Death Of Mr. James

Ballantyne

MR. JAMES BALLANTYNE, of Samarai, Papua, passed away at Cairns on October 3. Although he had retired several years ago, he could not keep away from his ruling passion, ships, and every day he was at his son’s shipbuilding yard, smoking and yarning with old friends, and admiring the lines of ships taking shape under his son’s capable hands. In the yard, he collapsed and died suddenly.

He had, a few weeks previously, celebrated a joyous reunion with his daughter, Mrs.

George Hanson, who had just returned after eight years in Europe.

Mr. Ballantyne was liked and respected by the old-timers —the miners, schooner men, planters, recruiters and traders. His skill and his purse were unfailingly at the service of the unfortunate. He lived more than 40 years in Papua; built, owned and operated two slips and ship building yards at Samarai, and pioneered the old family home, Konabirubiru Plan tation. He served his apprenticeship in the world-famous shipyards of Camper and Nicholson, Portsmouth, England.

Miss Nancy Kearsley, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kearsley, of Suva, Fiji, was married at the Pro- Cathedral, Suva, on September 1, to Cap tain John S. Thomson, MBE, of Glas gow. The young couple left Suva in Sep tember to spend six months’ leave in Britain.