New Guinea Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Dec. 24.

A FIRE occurred at one of the copra driers owned by Messrs. W. R. Carpenter and Co. at Toboi, on the outskirts of Rabaul on December 12. Fortunately the damage occasioned was not great owing to the prompt response made by the local fire brigade, which had on this occasion its first baptism of fire.

Mr. V. Maxwell, of Kavieng, passed through Rabaul recently from the East where he made interesting visits to some of the oil-extracting factories in Manila and elsewhere. Mr. Maxwell was surprised at the fact that the grade of copra, in that country was far inferior to that produced here.

Tenders are being called for the Japanese sam pan, “Yocikune Maru,” which was captured in Mandated waters and of which the captain and crew were imprisoned and fined.

The amount of copra shipped from the Terri tory during November was 8668 tons. Over 4000 tons were consigned to United Kingdom, Germany received 2841 tons, 1101 tons were shipped to Italy, and Australia received 432 tons.

Mrs. Harold Page, wife of the Government Secretary, arrived from Sydney by the Neptun for the Christmas holidays. She will return next month to Sydney to take charge of her children, who are attending school there.

The Rabaul Dramatic and Musical Society pro vided Rabaul music-lovers with a very delightful musicale on December 10. The programme was arranged by Mrs. Backhouse, and included a musical quartette of Messrs. Hopkins, Thornth waite (violins), Haslam (’cello), and Mrs. Back house at the piano. Violin solos were rendered by Miss Hanna Rundnagel and vocal items by Mrs.

Youlden and Mrs. Bates.

Miss Monk, of New Zealand, is staying with her sister, Mrs. C. K. Anthony, of Rabaul.

A jolly Christmas party was held at Mr. and Mrs Waugh’s residence at Kokopo recently when the children of the district were entertained to Christmas fare and a Christmas tree laden with, presents. .

The Rabaul Public School held its Christmas “break-up” on December 14, when prizes were given to the successful students by His Honour the Administrator. The recipients in Grade VII. were; First prize, Cecil Evans; second prize, Jack Steeples.

Mrs. Grace Schmidt departed for South by the Tanda recently.

Mr. J. J. Gilmore, of Put Put plantation, is making a business trip to Australia.

Mr. Maunsell Turner, of the Crown Law Office, left by the Tanda for holidays in Australia.

Mr W. F. Coultas, who is doing excellent work for the Natural History Museum of New York, is in Rabaul after having spent some time in the Lihir Islands, off the New Ireland coast, where he obtained some very interesting ornitholo gical specimens for his collection. He intends making a trip to the Tanga Group before he departs for America in a few months time. Mr.

Coultas is accompanied by his wife, who is of great assistance to him in his work.

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Heron, of Tovakundum, arrived by the Neptun on December 17.