Fiji Cutter Ashore

The 30-ton auxiliary cutter Variance, owned by Mr. Sidney Smith, of Navodo, Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu, Fiji, went ashore on the reef at the island of Nairai.

She was en route from Natewa Bay to Suva at the time.

While the Mataram was in the Solomons recently, Mr. E. C. Johnston, plantation overseer, of Yondini, had his arm shattered during blasting operations. He was brought aboard the steamer to Dr.

R. Thompson, and the ship’s surgeon, with the assistance of a passenger who had some knowledge of anaesthetics, amputated Mr. Johnson’s forearm. Mr.

Johnson was later taken to the Hospital at Tulagi, where, on last account, he was making satisfactory progress.

Mr. Herbert W. Champion, Government Secretary, Territory of Papua, was award ed a C.B.E. (Civil Division) by the King in the New Year Honours List. Mr.

Champion, a New Zealander, born at Kaiapoi in 1880, was educated at Canterbury College (N.Z.), and has been Government secretary in Papua since 1916. A senior member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and formerly Treasurer, Mr. Champion has administered the Government on eleven occasions between 1916 and 1932, during the frequent absences of the Lieutenant- Governor, Sir Hubert Murray.