Transport.

Master, H.M.C.S." Nimanoa," M. L. Singleton, 420. and uniform allowance of 201.

Engineer, H.M.C.S. "Nimanoa," P. L. G. Sinclair,

3601. and uniform allowance of 201. Chief Officer, H.M.C.S. “Nimanoa," E. W. Harness, 3001. and uniform allowance of 201.

Wireless Department.

Engineer Operator in Charge, Wireless Station, Ocean Island, T. Moore, 400l. to 450l. by 251, and quarters. Operator, Wireless Station, Ocean Island, A. Cookson, 300l. to 4001. by 201, and quarters.

Lands Commission.

Lands Commissioner (Gilbert Islands), H. E. Maude, M.B.E. (seconded from District Administration), 5001. to 6001. by 251., plus consolidated travelling allowance of 751. and quarters. Lands Commissioner (Ellice Islands), D. G. Kennedy (751. consolidated travelling allowance), receives salary as Administrative Officer.

THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS

PROTECTORATE.

The British Solomon Islands Protectorate is situated between the parallels of 5° South and 12° 30" South, and the meridians of 155° and 170° of East longitude.

The Protectorate consists of a double row of mountainous islands, extending at its extremities from Bougainville Straits to Mitre Island, in the Santa Cruz Group, for a distance of 900 miles, and north and south from the Ontong Java Group to Rennell Island for a distance of 430 miles, in an area approximately 249,000 square nautical miles, of which about 11,000 square miles are land.

The native population (mainly Melanesian) is 93,415.

The Solomon Islands were first discovered in the year 1568 by Alvaro de Mendana, while on a voyage of discovery from Peru. The island first sighted they named Ysabel because it was on that Saint's day that they left Callao. In the year 1595 a second expedition under Mendana sailed from Peru, but

failed to locate the island of Guadalcanal, whereon it was intended he should form a settlement, and he arrived in the Santa Cruz Group, and landed at Graciosa Bay. The new colony proved a failure, the death of Mendana put an end to any prospect of success, and the remnants of the original party

returned to Peru.

In 1767 Captain Carteret re-discovered the Santa Cruz Group and the north-west coast line of the island

of Malaita.

In the same year de Bougainville in the frigate La Boudeuse, sailed from Monte Video on a deliberate quest of the Terra Australis which he missed, and arrived at New Guinea; in sailing back he passed through the Straits which are the present northeastern boundary of the Protectorate, the island on the right being named Bougainville after him, and the one on the left named after Choiseul, who was at the time Minister of France.

Twenty years later, and 700 miles to the southeast, la Perouse, in command of the French frigates (c)

L'Astrolabe and La Boussole, on a voyage of discovery, was wrecked at P'iou on the island of Vanikoro. His fate was unknown for 40 years.

Group, and British ships-of-war paid periodical visits. From this time, many Europeans visited the

In 1860 natives were recruited to work on plantations in Queensland and Fiji. The recruiting for Queensland ceased in 1903 and most of the natives were repatriated.

Recruiting for Fiji continued until 1910.

resident white traders gradually increased, until at Between the years 1860 and 1893 the number of the time of the Proclamation in 1893 of the British Protectorate over the Southern Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal, Savo, Malaita, San Cristoval, the New Georgia Group and its Dependencies) the number of white residents approached 50.

Group, including Utupua, Tucopia, Vanikoro, the remote islands of Cherry and Mitre, Sikaiana, and the islands of Rennell and Bellona, were added to the namely, Ysabel, Choiseul, the islands of the Bougain Protectorate, and in 1900 the Northern Islands,

In 1898 and 1899 the islands of the Santa Cruz

ville Straits, south and south-east of the main island of Bougainville, and the atoll group of Ontong Java, were transferred under convention from Germany to Great Britain.

The population of the Protectorate in 1937 was
Europeans

Native (Melanesian) Native (Polynesian) Chinese

Japanese Malays

478

The climate of the Solomon Islands, owing to the prevalence of malaria, is not healthy, but the condi tions of living have been greatly improved during recent years and the possibilities of good health during temporary residence have been enormously increased.

