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MONDAY - 12TH OCTOBER 1914:
At 2-33 a.m. a reply was sent to message received from Navy Office, 10th instant, regarding safety of Japanese residents, as under: -
"Komine and Japanese Residents safe and well."
The "Madang" returned from Duke York Island and the Captain reported that no trace of the ""Komet" could be found. The detachment of Infantry on board under Lieut. Cooper marched right through the principal Island, and this Officer reported that considerable trouble is being experienced with the Natives there among the plantations. He also reported that a small ketch called the "Samoa" is in hiding on the Coast of New Ireland, and the owner of this vessel desires that she be brought back to Rabaul.
The Treasure (Captain Fry) is making arrangements for pay to the amount of £4,500 (approx.) to be issued to the Troops on the 14th instant. A Treasury Paper Note is being issued, and the same will be utilised in payments to the troops, a gold reserve being kept in the Treasury.
The first issue of the Government Gazette is being edited by the Administrator and will be published on or about the 15th instant.
Up to the present nothing has been heard respecting the "Nusa".
Health of the Troops at Rabaul and Herbertshohe is excellent.