Tropicalties

WE have an urgent message from Cap tain P. H. Moody. In the March issue we published a number of photographs from Captain Moody, in cluding one showing “the first aeroplane to fly in New Guinea.” Captain Moody begs us to save him from the wrath of Messrs. Parer, Mustar, Cross, Shaw and other notable pilots who have pioneered the Islands airways. “They will all be up on their hind legs, making loud, angry noises,” says Captain Moody.

“I did not say ‘the first aeroplane’; I said ‘the first monoplane’—which is a vastly different thing. Look on the back of the photograph; I am sure the error is yours.” We have looked. The error is ours. We apologise to Captain Moody and all the pilots concerned. * * * THERE is quite a circumstantial “story” in “The Daily Herald” (London) of March 8 last, about an offer by Japan to enter into a “non aggression pact” with Holland, in return for concessions in Dutch New Guinea.

The proposal, it is said, was declined.

It is stated that the Japanese are seek ing an airway from Japan to Australia; that they have a large aeroplane base in Formosa; that Dutch ’planes, flying over the interior of Borneo, recently have seen carefully-constructed aero dromes on large, isolated plantations there, where Japanese interests have received substantial concessions for growing rubber; and that only one more step is wanted to complete the air track from Japan to Northern Australia.

It probably is all “tosh”—one can place little reliance on the “feature stories” of popular newspapers, especially when they are dealing with international affairs. But it certainly is a fact that Japanese manufacturers need very many of the products of tropical countries, and there are no tropical lands, except the Caroline and Marshall Islands, in the Japanese Empire. It is quite con ceivable that Japan is looking covet ously at the huge and absolutely un developed territory of Dutch New Guinea, without having any design whatever upon Australia. * * * ALTHOUGH the fine speedboat speci ally built for Fiji Airways, Ltd. was destroyed at the end of February by an explosion and fire which occurred when it was undergoing trials on Syd ney Harbour, the energetic people who organised Fiji Airways, Ltd. were not discouraged. They immediately pur chased another fine launch which was despatched to Suva and which, we understand, is already in commission.

Mr. Allan Cross must have been disap pointed at the loss of the boat which he had designed with so much care and which included so many special feat ures: but he was obviously not disheart ened because we learn that already his new company is functioning and hand ling both tourist and regular traffic. The two new seaplanes, purchased in Aus tralia by Fiji Airways, Ltd. are already in Suva and in operation. We predict for the Company a very useful and pro fitable career—although it can hardly hope to score the sensational success achieved by its older relation, Guinea Airways, Ltd.

A READER in Norfolk Island sends the following, with a solemn assurance of its truth:—In reference to danger from falling coconuts, can any reader beat this for a record? After the hurri cane in Fiji, in January, 1912, I was rid ing in the plantation when a heavy nut fell from a height of probably 35 or 40 feet, plumb centre, knocking me out of the saddle. My skull was not broken.

While I was gazing south one Sunday afternoon, hoping to sight the schooner Annie, a nut from a tall old tree bounced off my left upper arm into the Wainunu river. My arm was not broken. On an other occasion, while I was walking, a nut from a very tall tree struck me above the knee. No damage was done. * * * IF any of our readers happen to have kept early copies of The Pacific Is lands Monthly and are prepared to part with same, they may now make a small profit on the transaction. We have had inquiries from several parts of the world for complete files of The Monthly and our own supplies long ago were ex hausted. There are libraries in Britain, Germany and the United States which offer considerable sums for a complete file of the P.I.M., dating back to August, 1930. We have just received a letter from Mr. William F. Wilson, P.O. Box 3235, Honolulu, wherein Mr. Wilson of fers any of our readers 3/- each for copies of Nos. 1,2, 3 and 5 of Volume 1 and 2/- each for copies of Nos. 1,7, 11 and 12 of Volume No. 2. If there are subscribers who have unwanted copies of these particular issues, and will com municate directly with Mr. Wilson, they probably will receive payment by return. * * * IN the passing of Captain Arthur Algernon Austen, late of Ngari Ngari, Marovo Lagoon, the British Solomon Islands Protectorate loses one of its old and respected pioneer planters. His kindly disposition and genuine charity endeared him to all who knew him and the sincerest sym pathy is offered to his bereaved rela tives. He was admitted to the Metho dist Mission Hospital at Bilua, Vella Lavella, on January 19, suffering from a stroke of paralysis and died without gaining consciousness on February 5.

Captain Austen, who held a master mariner’s certificate dated 1899, and also an extra master’s certificate, served as a young man in the New York pilot service and later as an officer on many of the Union Steamship Co.’s vessels, as well as on several barques. He arrived in Fiji as an officer of the Fiji Government’s vessel, H.M.C.S. “Ranadi,” when that vessel was brought from England in 1900. He served as mate of the vessel in Fiji, and from 1903 to 1909 he was in com mand. He was also a member of the Fiji Marine Board from 1907 to 1909.

Resigning from the Fiji service in 1909, Captain Austen came to the Pro tectorate in 1910, having sailed the 14ton cutter “Lily” from Sydney with his brother, Captain Lou. Austen —now resident in Samarai —as the only mem ber of the crew. On arrival he ac quired the freehold title of the island of Ngari Ngari, where he resided until the close of his useful life at the age of 58 years. Many friends mourn the loss of “A.A.”