W. R. Carpenter and Co.

Buy Out On Chong and Co. in Gilbert Islands

THERE have been important develop ments in connection with the trading and transport business of Messrs. W. K.

Carpenter and Co. Ltd.

Messrs. Carpenter, who already con duct an important chain of general stores, trading stations, and plantations in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, purchased at the end of December the trading and plantation business of Messrs. On Chong and Co. Ltd., who have been established in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands for many years.

This transaction was completed late in December and the operations of the firm already are under the direction of Messrs. Carpenter and Co. Ltd. We un derstand that the trading name will not be changed for the present. The only other laige trader in the Gilbert and Ellice Group is Messrs. Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.; which means that the commercial business of the Crown Colony will be divided between Messrs.

Burns Philp and Co. and Messrs. Car penter and Co., just as it is now in New Guinea and the Solomons.

Steamer Schedules Altered

Simultaneously with this development, Messrs. Carpenter have altered the itin-