Mr. Berge, a resident magistrate fu Papua, four of his children and 11 natives were drowned to-day when a motor-beat capsized suddenly, in a terrific gale.
Mr. Berge and three of his: children who were in the cabin, i have not been seen since.
Mrs, Berge, assisted by some of the natives, clutched the fourth child and for four hours managed to keep afloat on a hatch cover. The waves finally wrenched the child from the mother's grasp, but the mother herself desperately maintained her hold for a further five hours and was eventually" landed. Twelve other natives also' managed to get ashore—Reuter. funds of the group which the Royal Mail Steam Packet Ca. controlled on January 1 exceeded £16,000,000. He referred to the present" un= favourable state of shipping, po 1 out that 6,000,000 tons of shin ping is laid up in the ports of the world and that freight rates are tha lowest on record.
His concluding' remarks, however, were more optimistic, Lord Kylsant foreshadowing better conditions in the future.
Subsequently he was submitted +6 some very lively questioning by, tified shareholders, but even= wally a resolution of thanks to the chairman and directors was carried amid. cheers and some cries of ivbish!" and "Rot!"—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.