Fifty Years Old

Nelson & Robertson, Ltd.

ON February 18, the Islands trading and shipping firm of Nelson and Robert son Pty., Ltd., will be 50 years old; and the managing director, Mr. Norman Nelson, and* his associates, already have been receiving congratulations upon a notable jubilee.

The firm came into existence in 1895, when Mr. Ivan Nelson and Mr. G. J.

Robertson entered formally into partner ship Mr. Robertson gave his skilled

attention to shipping, while Mr. Nelson ranged over all the South Pacific from New Guinea to Samoa, and established a remarkable connection as merchant and trader. He took a keen interest in Samoa, and was a pioneer of the cocoa industry there; and he was very closely- associated with the New Guinea copra industry 25 years ago The firm controlled a large fleet of sailing ships; but, as steam replaced sail, it disposed of much of its considerable shipping interests. and retained only an interest in the Austra lian coastal trade.

Mr. Robertson died about 1921; but Mr.

Nelson, still a famous figure in Pacific trade, remained actively at the head of his company until his death in July, 1941.

Since then, the valuable Islands connec tions established in the old days by Mr.

Robertson and Mr. Nelson have been pro tected and enlarged, despite the war, by Mr. Norman Nelson, and his well-known lieutenant, Mr. Harold Cooper. Mr. Nel son, incidentally, has given nearly three years of very hard and useful service to the Pacific Territories Association, of which he now is vice-president.

The marriage of Miss Patience Corbett of Suva to Sgt. Noel Gordon of the New Zealand Forces took place in Suva on December 20.

Rev. H. V. C. Reynolds, of the Mela nesian Mission, has returned to the Solomons after a short furlough in New Zealand.

The High Commissioner for Australia in New Zealand, Mr. Thomas D’Alton, paid a brief visit to Fiji in December. He was accompanied by his secretary.

Mr. Norman Nelson.