News From Santo

By Vernon Wheatley

SHIPPING: Mr. Reece Discombe was the successful tenderer for the wreck of the auxiliary ketch Koro which re cently came to grief near Vila. The vessel lies bow-down on an under-water bank about five fathoms under. The stem is considerably closer to the sur face.

Mr. Discombe, after several exasper ating attempts, has managed to assemble most of the necessary salvage equipment on board the MV Paama, on which ship he plans to carry out operations.

His plan is to try to raise the ship by means of eight submerged pon toons, four ranged along each side of the ship and attached pontoon to pontoon by means of wire strops passing under the vessel. The water will be pumped out and air forced into the pontoons, the bouyancy thus provided raising the ship.

Unconfirmed reports reaching here are to the effect that he has already raised the vessel.

The auxiliary ketch Speedwell, owned by M. Graziani, recently sank in the Banks Islands. Speedwell had those beautiful lines characteristic of older vessels and originally came from Hobart, Tasmania.

Cocktails For One: Mr. Bill Duff,

popular skipper of a cargo launch here in Santo recently decided to take a drink.

Darkness —and Fate—led his hand to a bottle of chemical intended to remove stains from clothing. He took a long drink and thus gave the local Doctor an opportunity to display his virtuosity on the stomach pump. The entire tedious affair was viewed with some dimness by Mr, Duff who has now recovered.

AIRCRAFT: The new flying-boat moor ings recently laid at Santo are not very satisfactory. Currents tend to turn the aircraft round continually, thus unduly straining the cable. The mooring is also too close inshore, it is reported. Mean while, the old moorings are still being used. It is difficult to choose a suitable all-weather mooring that is reasonably handy. An ideal position would be across the Segond Channel opposite the Condo minium buildings, but this would entail a launch trip across the Channel from the aircraft to the Condominium jetty and then a transfer to motor transport.

ACCURACY; In the foregoing para graph it will be noted that I have given the Segond Channel its correct name.

Many people call it a “canal.” A canal is an artificial waterway. The stretch of water referred to is definitely and obviously natural, and therefore is a channel. Just to keep the record straight.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Stevens, long a resident of this Group. Suffering from a serious internal complaint, little hope was held for his recovery. He confounded everybody by making a re markable recovery and is now en route to Noumea via Vila. Mr. Stevens hopes to add a few more years to the eighty he has already enjoyed and many people wish him well.

VISITORS: Mr. Rowe of a well-known Sydney firm passed through the Group on a business visit which also embraced the 8.5.1. Dr. T. E. Gibson and his dental mechanic, both of Sydney, are tarrying here to carry out dental work which was urgently needed. The Doctor reported a busy time in Vila and he is well booked out here.

Mr. R. d. Blandy, British Resident Commissioner for the Group, recently Sgrtf d , Santo on the MV Southern Cross While berthed at Pier 3, Mr. Blandy re ceived visitors on board. Pier 3is the most used pier because it is the least

wrecked of the five piers originally con structed by the American Forces during the late war. Little or no maintenance has been done to the piers since those days and in a couple of instances the name “pier” is purely a courtesy title.

DEPARTING: Mr. Don Barrie left for Brisbane recently after severing his con nections with BP’s for health reasons. He once lived in New Guinea for some time, but now hopes to re-enter the Govern ment service.

PROGRESS: Fung Kwan Chee’s new store is one which many storekeepers

envy. Featuring plenty of glass show cases and counters, the shop presents a neat and attractive appearance: Its owner, seven stone of suppressed energy, worked mightily in the creation of the new store.

Burns Philp (NH) Ltd., also plan a new store adjacent to their present build ing and also two or three additional staff houses.

CONDOMINIUM: It is rumoured that a moderate sum has been earmarked to carry out urgent local pier repairs. The piers, relics of the American occupation

are in a bad state, as, being nobody’s baby, they were left to deteriorate. They have been temporarily repaired with matting strips.

Departure Deferred: Approxi

mately seventeen years ago, M. Louis Page came to the Condominium on loan from the French Colonial Service in Noumea.

His term of transfer was for three years.

Fourteen years overdue, M. Page was over joyed to learn that he will return to New Caledonia. He and Madame Page expect to make the move early in 1951.

PERSONAL; Madame Page recently re turned from a fortnight’s visit to Noumea where she attended the Confirmation ol her children who are being educated ir New Caledonia.

M. Roger and Madame Eyssartier, ac companied by Michel, will shortly be re turning to Noumea after 18 months in th( Group. A shipwright, M. Eyssartier ir conjunction with M. Gubbay, carried oul extensive repairs and alterations to a ves sel owned by M. Andre Naturel, well known in the Group as a planter anc trader. Mr. and Mrs. George Hager plar to leave soon for a month’s holiday ir Sydney. Mrs. Les. Fox will leave shortl; also, but her stay will be considerabl; longer.

Mr. Lew O’Shea is planning to spem Xmas in NZ. He originally came to th( Group in the converted Fairmile launcl Wailana from NZ. Alter activities in Ne\ Caledonia and the New Hebrides, th< launch visited Santo and was ultimatel: purchased by M. Andre Naturel who in stalled twin Diesel motors. The Wailam is the smartest looking vessel in thes< waters and her white hull and super structure are pleasing to the eye.

Rumour Department; It I

rumoured that French interests have pur chased the NZ vessel Melva. Melva i owned by the Union Manufacturing an Exporting Co. and is a sister ship to th Avon and Rosalie. A wooden ship, I ar told, she is powered by Hercules motor and has a capacity of about 300 tons, Th price is said to be around £NZI6,OOO.