WAR IN PACIFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24368, 2 September 1942, Page 4

WAR IN PACIFIC

GARUTU ISLAND SOLOMONS HEADQUARTERS BY H. TREVOtt FAIR BROTHER One of the six Solomon Islands occupied and strongly held by the Americans, Garutu, in Tulagi Harbour, is owned by Levers Pacific Plantations, Limited/ and before the Japanese occupation was the firm's headquarters for the whole group. Half of the 10acre island is level, the centre being a steep hill about 100 ft. high on top of which is a rainfed concrete reservoir which supplies buildings and shipping. About eight bungalows, a largo store, well-equipped engineering shop, office buildings, a large concrete wharf, boatbuilding sheds, accommodation for several hundred native labourers, slipways and electric lighting are included in the island's amenities. The firm's motorship Kurimirau, of about 200 tons, three schooners, and numerous launches were probably well out of tho way before the invaders came. Valuable Hills A causeway led from Garutu to a smaller island of perhaps five acres, also with a bill in the middle. The flat foreshore of this island had an excellent native hospital and further buildings for natives on their way to Levers' numerous plantations or being repatriated. Before the establishment of the protectorate, Garutu. one of the oldest trading stations in the Solomons, was tho headquarters for recruiters and traders. That it was already more or less established as commercial headquarters for the Group was the main reason for its purchase by Levers from tho original owner, Mr. Nelson, and also a contributing reason for the decision of the first Resident Commissioner of the Solomon Islands, Mr Woodford, to make his capital at Tulagi. Tho hills of these two islands, while i never used by the protectorate govern- j ment for defence purposes, would, in the hands of the Japanese, make excellent strong points. No doubt our American friends will know what to do with them. Important Airfield The names mentioned in the news indicate rather that as far as the Florida group is concerned, the Marines have occupied it pretty thoroughly and only mopping-up operations in the jungle remain to bo completed at leisure —until the next Japanese attempt to get this stronghold back. The capture of tho airfield on Guadalcanal- must be very cheerful news, especially for Australians. South of Guadalcanal- suitable areas for landbased planes hardly exist. The coral islands are too small and tho volcanic islands are too rugged. Guadalcanalwould have been a wonderful help to the Nipponese and will be very helpful to the United Nations as they turn to drive back the Japanese from New Guinea and the Indies —back to "Japan for the Jaoanese." ESTATE OF £32,226 WILL TO BE CONTESTED CLAIMS BY WIDOW AND SONS SYDNEY, Aug. 28 ! The widow of Mr. Eliot Warburton, retired merchant, formerly of Pymble. and his two sons are opposing probate of his will, by which he disposed of an estate sworn for probate at £32,226. By his will, Mr. Warburton left the greater part of his estate to the Sydney, Prince Alfred, North Shore, and Children's hospitals, and to the Home for Incurables (Ryde). The will is now the subject of a suit before Mr. Justice Nicholas, probate being resisted by Mrs. Warburton, and his sons, Mr. M. E. Warburton, barrister-at-law, and Dr. Colin Warburton, of Rockdale. Mr. Warburton excluded his sons from any benefit under his will, and directed that his widow should "get nothing from his estate other than the amount sho shall legally be entitled to by law." "Ho left about £1770 to three nieces. £IOOO to each of two nephews, £IOOO to his brother, and the balance of his estate, after the widow's claim had been established, to tho hospitals. The will is being contested on the ground of testamentary incapacity. Considerable medical evidence is to be called, and it is expected that the hearing may extend over a fortnight. MENINGITIS EPIDEMIC NEW SOUTH WALES RECORD SYDNEY, Aug. 28 Meningitis in New South Wales has assumed record proportions, and there are no signs that it is abating. The deputy Director-General of _ Public Health, Dr. Wallace, made this statement in Sydney. He added that 538 cases had been reported in the State since the year began, including 65 deaths. Not previously had there been such an epidemic of meningitis. STANDARDS RELAXED UNITED STATES ARMY LOS ANGELES, Jnly 27 United States Army physical standards have been relaxed to clear the path for drafting for limited duty some of the estimated 1,673,000 men in Class 1-B. The War Department has begun calling individuals with minor physical defects. These men will be given special assignments, thus releasing for combat forces many able-bodied men. The changed regulations will permit induction of men with poor eyesight and hearing, missing fingers or toes, defective teeth and "moderate" deI fortuities.