Rabaul Notes
p. 77 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, March 16. fTIHE Administration has ceased to publish each JL month the official “Bulletin” which contains the movements of staff. The reason advanced is on account of economy.
An engagement recently announced was that of Mr. Victor Pennefather to Miss Lamb, the newly arrived niece of Mrs. Jimmy Duncan. Miss Lamb is on a visit to her aunt at Rapopo estate.
The Automobile Club of New Guinea has come to life again, and on March 15 held a reliability contest for the Dunlop Trophy. The run was to the Kokopo Club and was won by Mr. Baden Jones in his Nash.
Planters in need of labour are happy to learn that several old recruiting grounds have been re opened by the Administration. They include Buka and adjacent islands. Central Nakanai (which is no longer an “uncontrolled” area), and a number of Sepik River villages.
A warrant officer of police stationed at Manus appeared recently before Judge Phillips in the Rabaul Supreme Court, on a charge of rape. The accused pleaded not guilty and put forward as his defence an alibi and alleged conspiracy. His Honour brought in a verdict of not guilty and the accused was discharged. In his summing-up the judge stated that the offence had not been proved to the satisfaction of the Court, and, there fore, the prisoner would receive the benefit of the doubt. Furthermore, added His Honour, the ac cused’s alibi was not proved, nor was there any suggestion of conspiracy on the part of the Crown witness.
The finding by natives of a raft capable of holding 17 persons, has been reported to the
Harbour Master. The raft was found a mile from Induna Island, near Putput, on the south coast of New Britain, and is similar to that carried by the ill-fated schooner Hermes.
Weddings of late have been very popular. Mr.
Robert Box married Mrs. Lindholm, of Strathfield, on February 21. Mr. Bailey, of the Public Health Department, married Miss Allsop on February 15. The latter ceremony took place in the Metho dist Church, and was performed by Rev. F. J.
Lewis.