“Tin Can” Mail In Hawaii

From Our Own Correspondent.

Honolulu, Aug. 13.

•THE bright idea of Niuafoou’s “Tin *• Can” mail system this week bore excellent fruit when a local Japanese fishing sampan, off the coast from Hono lulu, was suddenly approached by the German freighter Friesland, tooting shrilly upon her siren.

Nearing the sampan, the Friesland’s crew tossed a large tin can into the sea and by signs urged the Japanese to pick it up. This the Japanese did, and on the can found printed; “Please send! this letter box to the post office in Honolulu.”

The Japanese waved that they would, and the Friesland happily tooted in grati

tude and sped away to her destination.

Opened by U.S. post office officials, the can contained 24 letters, 18 postcards and two dollars in currency, more than enough to pay postage on the mail to its destinations in Germany. No note was enclosed in the can explaining the un usual method of mailing. The Germans took everything for granted.

Mr. Frederick Midson, who lived in Fiji for nearly 30 years, died at Narra been, Sydney, on August 26, aged 72.

Settling in the Colony in 1902, he joined the Department of Public Works and was foreman until he retired in 1931. He is survived by Mrs. Midson and a son, Mr.

John Midson, of the Electricity Depart ment, Suva.