New Guinea Notes.

From Our Own Correspondent.

RABAUL, August 26.

THE local Methodist Church was the scene of a pretty wedding on July 26, when Miss Victoria Murray, of Stan more, New South Wales, was married to Mr. P. J. Martin, of Mioko, in the Duke of York Group. The Rev. F. G.

Lewis performed the ceremony. After wards the wedding breakfast was served at the Wunawutung Hotel.

Mr. R. L. Solomons, who is a well known identity in these parts, but who has been absent for a number of years residing in Western Australia, returned to Rabaul recently and has become at tached to the business of Mr. Adelskold, Mr. Solomons was for some considerable time a branch manager during the Ex propriation Board’s regime.

Miss M. Rogers arrived recently from Australia, and is visiting her sister, Mrs.

George Murray.

There have been a number of valedic tory tea parties during the past month for the purpose of bidding bon voyage to Mrs. E. T. Brennan, who, together with her doctor husband, left on the s.s. “Nellore” for South on August 16.

Mrs. O. Taylor, of the Wau, who has been staying here for a few weeks, re turned to her home by the last “Mon toro,” after having given the local resi dents an opportunity of appreciating her wonderful horsemanship at the gym khana.

Mr. E. P, Holmes, M.L.C., Secretary for Lands, together with Mrs. Holmes, departed on the last Nankin for the East, where they will spend a short holi day, thence proceed to Australia, return ing here about the end of the year.

Dr. Selina Marshall has returned to Rabaul after holidaying in Australia for several months.

Mrs. F. Cutler and her two children arrived by the Nankin from Melbourne to join Mr. Cutler on his plantation at Tobera, in the Kokopo district. Mr.

V. A. Pratt, M.L.C., who is a partner in the plantation, is still away on holiday.

Mrs. H. C. Cardew is spending a holi day at Salamaua.

The next meeting of the Legislative Council, which was originally set down for the beginning of November, has been postponed until next February.

Arrangements have been made for a natives' sports meetings to be held in Rabaul on December 30, when it is an ticipated that nearly all the indentured labourers, together with labourers from the various Government departments, will participate in foot races, greasy poles and tugs-of-war.

Mr. W. H. Carpenter’s pearling lugger “Vera,” with her master, Capt. Tange, is at present in port. It is making a test of the trocas and beche-de-mer fishing around the islands of the Man dated area. Capt. Tange will be pro ceeding to the British Solomons at an early date.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Munster, of Manus, have arrived back from their holiday in the East.

Hon. J. G. Nelsson, M.L.C., of Papua, is at present making a trip through this Territory.

Petrol is now being sold from the Rabaul bowsers at 2/- per gallon, which is a marked reduction in price. In Papua, we understand, prices are even lower, but, then, in that Territory there is no import duty, whereas in New Guinea here we have a duty of 3d. per gallon.

Police figures show that there are in this Territory a total number of 273 motor cars, 34 motor cycles and 152 commercial vehicles, making, in all, a total of 459 motor vehicles.

Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Stewart, of Numa Numa Plantation, in Bougainville, have proceeded to Sydney for a trip, and from thence will journey to the East before returning to Rabaul. This round-trip on the E. and A. boats is becoming a very popular method of spending the few months’ furlough which falls to the lot of us weary islanders.

The gymkhana which was held here on August 12 was an unqualified suc cess. It was held in aid of the funds of the local R.S. & S.I.L.A. Kokopo riders captured most of the prizes, which were presented by Lady Murray.