War Damage In

N. Guinea

Property of Lucky Morobe Owners is “Scorched"

SIX weeks have passed since the chair man and other members of the Australian War Damage Commission returned from New Guinea, after an inspection of the Bulolo Valley and some parts of the North Coast.

We have applied to the Commission for a statement which might give to the patient and long-suffering Territorians some indication of the conclusions reached by the tourists, more especially in rela tion to the reinstatement of civilians on the goldfields; but we are informed that investigations are not yet complete.

The chairman (Mr. Coles) told news papers on July 4 that the “scorched earth” policy had been applied to the whole of the Wau and Bulolo areas (which appar ently means that owners of all damaged property there will get compensation); but, while losses had been less than he had anticipated, it would take a consider able time to restore equipment. Township properties in Madang and elsewhere on the North Coast were a total loss.

The Commission appears to have reported to the Federal Treasurer (Mr.

Chifley) concerning “the reinstatement of civilians.”

The first wedding to take place in the Convent Chapel at Vatukoula, Fiji, was performed by Rev. Father Verlingue, on June 24, when Miss Peggy Florence Whittle, second daughter of Mr. J.

Whittle, of Loloma, was married to Wal ter John Mayger, of Perth, Western Australia.

Mr. Minchin Rudd, well known before his retirement as the assistant manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in Auckland, NZ, and formerly manager in Suva, Fiji, died in Auckland in July.

Armstrong, in “The Argus," Melbourne, indicates an easy and timely change in the name of the beach-head.