International Courtesies In Rabaul.

Good Feeling Between German Naval Men and Australians.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, June 12.

THE German cruiser Koln, which arrived in Rabaul harbour on June 7, is still here and the celebrations arranged in honour of its visit are still in progress.

The greatest friendliness has been shown by all residents to the youthful cadets and ratings, who have come ashore eager to learn something about New Guinea. Dances, picture theatre entertainments, motoring, racing and sporting events have all been arranged with a view to giving our visitors a good time.

One of the outstanding features of the visit is the great discipline and orderliness displaced by all ranks.

There has not been one single case of drunkenness or misbehaviour on the part of any of the sailors during their visits ashore. There is no ship’s piquet patrolling the town, all the patrol work being done by the local police force.

On Thursday, the day after the arrival of the cruiser, the Commandant, Captain Schniewind, together with a number of his officers and sailors, pro ceeded to the cemetery in the Botanic Gardens and placed a wreath on the grave of Captain Pockley, the first Australian killed in the War at the landing at Kabakaul. Afterwards, a wreath was placed on the grave of a German naval lieutenant who died at Matupi Island in 1910 and was buried there.

A short while before the arrival of the Koln, His Honour the Adminis trator, happened to discover the grave in a secluded part of the island and, realising its inappropriate resting place, gave instructions for the body to be exhumed and buried in the Botanical Gardens Cemetery.

Captain Schniewind expressed his warm gratitude for this act on the part of General Griffiths. Represen tatives of the Returned Soldiers League were present at the graveside during the impressive ceremony and when it was over the Commandant

(Capt. Schniewind) expressed his appreciation, in a few well-chosen words, to the president of the League, Mr. R. L. Clark, M.L.C., “as one soldier to another.”

The town has been en fete ever since the arrival of the cruiser; private indi viduals have placed cars at the dis posal of the transport committee and their homes have been open for the entertainment of the visitors; the ladies on the committee have been doing pioneer work; cakes have been made by the hundreds, sandwiches by the thousands.

The officers and men of the cruiser have expressed their keen appreciation of the hospitality which has been shown to them.

The Koln is due to leave on June It for Guam, where she will refuel.

Thence she will proceed to Japan and make her way through Eastern waters, back through Suez to Germany, where she is due on December 12.

Miss Edith Williams, who has just completed ten years’ nursing service with the Australian Board of Missions in Papua, returned to Sydney by the “Montoro” on May 13.

Patrol Officer Mark Birr, who took out a patrol from Surprise Creek, New Guinea, to arrest the attackers of Patrol Officer McCarthy’s patrol, was a pas senger to Sydney by last “Macdhui”.

Mr. Pitt is now in Melbourne on long leave.

Mr. G. S. Chisholm, manager at Le vuka for Messrs. Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., left for Apia by the “Roxen” last month.

Mr. Chisholm is relieving Mr. A. G.

Smyth, who is on extended leave. Mr.

L. St. George Ryder is relieving manager at Levuka.

Miss E. French, headmistress of the Suva Girls’ Grammar School, sailed for a short holiday in New Zealand by the “Mariposa” on May 16.