Pacific Islands

Society

Membership Now 179

IT was reported, at the annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Society, held in Sydney in July, that the membership had now reached 179, and there was a satisfactory bank balance.

For this good condition, members gave credit to the work as president of Major C. A. Swinboume, whose interest in the organisation had never flagged. Members learned with regret that Major Swiji bourne would not be able to continue in office, owing to ill-health. He had under gone a painful operation and, although making a satisfactory recovery, he was still under medical care.

A resolution was carried, expressing the Society’s warm thanks to Major Swin bourne for his help and interest.

The following office-bearers were elected:— President: Mr. R. W. Robson. % Council: Mrs. M. K. Beasley, Mrs. E. Marie Irvine, Messrs. N. B. Casey, T. R. Dale, H. E.

Maude, Hubert Sabben, A. E. Sturt. Hon. secretary: C. Price Conigrave. Assistant hon. secretary: Mr. Lionel Haynes.

The Society, on August 18, will enter tain the members of the South Pacific Research Council, and other persons offi cially connected with the Council’s sessions in Sydney, at a cocktail party in History House.

The Society’s September meeting will be held in History House on the evening of September 27, when Mr. Hubert Sabben will give an illustrated talk on “Reminis cences of Fiji.” Mr. Sabben spent a large part of his life in the public service of Fiji, and his memories of developments and events in that country should be very interesting.

Visitors Welcome

ANY Pacific Islands resident, or any traveller from abroad who is in terested in Islands affairs, is cordially welcomed at the monthly meeting of the Society. Visitors should get in touch with the secretary, Mr. Price Conigrave, at History House (BU1160) or with the president, Mr. Robson (BW 5037).