NEW BRITAIN, an island of the Bismarck Archipelago, lying east of New Guinea, in the Pacific ocean, between 5° and 6° S., and 15o° E. (German, Neu Pommern; native, Birara). It formed part of the colony of German New Guinea from 1884 (when the German protectorate was declared), until 1914, when it was occupied by Australian troops, and in 1919 it was mandated by the League of Nations, to the Commonwealth of Australia, by which country it is now being administered. It is the largest and most important island of the archipelago, with a total area of 10,000 sq. miles. It is long and very narrow, almost crescent shaped, with a mean breadth of 28 miles. Despite its small width, in 1928 it had not been crossed by a white man, except at its northern extremity, due to the fact that a high and very rugged range of mountains runs from one end to the other. Volcanic action is very evident throughout the island, especially in the north, where, close to Rabaul, are the Matupi sulphur springs. The highest peak in the island, the Father (7,5oo ft.) on the north-west coast, is an active volcano, and near it are two moun tains the North Son and the South Son, and not far from Rabaul are three mountains, the Mother, the North Daughter and the South Daughter, the first-named being an extinct volcano. Vulcan Island, with an area of several acres, on the south side of Blanche Bay, made its appearance in a single night, in 1870, during an eruption of Mt. Mother when violent earthquakes were expe rienced : earth tremors are of frequent occurrence. The coast is precipitous in some places, in others flat and fringed with coral reefs; but there are several good harbours, the best being Simpson Haven, the inlying portion of Blanche Bay; others are Jacquinot Bay, Arawe, Linden haven and Powell haven. There are no rivers of any importance, only a few short, rapid-flowing streams. The chief town and centre of administration is Rabaul, situated on Simpson haven, which is also a good port with a safe and spacious anchorage for shipping. The bulk of the white population of
New Britain is settled in or near Rabaul, where sanitary condi tions have improved greatly, and which has a fairly healthy climate, with a rainfall of more than ioo inches. White-owned coconut plantations are scattered about the island. Copra is the chief product, shipments of which from Rabaul in 1919 amounted to a value of and there is a considerable shell fishing industry. Roads are being constructed where possible, and be tween Rabaul and the various islands and ports on the mainland and in Australia there is regular steamship communication. There is also telegraphic and wireless communication. The island is divided into four districts for administrative purposes, Rabaul, Kokopo (formerly Herbertshohe, the former seat of the governor of German New Guinea), Gasmatta and Talasea, administered by district officers appointed by the administrator of the man dated territories of New Guinea.
The people are Melanesians, of good physique, akin to the aborigines of the mainland. They are considered to be very treacherous, and cannibalism exists amongst them; but this is being stamped out as the island is opened up with roads. They are amenable to discipline, and some display considerable intelli gence when trained. Pidjin English is used by European settlers in dealing with the natives, who have clean and well kept villages, and though not craftsmen in carving and pottery, are good hunters and fishermen. (See NEW GUINEA.) The most recent volcanic eruption occurred on May 29, 1937 with the outbreak of the Matupi and Vulcan volcanoes near Ra baul. A rapid evacuation was made to other parts of the island, but two Europeans and 261 natives were killed. There was little permanent damage either to the harbour or the town. (E. E. L.)