Generally speaking, the seasons are well defined by the trade winds. The south-east season lasts from April until November when the lowest minimum temperature is recorded, and the highest mean and maximum temperatures are, as a rule, recorded in the months from November to April which is commonly known as the north-west season.

The rainfall varies considerably from month to month and year to year, though the average rainfall, recorded at Tulagi, is approximately 120 inches a

year.

The British Solomon Islands Protectorate is administered by a Resident Commissioner (stationed in Tulagi) acting under the authority and control of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (who resides in Suva, Fiji).

There is no Legislative Council. Laws are made by the High Commissioner-in the form of King's Regulations-under powers conferred by the Pacific Order in Council, 1893.

There is an Advisory Council, consisting of the Resident Commissioner and not more than seven

members, three of whom may be officials.

The Protectorate is divided up into eight administrative areas, each under a District Officer. There is regular steam communication with Sydney, New South Wales.

The Customs Tariff consists of duties at specific or ad valorem rates on certain imports and exports and includes provisions for Empire preferences. S

District Administration.

Chief Magistrate and Legal Adviser, R. Hyne, 600l. to 7501.

First District Officer (vacant), 600l. to 700%.
District Officers, C. E. J. Wilson, W. H. Miller, L. W. S.
Wright, G. E. D. Sandars, R. J. Keegan, C. N. F.
Bengough, 500l. to 6001.

Assistant District Officer, J. K. Brownlees, 400l. to 5001.

Cadets, D. C. Horton, T. P. Kneen, A. N. A. Waddell, D. C. C. Trench, W. F. M. Clemens.

Treasury, Customs and Postal Department. Treasurer and Collector of Customs, F. E. Johnson, I.S.O., 550l. to 6507., receives also a personal allowance of 100%.

Accountant, W. V. J. Blake, 400l. to 5002. First Clerk and Boarding Officer, A. W. Dickes, 400l. to 4501.

Second Clerk and Boarding Officer, J. B. Hicks, 340l. to 400Z.

Clerk, S. G. Masterman, 340l. to 4001.

Third Clerk and Boarding Officer, G. H. C. Train, 270l. to 3401.

Storekeeper, V. J. Shearwin, 340l. to 4002.
Postmaster, F. Stock, 340l. to 400l.

Medical Department.

Senior Medical Officer, H. B. Hetherington, M.D., Toronto, C.P. & S., Ontario, 700l. to 9001. and fees. Travelling Medical Officer, N. Crichlow, M.B., Ch. B. (Glasgow), 550l. to 650l.; (2007. consolidated travelling and subsistence allowance). Sister-in-Charge Government Hospital, Tulagi, Miss M. Cleaver, 2007. and victualling allowance, and 127. uniforın allowance. Nurse, Tulagi Hospital, Miss L. D. Collins, 160%. and victualling allowance and 121. uniform allowance. Yaws and Hookworm Officer (temporary appointment), C. H. G. White, 4501.

Dispenser and Clerk, C. H. G. White,300l. to 3502., F. T. Stackpool (temporary), 300l. to 350. Native Medical Practitioners, G. Bogese, Guso Rato Piko, H. Wheatley, H. Kuper, 100%. by 51. to 150%., E. Leauli, 1001. by 51. to 1441.

Police and Prisons Department. Oficer Commanding Armed Constabulary and Superintendent of Prisons, E. N. Turner, 4501. to 6001. Sub-Inspector of Constabulary and Gaoler, J. Beveridge, 340l. to 400l.

Lands Department.

Commissioner of Lands and Crown Surveyor, S. G. C. Knibbs, 600l. to 7001. and 25l. personal allowance.

Surveyor, A. H. Wilson, 500l. to 550. Clerk, Lands and Works Department, C. E. Spencer, 2701. by 20l. to 3401.

Public Works Department.

Superintendent of Works (vacant), S. G. C. Knibbs (acting), allowance 601.

Foreman of Works, J. S. Mutch, 300l. to 3751.

Native Labour Department.

Inspector of Labour, S. G. Masterman, 340l. to 4001.

Agricultural Committee.

Entomologist (vacant), 500l. to 6001.

