New Guinea Public Service

Association

WITH a view to interesting themselves actively in matters relating to the rehabilitation and reconstruction in the Territory, a meeting of the Public Service Association of New Guinea was called for February 9, 1944. The meet ing was held in Sydney and a good repre sentation of officers residing in NSW attended: letters were received from many officers residing in other States.

To conduct the business of the Asso ciation until the return of a more nor mal state, the following provisional coun cil was elected: President, Mr. J. L. Frog gatt; vice-president, Mr. H. L Downing; hon. secretary, Mr. L. Odgers: hon. trea surer, Mr. J. C. Goad; committee, Messrs.

J. P. L. Burke. H- J. Hutchinson, A. J.

Long, W. M. Marshall, R. Melrose, C.

W. Thomas and G. T. Wells.

It was resolved, at this first meeting, to approach the Minister for External Territories regarding the rights, privi leges and future of members of the Ser vice, irrespective of whether that future lies only in New Guinea or in any com bined service that may be set up.

A high Fijian chief, Ratu Luke Raiwa lui, Tui Nakelo, died on January 31. at the age of 49. He was a great-grandson of Cakobau. and in his early 20’s went overseas with the Fiji Labour Corps in the 1914-18 war. A few years after he returned to Fiji he was appointed Buli of the large Nakelo district, in Taileva pro vince. When the present Labour Corps was being organised. Ratu Luke, an early volunteer, was granted a commission, and held this until a few months ago when ill-health compelled him to resign it. He was a man of deep loyalty and high integrity and his death is a loss to Fijian administration.

In addition to the women of the Angli can Mission who were evacuated from Papua, and who are now returning to teaching duties, two new women mission aries will join the staff in that area.

They are Mrs. Raymond Nicholls and Miss Edith Cates.

Miss A. M. Smaill, who has been teach ing for a number of years at Labasa, Fiji, has been appointed supervisor of the correspondence classes.