Mr. H. A. Markham

, of Segi, Marovo Lagoon, BSI, one of the oldest European residents in the Protec torate, has been an inmate of a Sydney hospital for the past six weeks. His

condition for a time was very serious, but happily a marked improvement has now taken place; and, although a second surgical operation may be necessary, it is considered that he will soon be on the way to convalescence.

Looting In The Solomons

Mr. Markham’s concern was aroused recently by the receipt of information that his bungalow at Marovo Lagoon had been looted and the contents stolen or destroyed; in addition to which, his two launches were taken and piled on the reefs. It is suspected that the culprits are natives of Marovo Lagoon, most of whom have reason to be grateful to Mr.

Markham for acts of kindness and friend ship over many years.

Reports indicate that a good deal of looting and destruction have taken place throughout the Solomons.

Monsieur Geslin, of Vila, New Hebrides, has been appointed to the post of French Judge of the Condominium Mixed Tribunal.

Mr. H. A. Markham, of BSI (right), with the famous wild life film-photographer, Mr. Martin Johnson and Mrs. Osa Johnson. This photo graph was taken in Sydney 25 years ago, shortly after the trio had returned to Australia from Ontong Java (Lord Howe Group, BSI), where Mr. Markham had a trading station prior to 1921, when he settled at Marovo. Mr. Johnson, who later made films in the New Hebrides and other Pacific Islands, was killed about five years ago in a plane crash in USA. Osa Johnson’s colourful autobiography, “I Married Adventure”, dealing with her experiences in Africa, the South Seas and elsewhere, was one of last year’s best-sellers.