Wireless Department. Engineer Operator in Charge, Wireless Station, Tulagi, A. E. Osborne, 350l. to 450l., and personal allowance 407.

Wireless Operator, R. S. Taylor, 300l. to 4002. The above all receive free quarters and 50%. local allowance. Local allowance, however, is not payable to Native Medical Practitioners.

TONGA.

THE TONGAN, OR FRIENDLY ISLANDS, with an area of about 250 square miles, are situated between the 18th and 22nd degrees of south latitude. They were discovered by Tasman in 1643. Most of the islands are of coral formation, but some are volcanic, notably Tofua, Kao, and Niuafoou (Good Hope Island). The natives belong to the Polynesian race, and are closely allied to the natives of New Zealand and Samoa. The islands are very rich in coconuts; and forms the principal export. There is copra monthly communication by steamer with Auckland. During the dry season, i.e., from April to December, steamers call at regular intervals for copra freights. Census of Population, April, 1937 :—

Of the rest of the imports during 1937 the United Kingdom supplied 15:51 per cent., New Zealand 22 per cent., Australia 26-77 per cent. and other British possessions 9.75 per cent.

The climate may be considered a healthy one. The thermometer ranges between 53 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are seven churches in Tonga, viz., the Wesleyan Free Church of Tonga, with about 18,053 adherents; the Free Church of Tonga, and the Church of Tonga, with about 9,029; the Roman Catholic Mission, with about 4,230; the Church of England, 479; the Church of Latter Day Saints, 641; and the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, with about 256 adherents.

The Wesleyan Mission was first founded in Tonga in the year 1826, and a few years later the chiefs and people embraced Christianity and became members of the Church. The control and management of the Mission in Tonga were entrusted about the year 1857 to the Australasian Conference and continued until the year 1885, when King George Tubou I, after trying unsuccessfully to obtain local autonomy for the Church in Tonga, seceded, with a large majority of his chiefs and people and, with the assistance of the Rev. Shirley Baker, established the Wesleyan Free Church of Tonga as a separate and independent body though retaining the same doctrines, discipline, and form of worship as the Wesleyan Church. In January, 1887, an attempt was made by some escaped native convicts on the life of Mr. Shirley Baker, the Premier. The attempt was made the pretext for increased persecution of the "Fakaogos," or members of the Wesleyan Mission Church. About 100, whom no ill-usage could induce to abandon the Mission Church, were ordered to be deported to Pylstart Island, a barren islet south of Tonga, but they were finally allowed to go to Fiji. Shortly after an inquiry was made into the causes of the disturbances by Sir Charles Mitchell. At this inquiry the allegation that the attempt on Mr. Baker's life was due to a "Fakaogo" conspiracy was abandoned, and a letter written by Mr. Baker, purporting to be signed by the king, was addressed to Sir Charles Mitchell, promising an amnesty to political prisoners and freedom of worship. The services in the Mission Church at once recommenced. S 2

Public Works Department.

Superintendent of Public Works and Surveys, H. Tonnet, Rs. 5,500 (with Rs. 500 for quarters).

Victoria Town Board.

Chairman, Armand Sauvage.

Foreign Consuls.

putting forth her efforts for the suppression of the over-sea traffic in slaves. The territory received additions from time to time by various concessions from the native chiefs. Thus, on the 10th July, 1807, "King" Farima and "King' Tom ceded all the land they possessed in the peninsula of Sierra Leone lying to the westward of the settlement and on the 1st January, 1808,

France, H. de Caila (Consular Agent).
Norway, P. V. Hunt (Honorary Vice-Consul).

SIERRA LEONE.

Situation and Area.

The territory known as the Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone is an area of some 27,925 square miles, roughly circular in shape, lying between 6° 55′′ and 10 of N. lat., and 10° 16′′ and 13' 18" of W. long. The sea coast, 210 miles in length, extends from Kiragba at 9° 2" on the border of French Guinea, to the Mano River at lat. 6° 55" N. on the border of the Republic of Liberia.

