New Mission Doctor For Bsi

THE medical work of the Methodist Mission in the New Georgia Group and adjacent islands of the BSI should make further advances during 1949 as a result of the arrival in the islands of X)r. G. E. Hoult, who holds degrees in medicine, surgery and also in dental surgery.

Dr. Hoult left New Zealand in Novem ber, and spent a month in Sydney with a view to making contacts at the School of Tropical Medicine.

In taking up the position of medical superintendent of the Methodist Mission in BSI, Dr, Hoult follows Dr. A. G.

Rutter, who did splendid work in the years prior to 1942. In 1944, Dr. Rutter returned to the BSI as chief medical officer of the Protectorate and acted in this capacity until his departure) for Britain early in 1948.

Dr. Hoult qualified in medicine and dentistry with the idea of missionary service. His desire was to go to the Belgian Congo, but as that was not open for him, he accepted the position of Acting Medical Superintendent of the Methodist Mission in BSI for a period of 18 months. The Methodist Mission in New Zealand had been seeking a doctor for the Solomons since 1945. It is hoped that Dr. Hoult will decide to remain there for a long period.

The slaughter of deer by American Servicemen during the war has had a considerable effect on New Caledonia’s post-war export of hides. In 1941, 81,545 deerskins were exported to Aus tralia. Against this, exports in the period October, 1946, to October, 1947, were 27,451. In the same period 1947- 48, only 18,785 hides were sent overseas.

SeCTe^ary Ur G?neml’ (he fills the highest office in the Colony next to the Cover nor) has been promoted to the rank of Governor, third class, and has left for the Oubangui-Chari Province of Central Africa. He received the warmest con gratulations of the Colony’s General Council. M. Bonnard, the Governor’s Chief Secretary carried on his duties until the arrival of the new Secretary General, M. Gaudillot, by the “Eridan.”