Late News

UNDERGROUND miners at New Guinea Goldfields Ltd. Golden Ridges workings were still on strike (see article on page 9) when this issue went to press. The Co.’s Sydney agents stated on April 15 that the men had not then been dismissed nor the mines closed down; that operations would re-com mence as soon as the men returned to work; and that alluvial mining was still in progress. An earlier report from Wau said that 98 men had been paid off; that No. 4 shaft had caved in at Edie Creek; and that three pumps were then under water.

AUSTRALIAN officials at present are investigating in Sydney a process patented by Mr. A. G. Tomlinson, under which, it is claimed, a valuable motor spirit, and by-products, are cheaply produced by low-temperature carbonisation of copra. It is calculated by the promoters that if copra can be bought at £lO per ton, landed in Sydney, the process will return £6 per ton, net profit.

SIX young Samoan men, in Apia, on March 10, having completed a 3years’ course, received their gradua tion certificates and were informed that

they now will be employed in Samoa by the Administration as Native Dental Officers. The Native Dental Clinic, con ducted at the Apia Hospital by Mr.

Francon Williams, is unique in the Paci fic. Selected men are now being sent for training to the Apia school, from other territories.

IT was announced in Australian Par liament, on April 2, that “the pro posal to construct the Salamaua- Wau road is receiving active considera tion”.

FROM a business correspondent in Rabaul, dated April 4; “Things are taking a change for the better here just now. The rapid development of the timber industry is making a difference to the Territory, and we now are getting rid of some of our copra stocks —all of which helps.” New Guinea’s products now are gold, copra, timber, and cocoa, with a little coffee and rubber.

A group of Islands women on April 16 formed a Sydney auxiliary of the New Guinea Comforts Fund. Any Islands women residing in Sydney, and willing to assist in providing comforts for Islands men on active service, should get in touch with Mrs. Harold Page, on tele phone FL 1066.

How Suva was battered in the hurricane at end of February. Top picture shows a tree across Williamson Road, in front of Oceanic Private Hotel. In lower, one sees the Government offices through the wind-torn trees of the famous avenue. The two dial-faces in the clock-tower were blown out by the hurricane. (Photos by C. L. Cheng.)