Mv Pollurian

Bougainville Interests to Take Over

THERE have been rapid moves in the dispute among members of the Bougainville Company, formed a couple of years ago to acquire and run the motorship Pollurian in the Bismarck Archi pelago end of the New Guinea Ter ritory.

Some of the Directors of the Co., after various negotiations with Cap tain Tom Coyne, managing director, removed him from his position late in 1952 and complained to the police, and he was charged with the* Improper use of funos—a Charge which he strongly resisted. He was committed for trial, and the case was to have been heard in Feb ruary or March.

In March, however, the Crown Law Department filed a Nolle Prosequi, and the case was struck out. By now, Captain Coyne had issued writs against Messrs. Joyes and Ellis, Bougainville planters, claiming damages for malicious pro secution; the latter had taken further proceedings against Coyne, demanding an accounting of cer tain funds. It was a complicated situation. The majority of the shares in the Co. appear to be held by the previous owners of the Pollurian, Coastal Freighters Ltd., of England.

A message from Rabaul on April 13 reported that it now has been arranged that the Bougainville in terests will acquire Coastal Freight ers’ interest in the ship.

This, presumably, means that the various claims have been settled, that Captain Coyne and the Eng lish interests have sold out, and that the Bougainville planters will con trol the Co. and run the ship.

In Port Vila, New Hebrides, on March 10, the wedding took place of two well known young people—Miss R. Habulot was married to Mr. R. Valett. Mr. Valett is a popular footballer in Vila.