The Administrator Of

Nauru

IT appears that the Australian Government has no intention at present of filling the position of Administrator of the Trustees Territory of Nauru, which became; vacant in 1952 through the retire ment of Mr. Richards.

When Mr, Richards departed, Mr..

J. K. Lawrence, a Commonwealthi public servant, was in Nauru en gaged on some special task con nected with the Territory’s ac counts; and, as he knew a good deal! about the official organisation there,, and it was desirable, in view of aj pending Trusteeship Council delega tion visit, that the head positionj be filled, Mr. Lawrence was ap pointed Acting Administrator.

Subsequently, Mr. Lawrence’s; term was extended to June 30, 1954..

It is not known whether he now is; Administrator or Acting Adminis trator—no official announcement; has been made by the Minister.

Mr. Lawrence arrived in Sydney 1 at the end of December, from: Nauru. Mr. K. A. Read, Official.

Secretary, is acting as Administrator ■ in his absence.

Assistant Administrator, P-NG

ALTHOUGH, in response to an. advertisement, a large number ■ of applications for the post of : Assistant Administrator in Papua- New Guinea has been received by ■ the Australian Department of Ter ritories, an early appointment is i not very likely. The present Administrator, Brigadier Cleland, , is heavily over-worked, and in need , of assistance; but, in the opinion . of those considered most competent • to judge, the calibre of the appli cants for the position of Assistant ■ Administrator is not what was ex pected or desired.