The Editors' Mailbag

Here's the Answer

Re Captain Chapman

A few months ago, a reader asked, through “PIM,” if anyone could supply information about a Captain Chapman, and the ships he c(yrn manded in the South Pacific . The following reply has been kindly sent by Captain Fred K. Klebingat, of 873 22 Street, San Pedro, Cali fornia.

“Looking through my papers, I found the following in a scrap-book which had been kept by Mr. F. R.

Bowes, of Bowes and Andrews, 153 Steuart St., San Francisco: “Honolulu, May 30, 1907.—Ben jamin Franklin Chapman, long a trader in the South Pacific, died in his home in Honolulu on May 24.

He was born in New London, Ct., in 1831. He came to California in the days of the Goldrush and, for a long time, was engaged in trans portation up and down the Sacra mento.

“In 1850, he sailed to Tahiti in the schooner Odd Fellow and, for many years, continued to sail be tween San Francisco and the Islands. He sent his children to the Islands to attend school there.

“In the Seventies he went to Tahiti and established the merch andise firm of Turner & Chapman, with which he was connected for 26 years. Most of the time, though, he was in command of one of the vessels owned by the firm. These vessels included the brig Tahiti, City of Papeete, Tropic Bird, and others.”

Anyone Know?

Mr. Alan J. Burke, of 3 Valley Street, West Hobart, Tasmania, writes: “I am most. anxious to get in touch with a war-time pal of mine, and wondered if you could assist me. He was in Tulagi, Solomon Islands, prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. His name is Clifford A. Wiseman. Any information would be much appreciated.”

If anyone knows Mr. Wiseman’s address, please write directly to Mr.

Burke.

The Duke at

Norfolk Is.

Mrs. Madeleine Jones, of Norfolk Island (she formerly was Madeleine Grand, member of a well known Tahiti family), is direct, and to the point: Let us be fair! The writer of that article. “Socially-Riven NI Pleased with Duke,” in January issue PIM, himself lacks restraint and truth.

Those who wished to see or i the Duke on NI were given o opportunity at the Reception, w» was attended by between 450 to: people Elderly Islanders were g the first opportunity.

The writer suggests that “I daymakers and tourists seemed swell the ranks.” I failed too other than Island residents—uru of course, one wishes to dese members of HRH’s Staff and Hoi hold as tourists!

The sincerity of the people,,! the Duke’s delightful informs in no way made the Receptid “flop,” and the intermittent dif of rain did not dampen the peoi pleasure in the honour acco; them. Sincerity and comment restraint were the keynote ofi< day.

The NI Advisory Council pjc a resolution: “That His Ho. the Administrator, and Mrs. Non be thanked for the highly-succo; reception at Government IH and for His Honour’s co-opera in that such a splendid opportf was given the residents to His Royal Highness.”

Coral Queen

Island

In PI M’s Shipping column off tember there was reference ti Auckland schooner named Queen, sailing from that po:o 1865 to load guano at Coral O Island.

A correspondent now attention to Edwin H. Bryanr valuable reference book Am& Polynesia, which lists Coral O Island as an alternative namn Starbuck Island, also knowv various times as Volunteer, Starve, Hero, and Barren.

It was discovered by Cas Starbuck, of an English whaLl. 1823, and named by him Volun It would be interesting to kntr just what date the present finally became stuck.

The Picture Again—

From France

YOU have read the Suva j of Mrs. Ruth Kempthrl Christmas-card, and the es ence of a Christ-like face frar apparently confused Chinese p graph of a snowfield (see past of January, and page 82 o:o issue).

Now, here is a note from oo friend. Brother J. Delabarre, oo Island Mission, Papua. He < us a print of what appears i the same photograph; and hr! (Editors’ Mailbag—Continued on Pas'