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[Page 163]
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It has been my study ever since I have been here to restore normal conditions of trade between Rabaul and the numerous outlying Stations. Many of the latter were in sore straits in the matter of food supplies, owing to interruption of regular Steamer service since War was declared.
This trouble has now been overcome and tension relieved by the arrival of Burns, Philp and Coy's Steamers "Moresby", "Matunga" and "Morinda". Although the Merchants here purchased shipments at Rabaul, the difficulty they had still to face was that of distribution, as all the Steamers previously engaged in the inter-island service had been captured as prizes and were lying in the harbour here. I therefore decided to place crews on board and put these vessels into commission, coaling them from the supplies seized at the German Navy Depot at Matupi Is., and utilize them in the inter-island service. Cargoes were carried for the merchants to various Stations, including Frederick Wilhelmshafen, New Ireland, The Admiraltys, The Hermits, and Bougainville, as well as return shipments of copra at a scale of freights which has paid handsomely.
The earnings of the different expeditions were as follows :-
S.S. "Meklong" - £675-19-11
S.S. "Siar" - 356-12-9
S.S. "Samoa" - 360-0-0
S.S. "Komet" - 20-0-0
£1412-12-8
Deduct expenses - 547-9-0
Profit - £865-2-10
The places which have now been satisfactorily occupied and flag hoisted by the forces under my command are :-
New Britain - Rabaul
- Herbertshohe
New Ireland - Kaewieng
- Namatanai
- Muliama.
Kaiser Wilhelmsland - Frederick Wilhelmshafen
New Hanover.
Bougainville - Kieta.
- Buka.
Admiraltys Group - Komuli-St.Andrews Group
- Lorengou
- Nares Hafen.
Hermits Group - Maron.
Duke of York Group - Mioko.
Nauru.