About Islands People

Mr. Charles B. Nordhoff, the well known American writer who has been settled in Tahiti for so long, is expected to join the “Aorangi” on her next trip South, from U.S.A., and tranship at Suva for Tahiti. Mr. Nordhoff has been visit ing his family on the American main land.

Captain George J. McMillan, U.S. Navy, recently took over the office of Governor of Guam Island, replacing Captain James T. Alexander, who has been given the post of commanding officer of the U.S.S.

“Astoria”. The island, which is an A.merican Naval outpost, is situated at the extreme southern end of the Mariana Archipelago (Japanese), in North-West Pacific. It is used as a stopping place by Pan American Airways Clippers in the North Pacific Service, from U.S.A. to the Philippines.

Mr. J. L. Taylor, who is well known in New Guinea for his exploration work in the Hagen-Sepik region, returned to Rabaul in July, after some months in Australia, during which he compiled a valuable report on his 1938-39 patrol through unknown Central N. Guinea.

Mr. Ted Reed, who was for so long associated with Rarotongan agriculture, arrived in New Zealand by the “Matua” recently. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have made several attempts to settle in New Zea land, but have always returned to the Cook Islands. One of the last posts occupied by Mr. Reed was that of acting- Resident at Aitutaki.

Dr. A. zur Werra, a Swiss scientist who has been carrying out anthropological research in the New Guinea hinterland, returned to Rabaul late in July. He spent part of his two years’ study among the natives of the Upper Sepik; he also visited Dutch New Guinea and Papua in connection with his work.

Dr. Alfred Metraux, associate in eth nology at the Bishop Museum, Hawaii, after completing a course of lectures at the Graduate School, Yale University,

has left for Argentina. A Guggenheim Fellowship has made it possible for the French scientist to do field work there.

Dr. Metraux visited Easter Island in 1935, subsequently calling at Tahiti with other members of the Franco-Belgian Expedition, and his writings on the island have since attracted considerable attention. Since then he has been asso ciated with the Bishop Museum. His “Ethnology of Easter Island” is now on the press.

Mr. Brian Cobcroft, of Apia. Samoa, reached England in July with the Royal New Zealand Air Force contingent. He holds the rank of Sergeant-Observer.

Rev. J. W. Poole, together with Mrs.

Poole, will leave Sydney shortly for New Britain, where he will take up duties with the Methodist Mission.

Mr. L. Cay, manager of Mariboi plan tation, Papua, was married in Australia recently and has returned to Port Moresby with his bride.

Captain and Mrs. Frank Williams, of Suva, Fiji, celebrated the 50th anniver sary of their wedding on July 2 —they were married in Suva on that date in 1890. Captain Williams is one of the best known men in Fiji shipping and commercial circles. Having served an apprenticeship with the Norse Line, he went to Fiji and traded for many years with small inter-island vessels. In 1894, he joined the Union S.S. Co. in Suva and until 1933 was chief pilot and stevedore.

He founded the firm of Williams and Gosling, one of the most flourishing in the Colony. Unfortunately, Captain and

MISS D. E. WILSON, who has just been accepted by the Methodist Mission Board to do nursing work in New Britain, will leave Sydney within a few weeks for Rabaul. —“Mission Review” Photo.

Mrs. Williams were not in Suva on the date of their wedding anniversary — they were passengers on the “Niagara” in June, returning to Fiji from a holiday ta . N S W Zealand, when that vessel was mmed. The gay celebrations planned

SfnmldTfe? The w 7

ftbpfr r

hams family m Fiji comprises their four fiV6 daughters and 19 grandchildren.

Alr V of the N G Denartment

to RaSl at Te

rst^L July - atter spending leave in Australia.

Mr. G. R. Richardson, a medical assistant attached to the Australasian Petroleum Co. at Karivava. Papua, who has been spending furlough in New Zealand, returned to Australia recently to undergo further training at Melbourne Hospital. He has been in Papua for 14 years.