Governor Of Fiji In

Australia

THE Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir A. G. Murchison Fletcher, arrived in Syd ney by the Monowai from New Zealand on February 17.

It is believed that His Excellency will enter into discussions with the Federal Government concerning trade relations be tween Australia and Fiji, which are in a bad way. Sir Murchison pointed out to Sydney reporters, in a mild reference to the subject, that the balance of the trade at present is overwhelmingly in favour of Australia.

No official intimation has been given, but it is hoped that the Governor will be in Canberra, or somewhere near at hand, when the Conference of Australian Pacific Administrators is held in March.

A farewell dinner was given to Mr. R.

F. Whitten, at the Papua Hotel, on Jan uary 17, on the night of his departure from Port Moresby for Samarai. Mr.

Whitten had sold his business interests in the town, and his many friends gathered to bid him farewell. Mr. Justice Gore presided, and three dozen men made up the party, which was probably the most representative gathering in Port Moresby for many years. The toast of the evening, “Our Guest,” was proposed by the Hon. H. W. Champion, C.B.E. (Acting-Lieut.-Governor), Mr. R. F.

Whitten has been a resident in the Terri tory for 40 years. He arrived in 1894, and his late brother, Hon William Whit ten, arrived still earlier, on August 22, 1885, when he accompanied the first Special Commissioner (Sir Peter Scratch

ley) to the then Protectorate. Whitten Bros, is a firm that has been established here from the beginning; and the early progress of the Territory was in a large measure assisted by its operations.