Capital.

To Select a New Capital.

General Griffiths Appointed Head

of the N.G. Committee.

THE personnel of the Committee ap pointed by the Federal Government to select a site for the new capital of New Guinea consists of: — Brigadier-General T. Griffiths, former ly Administrator of New Guinea (Chair man) ; Mr. C. W. Thomas, loans officer of the Commonwealth Treasury (finance mem ber) ; and Mr. L. Thornton, engineer of the De partment of the Interior (technical member), The Committee sailed from Sydney for Rabaul by the “Nankin” on February 12.

A report will be prepared for presenta tion to the Government at the end of March.

Brigadier-General Thomas Griffiths, C.M.G., C.8.E., D. 5.0., was Administra tor of New Guinea from 1919 to 1921, during th,e military occupation, and again from 1932 to 1934 during the civil administration.

Matupi Again Active.

Passengers from Rabaul who reached Cairns by the “Montoro” on February 12, said that severe “gurias” shook the town on th,e Bth. Three distinct shocks were felt, one of which lasted 50 seconds, causing some alarm. Only minor damage was done.

Matupi volcano, it was reported, was showing renewed activity. It was belch ing dense clouds of sulphurous smoke and steam.

Mr. J. Sharpe, one of the passengers, said that the discovery had been made that the entire town site of Rabaul had sunk one foot.