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N.Z. Sloop Visits G. & E.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Tarawa, Sept. 2.

rE N.Z. sloop “Wellington’* (Com mander Lauriston Clark) recently made its annual visit to the Gilbert and Ellice Colony, bringing the new Acting Resident Commissioner, His Honour Mr.

H H Garvey, M.A., F.R.A.1., on a visit of inspection from headquarters at Ocean Island.

The Senior Administrative Officer, Major C. A. Swinbourne, 0.8. E., paid the usual formal call aboard, followed by a visit ashore by the Acting Resident Com missioner, accompanied by Commander Lauriston Clark and District Officer Blaikie. After taking the salute from

the native police Guard of Honour and meeting European residents, the Com missioner addressed the native population through an interpreter.

During the warship’s stay, a sports and entertainment programme was car ried through, including a native dance at Betio village and the annual cricket match, Navy versus Boys’ School, at Baeriki.

Mr. and Mrs. T. Garrett, of Varzin Plantation, Kokopo, New Guinea, who have been absent from the Territory for several years, returned to Rabaul by the Septem ber “Salamaua”.

Rev. H. Irving, who during the past 18 months has been curate of Suva, Fiji, re turned to New Zealand by the last “Mari posa”, having resigned owing to ill-health.

Having completely stripped the pearl shell beds off the Arnhem Land coast, North Australia, during the past two years, the 190 luggers of the Japanese pearling fleet have moved to new beds off the south-west coast of Melville Island, about 80 miles from Darwin.