BSI Native Welfare

Discussed Colonial Office Representative at New Capital

AFTER flying visits to Tarawa and other Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony centres, and to the New Hebrides, Sir Cosmo Parkinson, who was recently in the Central Pacific as repre sentative ofc the British Colonial Office, arrived at the new Government head quarters of the BSI Government on July 7, for a four-days’ visit.

The Resident Commissioner, Mr. O. C.

Noel, and his staff had made many pre parations for this visit, at the site of the new capital on Guadalcanal, but heavy rain spoilt the parades and the out door reception. Indoor functions were well attended, and went off according to plan. During the reception native dances were performed depicting wartime events.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 8. wreaths were placed at the flag pole in memory of the fallen Americans, and again in the New Zealand cemetery in remembrance of New Zealand’s Service men who had paid the supreme sacrifice.

On the same afternoon a large party travelled, by jeeps and cars, ten miles to the Solomon Islands native cemetery, where natives lost in battle are buried.

Bishop Baddeley conducted a service here, assisted by Pastor N. A. Ferris, of the Seventh Day Adventist Misssion, and others.

Sir Cosmo Parkinson placed a wreath on one of the graves.

Both he and his secretary paid high tribute to the services rendered to the United Nations by loyal natives.

During the rest of his visit,, Sir Cosmo

discussed administration matters with officials. A full inquiry was made into the policy to be instituted for the future development of the Solomon Islanders.

SIR COSMO left BSI on July 10 to return to Fiji. On July 14 he left Fiji by plane for England, via New Zealand.