[?]S Hold On Christmas
p. 26 · Read in the full issue
Island
From Our Own Correspondent
Honolulu, July 26.
TT.Jf.S. ACHILLES (N.Z. Division of A A the Royal Navy) left Honolulu to-day, taking Mr. William Cowie, a wireless operator formerly employed by the Brit ish Colonial Office in Suva, to replace Mr Oscar Barrack at Christmas Island. Since February last Mr. Barrack has main tained daily wireless contact with Fan ning Island and Suva.
This move is the latest indication that Britain means business about her owner ship of mid-Pacific islands which are threatened with occupation by Uncle Samuel. Mr. Cowie has taken new and
more powerful wireless equipment (a 100-watt two-way short wave unit) and sufficient stores and other supplies to last 12 months, the duration of his service at Christmas, when he will he replaced.
Christmas is under lease from Britain to a French copra company, with head quarters in Tahiti. The plantation is managed by a Czecho-Slovakian, Mr.
Franta Jerabak, who has an Austrian wife. Because they can converse only in French, Mr. Cowie has taken along a French-English dictionary.
Rev. R. S. Walker, accompanied by his wife and their two sons, arrived In Suva, Fiji, from Australia, by the July Niagara. They went on to Taveuni Is land, where Mr. Walker has taken charge of the Cakaudrove circuit for the Metho dist Mission, replacing Rev. L. E. Saville, who recently died from typhoid fever.
Mr. A. Travers Black, well-known Sydney mining engineer, arrived in Port Moresby in July to take charge of the mining operations in Papua of Man dated Alluvials N.L, and Dominion Gold Limited.
Mr. William Cowie, “snapped” as he was going on board the warship with his bull-terrier, en route to hold Christmas Island for John Bull against Uncle Sam. He anxiously assured our correspondent that the pose was accidental and not symbolical.