Salamaua's £32, Saved From

Japs, Goes To Red Cross

IN the years prior to the invasion of New Guinea, Mrs. R. Widdup and a team of local women organised the Salamaua Red Cross Library. When the Japs came and hurried evacuation was ordered, the library had 800 books (well read all over the Goldfields) and some £29 in the Bank of NSW.

War swallowed the books—their fate is unknown—but the bank got the money away safely to Australia.

This month Mrs. Widdup arrived in Sydney from West Australia, on her way to rejoin her husband, Mr. James Wid dup, on AWA station there. Her last act before sailing on the Duntroon was to hand over the amount (now grown to £32/4/9) to the Australian Red Cross as a gift on behalf of the former Salamaua library committee.

The Governor of New Caledonia has nominated a committee which will con sider the requests being received from French and foreigners wishing to settle in the Colony.