administration of u.s.

Central Pacific Islands

From Our Own Correspondent

Honolulu, Jan. 9.

A LTHOUGH employees on the job have recommended that at least Baker Island be abandoned by its present four colonists (American youths from Honolulu), the U.S. Division of Territories and Insular Possessions has budgeted 43,000 dollars for the adminis tration of the • so-called U.S. Line Is lands during the 1940 fiscal year.

The islands are: Jarvis, Baker, How land, Canton and Enderbury, all of them “annexed” in recent years by U.S.A. Although the U.S. navy and army closely observe all activities in connection with the occupation, the isles ostensibly (to salve the watchful Jap anese) are run by the Division of Ter ritories and Insular Possessions, which is innocuous sounding.

Mr. H. Temple Watts arrived in Port Moresby by the “Bulolo” on January 6 to assume executive charge of the op erations of the Australasian Petroleum Co. Mr. Temple Watts is not a stranger to Papua, for he was there in 1928-9 as local manager for the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., which was then working as agent for the Commonwealth in the search for oil. Since that time he has risen high in the executive of the Com pany, and his position in Papua is an important one.

Key A. H. Wood, now of Concord, N.S W., after spending nearly 14 years £j°nga as principal of the Tubou College, will take up duties as headmaster of the Methodist Ladies’ College. Hawthorn Victoria in Mav next ° ’ victoria, in may next.

Major J. P. Magrane, Superintendent of Police in Maritius, has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police in • 1J1 tvt 18 ex P ected t 0 take U P duties in March.

Mr. Geof. Hatton, of Rabaul, New Guinea, married Miss Helen Sweet at St George’s Church of England, Rabaul, in mid-January.

Mr. W. Nosworthy returned to Queens land by the “Nankin” at the end of January after a visit to New Guinea to inspect his timber interests at Put Put.

Mr. A. Moorhouse, of the Customs De partment, Samoa, reached New Zealand in January to spend short leave.