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[Page 185]
(6)
Certain parcels of goods were received from the Red Cross Society, and went straight into the possession of the P.M.O. at the Hospital, and have ben used exclusively for the purpose for which they were sent.
None of these articles were broached on the voyage or before unloading. It may be that a man who had received these while a Patient in the Hospital, afterwards disposed of them, but I have been unable to ascertain whether this is so. Certainly the report as to the pyjamas having been purchased in an 'English Store' in Rabaul is quite wrong, as there is no English Store in existence here, with the exception of the Government Store under the control of my Supply Officer, and at this store nothing whatever is sold to the troops, and no pyjamas whatever have at any time been stored there.
I consider the report as published a serious reflection upon the honor of those under my command, and it is also a damper on the efforts of those ladies who are doing so much at home for the comfort of the troops on service. It is to be regretted that the respectable newspapers should publish statements of this kind before they have first established their facts. I have no hesitation in saying that the accusation is entirely false.
In a previous despatch I mentioned the fact that one of the German Krupp Guns captured here had been sent to Sydney by the Troopship "Berrima". I have to advise that the second one, in a damaged condition, will be forwarded by the S.S. "Matunga" addressed to the Commandant, 3rd. Military District, in accordance with your instructions.
In my despatch fo 11th December I promised to advise you of the commercial results of the visit of S.S. "Meklong" to Bougainville on 7th instant. The total outward freight from here amounted to £114-18-2, and passages £7-1-0, making gross earnings £121-19-2, which will more than cover all expenses. But it must be remembered that the vessel also carried 250 troops both ways, and, in addition, 11 Germans and their families were brought back here. No copra was readily available for freight on the return trip, as the vessel, of course, was not expected, and to lift less than 40 tons at various Ports would have caused a delay of at least 2 days. The plantations at Bougainville are young, and not yet sufficiently forward to produce much copra, but next year considerable exports are anticipated
It is now a matter of particular urgency that the "Meklong" should proceed to the Eastern Islands, viz. Nissan, Flad, Cartaret, Mortlock, and Tasman; these places. I am advised, are in the absolute want of provisions, having been without communication for the past six months. About 80 tons of general cargo will be sent as soon as the "Meklong" returns here from Bougainville and it is expected that a load of copra to the ship's full capacity for return here will be obtained. When this trip has been accomplished, the whole of the Islands will have been well supplied, and there should be no difficulty in maintaining this condition of affairs in the future.