Annual Session Of Papuan

Legislative Council

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Aug. 8.

rpHE annual sittings of the Legislative I Council of Papua commenced at Pt.

Moresby on July 27. The following members attended: Sir Hubert Murray (presiding), Official Secretary (Hon. H.

L Murray), Director of Public Works (Hon A. P. Lyons), Commissioner for Lands (Hon. C. T. Wurth), Treasurer (Hon. S. Smith), and Hons. J. G. Nels son, A. Jewell and Rev. R. Lister Turner, Non-Official members.

There does not appear to have been

any outstanding legislation presented,

and the following is a summary of the measures dealt with: — Bills relating to Electric Light and Power in Port Moresby and Samarai were passed on July 28; also a Bill relating to the Diocese oi New Guinea and Customs Tariff.

The principal feature of the Bill to amend the Superannuation Ordinance is the provision for female officers in the scheme. Conditions will be the same as for male officers, except that upon marriage female officers shall re sign from the Service, contributions to the scheme being refunded.

Another to amend the law relating to the protection and collection of animals, birds, and native plants consolidates and amplifies the present Ordinance.

A Bill to amend the Police Offences Ordin ances, provides that any European Officer of the armed Constabulary or any two native members, one of whom is a sergeant, may at any time, day or night, search canoes without warrant.

A Bill to amend the Navigation Ordinance, relates to the carriage and storage of dyna mite.

The Council also passed a Bill to amend the Petroleum (Mining) Ordinance, which was forwarded from Canberra.

The Council concluded the session on Aug ust 8, when the Appropriation Bill for tne current year was dealt with.

Mr. Daniel Morrison, 71, most famed of the Pacific’s cable pioneers, died in Hono lulu on July 16. He joined the Commercial Cable Company in Glasgow in 1885. After serving 18 years at the Cape Canso sta tion, Nova Scotia, he came into the Pacific in ' 1903. At Midway Island he prepared for the landing of the trans pacific cable from California to the Orient.

In 1918 he was placed in charge of the company’s activities in Honolulu. Later on, he went to Guam for a short period.

He retired in 1928.