Solomon Islands

Administration

From a Special Correspondent.

Tulagi, Nov. 14.

THE first session of the sixth triennial period of the British Solomon Islands Advisory Council was inaugurated at Tulagi on October 20.

Members present were—Official, His Honour the Acting-Resident Commis sioner (Captain N. S. B. Kidson); Trea surer (Mr. F. E. Johnson, 1.5.0.); Senior Medical Officer (Dr. H. B. Hetherington); Acting-Commissioner of Lands (Mr. A. H.

Wilson); Non-official: Right Rev. W. H.

Baddeley, Bishop of Melanesia; Messrs.

D. Mackinnon, G. E. Clift, and J. C. M.

Scott.

In the financial estimates for 1937-38 a deficit of £2OOO was forecast. It is pro posed to draw upon the accumulated sur plus funds for the deficiency, should it materialise. These funds benefited in the last completed financial year by the addi tion of excess revenue to the extent of £9241.

Charges On Shipping

During the debate on the estimates, non-official members drew attention to the heavy charge imposed on shipping for light and harbour dues. It was not suggested that the rate be reduced, but that the service rendered, insofar as pro vision for lights and beacons are con cerned, be improved.

Explosives Danger

An inquiry into the manner in which explosives are stored in congested town ship areas revealed that there exists con siderable danger from the manner in which petrol and other highly inflam mable oils are kept in Chinatown, Tulagi.

A draft regulation to control this poten tial menace to life and property was de bated at some length, and approved.

Diet For Native Labourers

In view of sporadic outbreaks of beri beri among native labourers, it was con

sidered desirable that an alteration should be made in the ration scale. After con sidering a number of alternative scales, one of which. provides for the addition of fresh vegetables or peas and beans or onions, recommended by the Senior Medi cal Officer, were agreed to.

The Minimum Wage

The i ecommendation of the Advisory Board, which sat earlier in the week to consider the question of the minimum

wage ter native labourers, was submitted to the Council, and unanimously agreed to. The submission to his Excellency the High Commissioner is to the effect that the present minimum rate should be maintained, as circumstances do not at present warrant an alteration.

An amendment of the Immigrants’ Bond Regulation was approved.

Routine matters having been disposed of, the Council adjourned sine die on October 23.