Queer Incidents Near

New Guinea An Official Party is Startled

TtyfYSTERIOUS incidents, in and aroimd JVI New Guinea, in recent months, have indicated the delicacy of the intei national situation, and emphasised the fact that, just over the horizon from Aus tralia’s Mandated Territory is the Japan ese Mandated Territory of the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

When the E. and A. liner “Neilore” was on her way south, from Manila to Rabaul, about the middle of February, she quite unexpectedly came upon the German (NDL.) steamer “Friderun”, near Manus (Admiralty Islands). The “Friderun” was unloading what appeared to be drums of oil, or motor-spirit, into a small, unidenti fied vessel.

The “Friderun’s” activity may have been quite innocent, but those most inter ested seem to see a particular significance in it.

Within the last three months, the New Guinea Administration’s vessel “Leander” was off the eastern coast of New Ireland when she encountered—apparently by accident—a large mysterious vessel. When the “Leander”, which carried a party of officials, proceeded to investigate, she was met with every indication of hostility.

Exactly what happened, no one knows, outside of officialdom; but it is known that something of an urgent character was reported by radio by the “Leander”, and then the latter vessel returned im mediately and unexpectedly to port. It is known positively, however, that the myster

ious stranger was not Japanese.

About the same time, in the same region (off the eastern coast of New Ireland) just after daylight one morning, a large naval vessel, attended by two or three smaller craft, was noticed travelling south-eastwards; and again, in relation to this visitor, officialdom adopted a policy of “hush, hush!”.

Mr. J. W. Sadlier, who for over 30 years was in charge of the Fiji Government’s Makuluva Quarantine station, died at Nasoata Island, Fiji, in June at the age of 66.