Are Improving

Conditions in BSI Are Improving

IN a letter from Cape Marsh, British Solomon Islands, dated January 31, a reader writes: — “Affairs down here are slowly righting themselves. Labour is still shy, but we have reason to hope that even this diffi culty will be overcome shortly. The Ad ministration is now prepared to advance

sums to assist planters in rehabilitation of their properties. And we hear on good authority that claims for war damage have been sent to London.

“If this is a fact it will be at least one step towards compensation although settlement will be slow.

“A meeting of the Advisory Council at Honiara is set for an early date. There will, no doubt, be further discussion concerning labour and training. But we are still keeping our fingers crossed!”

The death of Mr. Edward Oak occurred on February 19. in Suva. Mr. Oak was 77 years of age and prior to settling in Fiji, in 1917, had spent many years at sea in windjammers. He maintained his love for sailing ships up to the time of his death and painted many pictures of them in oils. He went to Fiji as warehouse superintendent with the Vacuum Oil Company. He retired in 1928. He is survived by his wife and a son and a daughter.

Mr. Alan Hope, manager of Coconut Products Ltd., with headquarters on Belio Island, Madang, New Guinea, reports good progress in establishing this enter prise. He was chief engineer and assist ant manager at Pondo, pre-war HQ of the Company. Mr. B. V. Williams, an electrician from Melbourne, has recently joined the staff at Belio and Mr N J Freeman, of Sydney, and previously in the Merchant Navy, has recently joined the workshops staff on the island.