No Rebuilding Yet
p. 26 · Read in the full issue
Loss of Carpenter's Roboul Store
A FORMAL enquiry into the fire which destroyed the large retail store of W. R. Carpenter & Co., Ltd., in Rabaul, late in August, was held in Sep tember. About a dozen witnesses were examined, but the coroner said there was no evidence whatever to indicate the prob able cause of the fire.
The business of the big firm, which was badly disorganised by the fire, has been
largely re-established; but it seems that the firm will not continue with retail distribution in Rabaul in the manner followed hitherto. No steps have been taken to erect a new building. It is not expected that anything will be done un til the international situation —which must affect the future of New Guinea— becomes a little clearer; and until some thing more definite is known about the site of the new capital.
Mr. I). R. c. Harvie. Fiji Customs officer, is spending long leave in Aus tralia.