Disappointment At Gizo

From a Special Correspondent

Gizo, Aug. 1.

The visit of H.M.B. Leith to Gizo. * was a disappointment to loca’ residents. Although in port for five days none of the customary naval courtesies were observed.

Both Europeans and natives expected an opportunity to inspect the ship, but no invitation was issued. A searchlight display—dear to the hearts of natives, and always given by previous visiting warships was conspicuous by its ab sence.

Altogether, the Leith left behind a poor impression of naval occasions.

The High Commissioner arrived in Lever’s inter-island vessel Kurimarau, after having called at several places in accessible to the warship—among them, two of the larger mission stations, where thousands of natives were congregated to receive His Excellency. In marked contrast, a mere handful gathered at Gizo, the Government headquarters of the district, and most of these came to air grievances against the Government!

If the concentration of natives at mis sion stations was designed to demonstrate the relative influence in the native com munity exercised by Government and Missions respectively, the result was en lightening, and doubtless His Excellency made the expected mental comparison.

Miss Maura Pinney, daughter of Cap tain C. R. Pinney (N.I. Administrator) and Mrs. Pinney, left Sydney for Norfolk Island by the Morinda on August 7.