PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
61
Reference :-
ALLCO. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGREŠNOT TO
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is not plentiful, planting has been delayed by unusual dry weather; with economy the supply of rice will be sufficient to feed all plantation labourers for four months.
6. Immediately on receipt of your message I took precautions to protect local shipping, and have also put a stop, for the time being, to all recruiting, as I deemed such a course not only necessary for the safety of vessels, but, as the food supplies for labour were none too plentiful, it was advisable that employers should not have more than they are in a position to feed. Just before the Tambo arrived I received a deputation of employers of labourers, requesting that they be allowed to dynamite fish if other food was not available. I refused to sanction any such course, and gave them to understand that the Explosives Regulation would be rigidly
adhered to.
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7. The means of transport within the Group are very limited. I am afraid that the Government steamer will only be able to make short trips of urgency; there is no coal available, and the vessel cannot carry enough firewood to last for a journey of more than twenty-four hours. The shortage of oil fuel for auxiliary vessels has caused many boats to lay up.
A restricted inter-island service will be maintained by sailing boats.
8. I have cancelled all engagements and will remain at headquarters unless urgently required at other places in the Protectorate. All the residents have demonstrated their loyalty and willingness to assist in every way.
His Excellency
The High Commissioner
for the Western Pacific.
I have, &c.,
F. J. BARNETT,
Acting Resident Commissioner.
Enclosure 2 in No. 105.
(Solomon Islands. Secret.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Office of the Resident' Commissioner,
Tulagi, 31st August, 1914.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Secret despatches dated 5th and 13th August, and have carefully noted the contents.
2. There are next to no facilities for carrying out any particular line of defence, but I will take every precautionary measure possible to protect life and property and for safeguarding the small coal and food supplies.
3. Immediately on receipt of your cable message I issued an order, since found to be similar to that issued in Fiji, for controlling shipping; the order has been readily responded to, and I have now a very fair control of all local shipping, large and small.
4. I have cancelled all engagements and will remain at headquarters unless anything pressing requires my immediate presence elsewhere. The projected trip to Lord Howe Islands has been postponed, the Methodist Mission being notified accordingly.
5. I have ascertained that there is ample food for all Europeans to last a considerable time, but some commodities will soon run out; nevertheless, I do not anticipate any hardships on this account or by the reason of non-arrival of oversea vessels.
6. The food available for natives will be sufficient to last four months; with economy it may last longer. I have specially requested the large holders to meet all reasonable demands, and, if occasion should arise, will exercise a strict super- vision over the distribution and see that none are left without food.
7. There is only a very limited quantity of coal in the group, the Government had none at Tulagi, the steamer making only short trips on wood fuel; there are small lots stored at Gizo and Shortland, which I am arranging to be brought here by coasters. To-day I was fortunate enough to secure from the steamer "Moonta fifty tons at 458.; this will be of great assistance. The Admiralty have eighty tons stored at Gavutu, which I am protecting to the best of my resources. Levers have sufficient on their local steamers to make a few short trips.
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8. The local police on Tulagi is represented by six natives under a Fijian sergeant; these are now on patrol duty, guarding the Treasury, offices, and stores on Tulagi. I could not withdraw more police from Malaita, as it would leave the All the Government station and white residents at the mercy of the bushmen. officials have willingly obeyed the call to act as a small defence party if wanted, and I have provisionally appointed Mr. C. C. Francis as adjutant, placing the arms and ammunition under his charge. The Legion of Frontiersmen promptly offered their assistance and are ready to obey any call to arms.
9. Should there be the sign of any danger of the enemy invading or causing trouble I have made good provision for placing all women and children in safe quarters, but sincerely trust there will be no such occasion arise.
10. I have issued orders for reports to be sent in if anything unusual occurs or is heard of, and district officers have been requested to keep a sharp look-out. In this connexion I attach a note just to hand from Mr. Hill; also it was reported that a man-of-war was sighted off the east coast of Malaita on 13th inst., travelling with great speed towards north-east. To-day a vessel's smoke was seen from Tulagi Hills between Sawo and west end of Gaudalcanal; this is right in the track of vessels going to and from Australia. The smoke was noticed to go eastwards to the south of Gaudalcanal. I have warned the master of the steamer "Moonta leaving this evening for Newcastle.
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11. I will take every advantage of any chance mail to communicate, and will be anxious to get news of any sort; we are completely cut off from the world and will gladly welcome the news that our forces have been victorious, with early peace prospects.
His Excellency
Sir E. Bickham Escott, K.C.M.G.,
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific,
Suva, Fiji.
I have, &c.,
F. J. BARNETT, Acting Resident Commissioner.
From DISTRICT OFFICER, Gizo, to F. J. BARNETT, ESQ., ACTING RESIDENT
COMMISSIONER.
Memorandum.
British Solomon Islands Protectorate, 28th August, 1914.
JUST as the ship is leaving I hear that Smithers circulated a rumour that two ships, said to be men-of-war, were sighted from Fauro by Julius Oien's man, Mason, off the coast of Choiseul. They came together, had a talk, and then separated. No dates are given, but Smithers arrived here on the night of 27th instant from the direction of Choiseul.
SIR,
(Solomons. Secret.)
R. BRODHURST HILL.
Enclosure 3 in No. 105.
Office of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific,
Suva, Fiji, 7th October, 1914.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential letter of the 22nd August, and of your Secret letter of the 31st of the same month, and to convey to you my approval and appreciation of the steps taken by you consequent on the outbreak of war with Germany.
2. I shall be glad if you will express to Messrs. Burns, Philp and Company my thanks for their action in loading the 8.5.
with provisions to the exclusion of other cargo.
Tambo
I have, &c.,
BICKHAM ESCOTT,
His Britannic Majesty's Acting Resident Commissioner,
British Solomon Islands Protectorate.
High Commissioner.
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