’s

and other firms should strengthen the belief that prosperity is bound to return to Samoa.