“Incident” in the Solomons

From Our Own Correspondent

Tulagi, Jan. 27.

CONFLICTING reports come from the Island of Malaita, of a visit by a Japanese shell poacher to the Gower Island, about 30 miles from the NorJi Mala Coast.

Apparently, the Japanese were warned off, and reports after that are too con flicting to record.

One version has it that the Japanese killed with paddles a native who protested to the poachers. Others say that they killed several natives with dynamite; others that the natives captured a Jap anese and held him for ransom.

The District Officer has gone to the island, and definite information will soon be available.

The Gower Islanders are less aggressive than Malaitamen, and if there was any trouble it is not likely that the natives started it. In any case, the poachers should not have been there.

It was announced on February 14 that Robinson River Plantations Ltd., with a nominal capital of £200,000, had been registered with the object of acquiring from Robinson River Co. Ltd., all its assets in Papua. The first directors of the new Company are Messrs. J. Burns, R. J. Nosworthy, L. Armstrong, and Joseph Mitchell—who are, of course, directors of Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co.

Limited.