Territories Officials In

Strange Jobs

MOST of the New Guinea and Papua public servants who, being over age, were not taken into the military forces, have been provided with some sort of departmental job in Australia.

In not more than one or two cases—if that—do the jobs carry either the status or the pay which the men had during long years in the Territories’ Services.

A few men—especially the higher offi cials—have not been provided with jobs.

Their ordinary salary ceased in Febru ary. Thev then were allowed to take whatever leave had accumulated, for which period they received their salary.

After that, salary ceased (or will cease).

They then may, if they so elect, retire from the Service, and receive the super annuation allowance commensurate with their position as it was when military rule was established. (The official date, in the case of Papua, is February 12.) The future of the officials in tempor ary jobs, who do not plan retirement, is obscure. Canberra will give them no promises. They appear to have no chance of going back to the Territories until war is over and military rule ends.

Though the Pacific Island Society’s special prize, a medical work, was for warded as usual to the Central Medical School at Suva, no award was made for 1941-42 Dr. Hoodless has decided to hold the award until the prize-giving at the end of this year.

Two Fijians, who murdered the mana ger of Kwong Ty’s branch store at Taveuni, buried his body in the sand, and stole from his safe £3OO (of which only £75 was recovered) were sentenced to death by the Criminal Court at Suva.