Headquarters

G. and E. Colony’s Headquarters

IT appears that, after apparently end less delays, a decision has been reached, by the governing authority in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, to build the new headquarters of the Administration on Bonriki Islet, on Tarawa atoll.

Before the war, administration head quarters were on Ocean Island, and there were district headquarters on Betio Islet, in Tarawa. The Government establish ment on Ocean Island was destroyed by the Japs, and all the buildings and most of the trees on Betio were swept away in the terrible Battle of Tarawa.

Administrative headquarters were placed on Betio, and on the adjoining islet of Bairiki, when the archipelago was recovered from the Japs, but the ar rangements made were only temporary.

It was decided that there should be no return to Ocean Island; and that Betio, or Bairiki, was too small to carry the whole establishment.

Endless arguments ensued while of ficials examined other atolls and dis cussed building materials and plans. A decision to put the establishment on Abemama atoll, southward of Tarawa, was reached, and subsequently abandoned.

It as then agreed to remain at Tarawa; but no one could decide upon the best type of building material.

Finally, it has been decided to place the establishment upon Bonriki where, it is said, conditions are good, and there is room for the Government buildings, a new hospital, a radio department, a large school, etc. It is stated that cement blocks will be largely used in the con struction.

Bonriki has one serious disadvantage.

It is about 7 miles away from Betio, in the shallower section of the lagoon, and only small ships can anchor there. Larger ships, which come three or four times a year to Tarawa, will have to pick up the atoll’s only product, copra, as formerly, at Betio.

The G & E Colony’s medical depart ment, many months ago, became weary of the long delay and finally established its hospital at Abaokoro Islet, on the western side of Tarawa atoll —said to be a very suitable location. The establish ment, however, will now move to Bonriki.

In 1949, Salialevu retained its record as the wettest place in Fiji. The total rain fall for the year was 312.44 inches, which was nearly 99 inches above the average and over 33 inches above the previous record for a whole year. This record had remained unbroken since 1914.

Matua Passengers

Among passengers who arrived hi Suva, Fiji, from NZ on the Matua on February 11, were (left to right): Mr. and Mrs.

G. Dearnley—Mr. Dearnley is anew master at Queen Victoria School, Fiji. Miss V. Eyre, who had spent several months holiday in NZ. Mr. and Mrs. A. C. A. Bryant who have just left the UK—Mr. Bryant will join the WPHC staff. Mr. R.

Genge, seen greeting his young daughter—he was manager of the Suva yacht crew at the Empire Games. Mr. V. Irwin, of Emperor Goldmining Cos., Fiji, returned from leave in NZ.

Mr. A. G. Reay, who also has been on NZ leave. Mrs. E. A.

Davis who has been visiting a daughter in the Dominion.

Mrs. J. Brown and her daughter—they have been in New Zealand for the past year where Miss Brown has been study ing stenography.