The Colony portion of this area, i.e. the territories acquired by the Crown by Treaty of Cession or otherwise consists of the following the Sierra Leone Peninsula in which is situated Freetown (the seat of Government), Sherbro Island, the Tasso, Banana, Turtle. Plantain and York Islands and other small islets, the Bake Loke, Mafoki and part of the Bure Chiefdoms in the Northern Province, and the Bumpe, Kagboro- | Bagru, Mano Bagru, Timdel, Bendu, Cha, Nonkoba Bullom, Messi Krim, and part of the Mano Sa Krim Chiefdoms in the Southern Province. The Crown has also acquired a strip of land, varying in depth from a quarter of a mile to one mile throughout the whole coast line not included in the areas specified above. Of these areas the Peninsula of Sierra Leone, Tasso Island, Banana Islands, York Island, and the township of Bonthe in Sherbro Island, only, are administered as strictly Colony; the other areas are administered as part of the Protectorate.

History.

The Colony of Sierra Leone originated in the sale and cession of a portion of land by "King Nembana and his subordinate chiefs to Captain John Taylor, of His Britannic Majesty's brig "Miro," on behalf of the "free community of settlers, their heirs, and successors, lately arrived from England, and under the protection of the British Government." This portion of land was described in the treaty as extending from the bay commonly called Frenchman's Bay, but of which the name was changed to St. George's Bay, coastwise up the River Sierra Leone to Gambia Island, and southerly or inland from the riverside 20 miles. The treaty is dated 22nd August, 1788. The main purpose of the Colony in its inception, was to secure a home on the African Continent for a number of natives of Africa, and some others, who from various circumstances had been separated from the countries of their origin, and were destitute in and about London. Subsequently

the settlement was used for Africans rescued from sive ships during the period when England was

1861 Bai Conteh, "King" of Kwaia, with his chiefs, ceded a portion of the Kwaia country abutting on the Colony of Sierra Leone, measur ing 10 miles in width and 16 miles in length from the River Sierra Leone to the River Ribbi, and particularly described as to its inland boundary in the Treaty of Cession. In 1825 the Governor of Sierra Leone made a treaty of cession with various Chiefs in, and in the neighbourhood of, Sherbro Island, for the purpose of adding these countries to the territories of the Colony. The treaty, not immediately ratified by the Crown, was revived by a new agreement made in 1882. Other Treaties of Cession were made from time to time.

On August 21st, 1896, a Proclamation was issued declaring a Protectorate over the Hinterland of Sierra Leone, and Ordinances were passed provid ing for the administration of this Protectorate, which, by Order-in-Council is divided into two Provinces as follows:

Northern Province-Districts.-Port Loko, Bombali, Karene, Koinadugu and Tonkolili. Southern Province - Districts. Moyamba, Kono, Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Bonthe and Pujehun.

General Description.

The peninsula of Sierra Leone is about 25 miles in length, and from 10 to 12 miles in breadth at its widest part. It is one of the few points on the African coast where there is high land near the sea. It is formed by a range of igneous mountains, running parallel to the sea fromN.N.W. to S.S. E., the summits of which, in the Picket Hill, Sugar Loaf and Leicester Mountains, rise in conical form to a height of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. The mountains are composed principally of norite, and are thickly wooded. They are intersected by ravines and small valleys, and there are considerable tracts of level ground, especially on the eastern side of the peninsula, where it sinks to the mainland.

The configuration of the Protectorate varies much in different localities. The coastal strip is flat and low-lying and the river estuaries, below high tide mark, are bounded by extensive mangrove swamps. The western and southern part of the Protectorate consists of rolling wooded country, broken in places by ranges of hills rising to 1,000 ft. or more. The ground rises to the north and east to form an upland plateau having a general elevation of about 1,500 ft. The Sula and Kangari hills rise to nearly 3,000 ft., while to the east, near the French Guinea frontier, Bintumane Peak and the summits of the Tingi range rise to above 6,000 ft. Unlike many regions on the West Coast of Africa the country is well watered by rivers and streams. The principal rivers of Sierra Leone which empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean are the Great and Little Scarcies, the Rokel or Seli (or Sierra Leone river), the Jong or Taia, the Ribbi, the Bum or Sewa, the Moa and the Mano, most of which are navigable by small craft for several miles.