NR Co. Returns

To Rabaul Memories of Ivan Nelson

THE old-established firm of Nel son & Robertson Ltd., well known Sydney merchants, are about to show their shingle again in Rabaul. A building of bungalow type, which will provide an office and a residence for a local man ager, is now being built on the site of the old Rabaul Hotel (owned for many years by Nelson & Robertson Ltd.); and Mr. Allen Lambert, lately manager of the firm’s Brisbane branch, goes to Rabaul this month to take charge there.

The early history of Nelson & Robertson is the history of Mr. Ivan Nelson—a big, energetic man with many interests on the sea, who was prominent in the Islands trade more than 60 years age. About 58 years ago, Ivan Nelson entered into partnership with Mr. Robertson also a shipping man. The partner ship ended after 12 years, but Mr.

Nelson carried on under the firm name and established a fine busi ness.

Messrs. Nelson & Robertson were trading in Rabaul in the German times, long before World War I.

It was then that they acquired land rights. They had a branch there, mana ser, in 1914, when World War I came and the Aus tralians occupied the Territory. The firm then acted for the Australian Government in supervising German stores and other property; but, when the Mandate Government took charge, it withdrew from trading and, from then until after World War 11, it had the Hotel Rabaul a s its only interest in that area.

The hotel, of course, was completely wiped out, with all other property, durmg the Japanese occupation.

The Co., after World War 11, made no effort to re-establish the hotel.

Mr. Norman Nelson (who took charge of the Co. as Managing Director after the death of his w i 6 J> Ivan Nelson, prior to World War II) visited Rabaul in July, and made the final arrange ments for re-opening there.

In 1955, the Co. will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the estab lishment of Nelson & Robertson. At about the same time young Ivan Nelson—son of Norman and grand son of the founder—will have finished school, and will enter the firm.

J A daughter (Margaret Jane) was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ian Cottea, at Brisbane, Queensland, on August 25. Mrs. Cottee was, before her marriage, Miss Elizabeth Exon, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Exon, of Suva, Fiji.