Rabaul News

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Jan. 10.

HIS Lordship the Bishop of Melanesia (Rev. W.

H. Baddeley) arrived in Rabaul by the Malaita recently and intends spending some time in this part of his diocese, visiting the goldfields before returning again to Rabaul.

Rev. J. F. Goldie, of the Methodist Mission of New Zealand, at Roviana, in the Solomon Islands, was also a Malaita passenger, returning by that vessel after a short stay here.

Mrs. Doris Booth, of Bulolo, has been spending some weeks here, as the guest of Mrs. Hut chinson.

Mrs. Don Irvine, of Samarai, Papua, arrived by the Macdhui, and stayed over in Rabaul until the arrival of the Malaita, by which vessel she journeyed to the Solomons on a visit to her son there. Whilst here Mrs. Irvine gave a very jolly cocktail party at the Rabaul Hotel.

Mr. N. Tribolet, of the B.P. staff, has returned from his holidays South, and is looking much the better for the change.

Reports have been received from the Manus dis trict that there are still a number of Japanese fishing sampans skinning the reefs of trocas. In

some parts the reefs have have been completely depleted of shell; as one philosopher puts it: “This will at least stop the poachers from coming now that there is no more shell.” It would seem that little attention is being paid to the depredations of the shell-thieves by the authorities in Aus tralia, who some time ago spoke of fast patrol boats.

The Rabaul Dramatic and Musical Society staged another play-reading on January 7, when a number of the members were present to listen to J. B. Priestley’s “Dangerous Corner.” It was a successful programme, and much credit is due to the dramatic producer, Major Ayris, for his energies in this direction.