Senior Medical Officer repeated to me his telegram to you regarding human remains addressed to Suva on "Nimanoa". I am informing him of position and there is no need for you to take further action.

Resident.

Confidential.

Acting Senior Medical Officer has taken objection to presence on Government vessel of human remains consigned to Suva.

Circumstances indicate that these are those referred to in your correspondence ending with your telegram No. 500, 1940, Confidential.

Acting Senior Medical Officer appears to be acting in unorthodox fashion and is detaining all ships calling at Tarawa (at present four) on health grounds on account of this incident. I am enquiring as to authority under which he presumes to do so but in the meantime should be grateful for definite instructions from Your Excellency to pass on to him.

Resident.

For your information remains taken from "Nimanoa" part skeleton elderly male of Polynesian race and that indications are that bones have been in sheltered position for upwards of 20 years and possibly much longer.

Isaac.

Your confidential telegram 11th February. Many thanks — rather an anticlimax! Personal should be delighted if you keep box but matter has been mentioned in private letter to High Commissioner who is interested in timber used and may ask to see it. It would be fun to make you one for yourself or perhaps a little tea table — we have a little seasoned timber left. Please let me know whether you prefer box or table and if former give any particular inside measurements.

Gallagher

His Excellency

Submitted with 6 [RC's complaint about Isaac], with a draft telegram to the resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Colony for Your Excellency's consideration.

IMMEDIATE.

Confidential.

Your telegram No. 75, instruct acting Senior Medical Officer that ships must not be detained without good reason and then only in accordance with Regulations or higher instructions.

He should also be directed to report reasons for action taken referred to in your telegram and instructed that if human remains are those they are assumed to be he is not to detain shipping.

High Commissioner.

Your telegram 11th February.

Confidential.

Matter became somewhat tense and complex after guillotine conversation between us. As I had (and still have) no information save presence of remains and therefore......quarantine from.....no danger infaction [sic]. I am still wondering how wretched relics can be interesting.

Isaac.

My telegram No. 75, Acting Senior Medical Officer has now apparently examined the remains. He states that they are part of a skeleton of elderly male of Polynesian race, bones having been probably in sheltered position for upwards of 20 years possibly much longer. He notes some disintegration of the bones in the course of transportation and suggests if they are considered of archaeological interest Your Excellency might wish him to strengthen by a method with which he states Your Excellency knows he is specially familiar.

Resident.

Your telegram No. 83, all shipping was released on completion of examination. I have instructed Acting Senior Medical Officer as in your telegram No. 83 and will forward report in due course.

Resident Commissioner.