Canberra’S Straine[?]

Silence

About Rapopo, Tng

ON the eve of his departure fc holiday in Europe, Capt “Jimmy” Duncan came in PIM office.

“Some people have asked i was dreaming, when I said a 5 ago that the Administration taking over my plantation Rapopo,” he said. “Well, I’ve cided to show you these letters.’

First letter was dated in C berra on April 12, 1951, and signed by J. R. Halligan, Secret of the Department of Territor “I refer to my letter of Decerr 1, 1950, in connection with resui tion of Rapopo plantation for proposed Administration centre Rapopo-Kokopo area.

“It has now been decided that transfer to Rapopo of the Admi: tration centre at Rabaul will effected. It will be necessary to sume Rapopo plantation; and Administration has been reque: to contact you in this matter.”

A second letter was dated A 18, 1951, and signed by E. P. Holi secretary of the Department Lands, etc., P. Moresby; “Now that the Minister has affirmed the decision that the he quarters of the New Britain dist should be at Rapopo, it will be cessary for this Administratior acquire your property known Rapopo Plantation. In view of above it will be much apprecis if you will inform me of the lo) price you are prepared to accept Rapopo Plantation as an encumbered estate, in fee simj High officials first inspected popo in 1947. In 1949-50 a survi worked there for 18 months. T there was a pause; and then letters quoted above. Captain E can gave his price, as reques last April.

Since then, complete off silence—and not even an expls tion of the silence.

Councillor Voices Discont

P. Moresby, Mar.

THE elected member for the ] Guinea Islands and long! spokesman for the plant Mr. Don Barrett, got onto his hobby-horse in the Legisla Council and again demanded know what, if anything, nlanned for Rabaul. He descri the official shilly-shallying that gone on since the 1937 eruption Coming up-to-date, he told 1 Territories Minister Hasluck given a pledge that a decision wc

reached by the beginning of lince the war there have been rears of indecision,” he declared, that time there have been three eys of Rapopo and naval sur of the coast. Delegations have atedly sought decisions from essive Ministers. tow commercial interests and lents have begun erecting per ent buildings, while Works and sing have just spent £15,000 on • own offices and mess.” le port, he said, handled 50,000 of inward. freight a year and ;al of more than 80,000 tons, yet real wharf existed and many ss roads were impassable, le constant' delay in deciding ml’s future was hampering the er operation of the richest area ae territory. :. Barrett was supported by Mrs. h—but to no avail, le Assistant Administrator, Mr. \/l. Cleland, simply got to his and told them it was a “Corn wealth matter.” outh Pacific Post” came in with ditorial asking why money was t on an Administration and a slative Council, if such purely Bstic matters were to be de i by Canberra.

Mr. R. T. G. Pattrick, who has been Secretary of new Zealand’s Island Territories since 1947, will shortly retire. The name of the new Secretary has not yet been announced.

Returning to Madang after leave, Mr, B. Kriekenbeek left Sydney early March to resume duties as shipping and customs clerk for Burns Philp & Co. Mrs. Krienken beek followed per March Bulolo.