Hugh Mackenzie

Special Award by United States

rE following press message from Washington, dated September 22, refers to “Hughie” Mackenzie, who was well known in Rabaul. He had served as an officer in the Australian Navy, but had retired, to grow coconuts in the Rabaul district. He was there when the Japanese came; and he was one of those who escaped by walking

along the South Coast and swimming a river or two. Subsequently, he was reported to have joined a service directed by the British Resident Commissioner in the Solomon Islands. There is no indi cation of the nature of the service refer red to in the Washington message, which reads: — “The US Secretary for the Navy Colonel Knox, on behalf of President Roosevelt, has awarded the Legion of Merit, with the degree of officer, to Lieut.-Commander H. A. Mackenzie, RAN, of Sydney, ‘for exceptionally meri torious conduct and the performance of outstanding service to the Government of the United States at Guadalcanal.’ ”

L/Bdr. G. G. Smith, formerly of Suva, Fiji, and now of the New Zealand Forces, has been reported missing.

Mr. J. T. Swanson, who was well known in Fiji as a surveyor, died in Taveuni hospital, on August 23.