Propellers

More Scrap From

The Bsip

Rabaul Search for Propellers

PACIFIC Islands Salvage Co. Ltd., which has the salvage rights to the ships at the bottom of Rabaul harbour, has entered into a scrap metal contract with the BSIP Government. Under the con tract, the company has exclusive rights for three years to collect, re move and take possession of the Government’s property in certain dumps in the Protectorate.

The company is planning pre liminary surveys in the western dis tricts in the near future. It will have to make private arrangements with property holders to exercise its rights under the contract.

Much of the easy scrap in BSIP was removed and sold during the scrap boom.

The salvage operations at Rabaul are proceeding slowly. By mid-July a propeller worth £1,250 was re covered from a Japanese ship, and the value of others that were con sidered recoverable was estimated at nearly £30,000.

Of 45 worthwhile wrecks, 20 are in deep water and only 10 of these will be worked. Diver John John stone, director of operations, will

not go below 180 feet unless he is after gold. The aircraft carrier Hie Maru will probably be beyond reach.

U Governor and Mrs. Richard Barrett Lowe, of American Samoa, gave a cocktail party for 140 on

July 15 in honour of the Canadiai High Commissioner to NZ, Mr. E. H Norman, and Mrs. Norman; General Sir Leslie Hart and Lady Hart: ano three departing Government ser vants, Messrs. E. L. Davis, D. Cram and R. Greer. The first-mentioneo guests passed through on the Tofua