Rabaul's New

Copra-Shifter

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, June 30

lINCE she began work in January > last, the m.v. Pollurian has shifted 40,000 bags of copra from jugainville ports (Kessa to Buin) Rabaul, and would have shifted uch more but for time lost in the rn-round at Rabaul due to lack wharfage facilities.

Captain Coyne (owner), has not, iwever, sat and bewailed his fate, ithin three weeks his own small ips wharf will be ready for use id from then on the Pollurian ould be able to average three ps a month—fully loaded on the ,y back, and never less than three arters full on the way out. During recent call at Numa Numa the ip loaded 2,225 bags in 12 work g hours.

The master of the Pollurian, Cap in Hallam, learnt his job in Bar ;r Reef waters and later with 28, Rabaul. The Chief and cond Engineer are also Austra ns. The mate is an experienced I seaman ex-sailing ships. Buka d Carteret natives make un the

crew—“a first class boat crew”

Captain Coyne declares.

The ship herself is still in process of alteration to suit the country and the trade. When finished, she will have good accommodation for five passengers. She has a large re frigerating chamber which contains always at least one large can of fresh milk: a luxury in these parts but the Captain declares it is al most a necessity for men who are doing a hard job.

Captain Coyne was pleased with the Government’s decision to re build Rabaul. “There is not another port to equal RabauV he said.

“We must just forget about Matupi or the Mother, beyond being ready to move at a moment’s notice. My Company have spent a lot of money and propose to spend a lot more in making Rabaul the terminal for a coastal service which may one day extend over the whole of the Bis marck Archipelago.”

The Rev. A. M. Chiles, of the Presbyterian Church, who recently was stationed in the New Hebrides, was in Australia on leave recently.

He will take up an Australian appointment at the conclusion of his

furlough.

Mr, Tudor Collins, wellknown as a photographer attached to RNZN on Islands tours, but now farming at Warkworth, NZ, was visiting Tahiti in July—with camera.