British Consulate in Tahiti

(A Letter to the Editor) IHE letter in the September PIM, . page 54, criticising the British msulate in Tahiti, provoked a good al of discussion.

First, who wrote it? There is not jch doubt about that among those jst interested. But the letter is riously signed “Merchantman.” A ‘rchantman, I think, is not a man, t a type of ship, used for carrying srchandise. Another name is •amp.” Owing to the nature of the ter, it might better have been ped “Man-o’-war.”

From my own experience (dating >m 1946, when I first came to Ta il and judging from conversations th others, the British Consulate vays gives polite and impartial ■vice, within its sphere, to anyone 10 calls. Australians and New alanders receive the same treat ;nt as other Britishers, even :mgh neither Australia nor New aland contributes to the upkeep d maintenance of the Consulate.

If Australia sees fit to send a ide commissioner here, that would fine, but I think I voice popular inion when I say—let the British msulate remain.

I am, etc.,

John Rolley.

peete, Oct. 20.

Four native schoolboys have gone from New Guinea to the Marist Brothers’ Teacher Training College at Bowral, New South Wales. They had been students at the Marist Brothers Teacher Training College at Kieta, Bougainville. At Bowral they will undergo an intensive train ing course to Leaving Certificate standard to qualify as fully trained teachers. Three British Solomon Islanders have completed three

years of a course at the Bowral Col lege and have reached Intermediate standard, Mr. and Mrs. K. H. Springbett and Mr. R. M. Towner, of the Over seas Telecommunications Commis sion staff at Fanning Island, are at present on furlough in Australia, Mr. N. F. Giles and Mr. C. Pegler have taken their places as relieving officers.