Notes from New Guinea

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Feb. 25.

THE bullion exported from the Morobe goldfields for the month of December amounted to 15,520 ounces, valued, at £78,819 (Australian currency).

Preparations are already well in hand for the entertainment of the tourists due to arrive by the Orient liner “Otranto” on June 14.

Mr. E. Banks, who, for some years, was manager of the Rabaul Hotel, is taking over the management of the Hotel Pacific as from March 1.

During the month of January 7308 tons of copra were exported. Of this amount nearly 6000 tons was shipped in British bottoms, while 1367 tons were shipped in the German freighter “Friderun.” The most of the copra was consigned to France (2581 tons), Italy (1598 tons), Op tional ports (1358 tons), Holland (1050 tons), Germany (516 tons), and Australia (204 tons).

The radio-telegraphic and telephone service, linking up Buka Passage, will be opened for public use as from March 1.

The Morobe Turf Club is holding an Easter meeting at the Wau on March 31 and April 2. Some good races are ad vertised.

The Kokopo District Sports Club is holding a race meeting on April 2, at the Kinigunan racecourse. Mr. Les Corfe has been elected hon. secretary.

All exposed copra from the Territory is allowed to go out duty free when the assessed value of copra is below the price of £5/15/-. The ordinance is retrospec tive and dates from November 1, 1933.

The assessed value represents the price paid for it in Rabaul.

Peanuts are now admitted free into Australia from New Guinea and Papua.

They are, however, subject to a primage duty of 10 per cent, ad valorem.

At the annual meeting of the Rabaul Recreations, Ltd., the directors decided to distribute a five per cent, dividend. The nett profit for the year ending December 31, 1933, was £482/16/1. The authorised capital is £5000; 885 shares, however, are unallotted.