Death Of Mrs. Morning

Star

Letter to the Editor NEWS leached me to-day of the death of Mrs. Morning Star, m Tarawa, on August 28.

My dear, old friend, Morning Star, and his wife, were known to thousands throughout the Central Pacific. Morning Star and his family, whom I got to know well when I was supercargo in the Gilberts in 1902-1914. were a lovable Christian and happy family, and Mrs.

Morning Star will be missed by many.

It may be of interest to know how Morning Star —a Gilbertese, who was Postmaster in the Gilberts for many years—got his name. He was born in 1880, at sea, on the Mission ship “Morning Star," on her way between the Gilberts and Hawaii, and they called him after the ship. He was married in 1905, and he worked for the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Government for 25 years, retir ing in 1935. He was recalled by the Gov ernment last April to give a hand in translating English news into Gilbertese for the news-sheet regularly published now by the Government.

Mrs. Morning Star left 3 sons. 17 grand children and 9 great-grandchildren; and Morning Star says he is grateful to the British Government authorities at Tarawa, who allowed him to convey his wife’s body in the Government vessel to her own village in Abaiang for burial.

I am, etc..

Neville Chatfield.

Sydney, 10 10/47.

Mrs. V. F. Pearson, with her two children, has joined her husband. Mr.

“Vic.” Pearson, who is manager at Rabaul for Colyer, Watson (New Guinea) Ltd.

On his arrival in France, Bishop Bres son of New Caledonia, in an interview with a reporter in Lyons, praised the wartime relations between the French and Americans. He added that, while the cost of living had certainly risen since their departure, their stay had resulted in improvement in local services, particu larly sanitary and transport facilities, and hospital equipment. Thanks to them, Noumea was now more like a European city.