Solomon Is. Notes

Gold Industry and Native Labour

From Our Own Correspondent

Tulagi, May 11.

THE outlook for development in the gold industry seems quite hopeful, although no final report on the result of recent expert investigations has been made public locally. Those interested in the copra industry fear that the urgent need for a quick and plentiful supply of labour may induce the gold companies to offer increased wages to natives, who are now beginning to recruit at the new basic wage. This would be a very severe blow to planters, who cannot produce profitably except at the amended basic wage. Natives are now accepting the new wage, but if one vessel once offers better terms, all chance of continued recruiting at the minimum rate is off.

Assistance For Planters Needed

Now that the price of copra has improved a little, the proposed Government assistance for the erection of driers seems to be drifting into the limbo of things forgotten.

It is to be remembered that, even if the improved price remains permanent, plantations have been neglected, and planters have become heavily in debt to trading companies where the firms have not gobbled them up. There is a lot of leeway to make up and planters still need help before they will be out of the woods.

MR. HUGG TO RETURN TO MARU BAY Mr. O. B. Hugg, a very old Solomon Islands resident of Maru Bay, San Cristoval, was expected back by the last steamer. All arrangements had been made for transport from Tulagi to Maru Bay Estate, which, during Mr. Hugh’s absence, had been leased to the Melanesian Mission. But the steamer arrived without Mr. Hugg, to the great disappointment of all his old friends. It is hoped that Mr. Hugg will be aboard the next Malaita.

Accommodation In Tulagi

The problem of accommodation in Tulagi is still acute. Although there are seven licenses to sell alcohol in the port, only one building is provided with accommodation, and no arrangements are made there to cater for travellers.

The business is understood to be for sale, and there have been one or two nibbles, but so far no one has taken the business over.

Mr. Anderson Ill Again

Quite a number of local residents have been receiving attention lately in Tulagi hospital. Shortly after a trip to Sydney for health reasons, Mr.

Anderson, W. R. Carpenter and Co.’s engineer, became ill again. There is no one available to take his place at the engine shop; fortunately Lever’s Gavutu shop is able to do work other than that connected with its own firm, otherwise it would be impossible to get necessary repair work done.

House-Breakers In Russell Group

At Pepesala Estate, in the Russell Group, an ambitious but unsuccessful attempt was made recently to remove the safe from the house during: the absence of the manager. It is very difficult to secure a conviction in such cases, as, for fear of reprisals, no native dare tell anything he knows.

One or two convictions, with a reasonably severe sentence, will have a salutary effect.

Kookoom Sports Meeting

It has generally been assumed in the Solomons, that, owing to the scattered nature of the islands,, and the difficulty of foregathering, any effort to or ganise a sports meeting, except at Tulagi and chiefly from the township’s own population, must meet with failure. However, this pessimistic attitude was proved unjustified when a very successful sports and race meeting was held at Kookoom on the Guadalcanal coast during Easter. While the crowds were not great, “everybody” was there,, and a great time was enjoyed by all.

Devoted Marist Missionary

Rev. Father J. Coicaud, of the Marist Mission at Langa Langa (Malaita), has been compelled to go to Sydney for health reasons. Father Coicaud’s many years of good work in the Solomons have undermined his constitution, but he has dedicated his life to the work. As soon as a holiday South has enabled him to recuperate sufficiently to carry on, he will be back at his task.

“Jock Of The Islands”

Advance copies of Mr. Cromar’s book, “Jock of the Islands,” have been received in Tulagi. Reviews have appeared in the London “Times,” and one or two other papers, and appear distinctly favourable. Apparently the reading public generally, as well as folk with local knowledge and interests, will be greaty interested in the story.

A second volume has been sent to the publishers in England. It should be as interesting as the first volume.

Simbo Native Murdered

Another case of a local native being murdered by a “boy” from another island occurred recently, when a Malaita man, armed with an axe, attacked a Simbo native at Simbo. It is very doubtful if any good can come of allowing the fierce Malaita. men to settle in quiet native villages inhabited by other tribes.

Mr. H. C. Symes’ New Invention

Much interest is being shown in a local invention on which world patents have been secured, and which may create a sensation when it is put on the market. The device, invented by Mr. H. C.

Symes, of Guadalcanal, is a projectile which denickels, cleans, wipes, and leaves a film of oil in the barrel of firearms. The gadget, like most successful inventions, is so simple, that the wonder is someone has not produced it long ago.

A very small charge of a clean explosive fires it. The “bullet” has the usual nose, a faintly marked spiral groove to follow the rifling, a wad impregnated with a special cleansing compound, a drying wad which removes all traces of the cleanser, and finally, a wad impregnated with a special oil, a film of which is left inside the barrel. By the simple process of firing this projectile, in a fraction of a second the weapon is denickelled, cleaned, and oiled, without any pull through, paraphernalia, or loss of time.

For many months now, the Government launch has been out of commission. Recently a full Diesel Gardner engine was installed, and at her trial run she did over seven knots. The launch, which gets a lot of use, will be appreciated now that she is again in satisfactory commission.

The “Evangel,” the schooner owned by the South Sea Evangelical Mission, has been on the slips in Tulagi, being thoroughly overhauled.