Mv Pollurian

Strange Prosecution In Rabaul

THERE have been some extraord inary developments in connection with the Bougainville Company, which was formed nearly two years ago by certain leading planters of Bougainville and Captain Thomas Willis Coyne, of England, with a view to running the motor vessel Pollurian in the New Guinea trade, and thus relieving the shipping short age. Captain Coyne was managing director of the Cos., and Mrs. Coyne was secretary.

After visiting Rabaul in 1950, Cap tain Coyne returned to England, and the Pollurian was sent out to Rabaul, via Sydney.

It was decided that certain goods in short supply be purchased in Eng land, and sent out in the ship and, for this purpose, £5,000 was sent to England, to Captain Coyne, by Messrs. J. M, Joyes and J. H. Ellis, who are directors of the Cos. When the ship arrived in Rabaul, in January, 1952, Captain Coyne said there was an unexpended balance of £1,415/14/11.

During 1952 there appear to have been disputes between Captain Coyne and the members of the Cos., and finally the latter complained to the police. Asa result, Captain Coyne was charged in November with stealing £1,415 from Messrs. Ellis

and Joyes. On November 29, after a three days’ hearing, the District Magistrate, Mr. J. R. Rigby, dis missed the charge on the ground that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case.

Since then other proceedings have been initiated, and indications are that the hearing of pleas affecting this Co. may be protracted.