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[Page 102]
23rd December 1914.
My Dear Corben;
Thank you very much for all the trouble you have taken in regard to the case sent by the "Una", which, after a long passage via Frederick Wilhelmshafen, arrived here a few days ago. Included in the parcel were the following:-
500 Cigarettes, Virg. Edingurgh 6/- - £1-10-0
500 Egyptian Sadoc, 10/6d - 2-12-6
500 Cheroots, Med. 22/6d - 5-12-6
1 Case V.O.L. Whisky, 3s/- - 3-0-0
Total:- £12-15-0
It appears from the above that the Stores has charged the full Sydney price, instead of supplying out of bond. Would you mind interviewing the Manager of the Civil Service Stores and point this out to him, as I think if he made representations to the Customs Authorities that the articles were supplied for me here while on active service, he would receive rebate of the duty which the Civil Service Stores has paid to the Government on the same, as I may as well have the benefit as the Government of Australia.
A few weeks ago I had hopes of returning to Australia by the early part of February, as I was under the impression that Colonel Pethebridge, who was appointed Australian Commisioner for the Pacific Islands North of the Equator, would be coming here about that time to relieve me. However, this is not so, and I am not to be interfered with, and as far as I can see now I shall probably continue on at Rabaul until the end of the War, unless some other development takes place in the meantime.
I was anxious to get back to Australia, as I had offered my services for Europe, or elsewhere, but I fear, now that the big lot of troops has gone, that my high rank would prevent the possibility of my hopes being realized, as I think it likely that any further troops sent from Australia will be in the shape of small drafts to make up for wasteage, and, of course, these would be commanded by Junior or Company Officers. So that if I went back to Australia I should probably be engaged at garrison military work, and, under the circumstances, it is as well I should remain here.
All the heavy work in connection with the occupation of these Islands has now been carried out. I have my garrisons practically everywhere, and am engaged almost exclusively on administration work, and it would be pretty hard on me now if, after having done the lion's share of the work, someone else were to step in and reap the fruits of same. It would be far better that I should