Banners For New Guinea

Defence Force

From Our Own Correspondent WAU, Jan. 24.

MEMBERS of “B” Company and No. 13 Machine Gun Platoon assembled m force (under the command of Lieut.

Harold Taylour) in Wau, on January 19, to receive two flags presented by the Wau Branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A.

A happy choice was made by the Re turned Soldiers in Major C. B. Ayris, to make the presentation. Major Ayris. a keen soldier with a fine record of service in the South African War and the Great War, made a short, impressive speech.

“Your elder brothers of the Returned Soldiers’

League present to you two banners, as a token of their manly affection and deep respect for you who have taken up arms at your country’s call in this second inferno within twenty-five years,” he said. “I am not unmindful that some of you here on parade to-night are re

turned soldiers. Should you be called upon to defend this, your country of adoption, or be called to fields of battle in other parts of the world, we returned soldiers will know that you will give a good account of yourselves.

“These banners are redolent of tradition, through every strand which weaves their pat tern. The Union Jack—which, thank God, is incorporated in every banner throughout this Commonwealth of Empire—-has stood through the centuries for right and justice, “Lieutenant Taylour, into your worthy and trusted keeping I now place these two banners, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ League, be ing well assured that that trust will never be betrayed or tarnished.”

A black marlin, better known as a swordfish, attracted interest in the fish market in Suva recently. The nearest habitat of these fish is Russell. Bay of Islands, N.Z., and it is unusual to find them in the warmer tropic waters.

Swordfish are sometimes seen off Navua, especially in very rough weather, but they do not reach the dimensions of those caught in New Zealand. The one caught in Fiji was 9 ft. 6 ins. in length, and weighed 170 lbs., the sword being over 18 inches long.