Pacific People

W. J. Hancock arrived in Sydney from Fiji by the “Aorangi” on Aug ust 26. For a number of years, he has been a popular resident of Suva, where he was manager of the Union S.S. Co.’s office; he h xT S « il ow been transferred to the Newcastle (N.S.W.) branch to take charge. Before tak ing up his new duties, early in October he is spending a short holiday in Melbourne and Ade laide. “The gold industry”, said Mr. Hancock, “is contributing in no small measure to the prosperity existing in Fiji to-day. The Gov ernment building programme and road con struction works also are absorbing a good deal of labour”. Right: Mr. M. Lowan left Sydney by the “Tasman” on August 24, for Papua, where he will take up a position with Man dated Alluvials N.L., at their workings about 17 miles from Port Moresby. Mr. Lowan has been engaged in mining work in Fiji. Papua, New Guinea and Nauru over a period of 16 years, and prior to going to Pt. Moresby he worked at Mt. Kasi mine, on Vanua Levu, Fiji, for two years. “Prospects in Fiji are good”, he said, “and the new road between Suva and Sigatoka, will open up a good deal of country that in the past has been too rough to be prospected”.

SECOND ROW.—Left: Mr. and Mrs. B P.

Jones and Mr. W. H. Phillpott arrived in Syd ney by the “Neptuna” at the end of August.

Mr. Jones is manager of the Rabaul Carrying Company, and will spend a short holiday in

Sydney. Mr. Phillpott is merchandise manager at Burns, Philp and Cos. Ltd.’s branch at Ra baul. Right: Miss C. Ford, of the Union As surance Society Ltd., Sydney, left for Suva by the August “Mariposa” on transfer. She ex pects to be in Fiji for two years.

THIRD ROW.—Left: Miss M. Hinde sailed from Sydney for Papua by the “Tasman” on August 24, to spend 12 months with Dr. and

Mrs. F. J. Williams at Pt. Moresby, where Dr. Williams is Acting Chief Medical Officer.

Right: Mr. J. Sexty left Sydney for Port Moresby, Papua, by the August “Tasman”, to take up a position with Steamships Trading Company as a turning engineer.

BOTTOM ROW.—Left: Mrs. H- G. Thornth waite, with her two children, Judith and War wick, arrived in Sydney by the “Neptuna” late in August to spend eight months’ holiday. Mr.

Thornthwaite, who is District Engineer at Wau, New Guinea, also arrived by the same vessel.

Right: Mr, E. Cording, mining engineer, sailed from Sydney for Papua by the last “Tasman” on an inspection visit to the property of Bor neo Options N.L., at Kapa Kapa, 40 miles from Port Moresby.

Mr. B. A. Israel, who lived in Fiji from 1895 until 1920, died in Auckland, N.Z.. in August, aged 57. He was in the em ploy of G. J. Marks and Co., of Navua, for three years before that firm amal gamated with Henry Marks and Co. in 1898. After acting as commercial tra veller for a time, he was appointed manager of the Nausori branch in 1903.

Later he returned to Suva head office to occupy an executive position. In 1920, he went to Auckland to live in retirement. One of his brothers, Mr. C.

Israel, is manager of Morris, Hedstrom’s branch at Lautoka.