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[Page 184]
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leave here by the "Eastern", as he desires further service as an Army Surgeon, and his place will be filled by Major Strangman on the latter's return here from Nauru.
A few days back I received a wireless message from Mr. Balsillie, asking me to forward certain meteorological records for the information of the Commonwealth Meteorologist. I find that for a few years past instruments have been installed at the Botanic Gardens here, and fairly complete records kept by the Curator (Dr. Bredemann). I have obtained copies of these, extending back to the 1st January '12, and I am transmitting the same herewith for Mr. Hunt's information.
Captain Field Martell, A.M.C., who arrived by the "Eastern", informs me that he has brought a complete set of instruments with him, not knowing what might already be here and is prepared to keep these records in the future, and when the wireless station is satisfactorily established at Rabaul, daily observations will be transmitted by him direct to Mr. Hunt.
The establishment of wireless stations in these Islands has, I understand, already received careful consideration by Mr. Balsillie and his Staff, and Mr. MacDonald, who arrived by the "Eastern" has in the first place proceeded to Nauru to place station there in operation; he then returns here to devote his attention to re-establishing the Bita Paka Station, which was destroyed, and also a low power station at Rabaul itself. He informs me that the present site near Government House, on the hill at Namanula, will never get satisfactory results, and I have, therefore, placed at his disposal a site closer to the town, which he has selected, and I understand the removal of the existing station from Namanula to the new site will claim his immediate attention on returning from Nauru. Indeed the site is already being prepared. This matter, however, has formed the subject of a special report by Mr. MacDonald to Mr. Balsillie, and goes by the same mail as this despatch.
My attention has been drawn to a paragraph which appeared in a Sydney Newspaper ("The Sun"), dated 7th December, alleging that certain garments which were forwarded by a Red Cross Society in Australia for the use of Hospital Patients, had been purchased at the 'English Store' at Rabaul by a man of the force under my command. I immediately caused enquiries to be made into the matter, and find that the report in question has no foundation whatever in fact. The man referred to is Private R.B. Campbell, and he is writing the following letter to the newspaper to correct the false report :-
"Re your article in the "The Sun", Monday, 7th Decr., in reference to certain articles which were sold to one of the members of the Expeditionary Force; you mentioned in your letter that the articles were purchased in an English Store. As a matter of fact the articles mentioned were purchased from another member of the force privately, but whether the articles were sent from Sydney by the people mentioned to the person who sold them or not, I do not know; but when this man, whom I happened to be with at the time, discovered the names of the ladies mentioned, he came to the conclusion that they must have ben sent for the benefit of the troops, and I also came to the same conclusion. However, as you mention in your letter, the pyjamas may have gone astray, or may have been stolen while unloading, but I am not in a position to state my opinion."