Mr Buffett's Had A Gutful

The sudden resignation of the Deputy Administrator of Norfolk Island, MrC. I.

Buffett, who was born on the island, look ed like leaving the island without an ad ministrator or deputy administrator. The island has been without an administrator since August 31, 1975. Mr Buffett has been exercising the powers and carrying out the functions of administrator since then, but has not been named as Acting Ad ministrator. He had obviously had a gutful, although he did not say so in so many words. He took up his position in February with the First Assistant Secretary, Grants and Territories Division of the Department of Administrative Ser vices, when he visited the island with the Minister for Administrative Services, Senator Withers. The First Assistant Secretary agreed to take the matter up in Canberra and seek the appointment of an acting administrator and a deputy ad ministrator.

Mr Buffett asked to be considered as Administrator, pending the outcome of the Nimmo report. He did not want the posi tion, but thought it would be a “nice gesture” by the Commonwealth Govern ment to appoint a descendant of the Pit cairn Islanders to the position for the first ume since the Commonwealth took over

the island. He was subsequently informed that a recommendation to appoint him as Acting Administrator was not approved by Senator Withers. Mr Buffett then sent an urgent cable to Senator Withers saying he wished to be relieved of his commission as Deputy Administrator, and to be relieved of the powers, functions and duties of Ad ministrator from May 31.

Mr. Buffett... his place will be filled by ex-Administrator E.T. Pickerd who's returning to act as Administrator for three months.