Pacific Islands Monthly - 1 April 1958

Pacific

Monthly

April, 1958

Vol. Xxviii. No. 9.

blished .930

t

Admittedly that looks like a beer bottle, and there is no doubt about the fact that what he's drinking is a pretty popular drink among Pacific natives these days.

It's "lolly water", and probably a warm bottle at that. The engrossed young fellow is a fijian, from Tevuki village, kadavu. -T. A. Forster.

Uthough no official announce >nt had been made in early April, seemed likely that P-NG’s native nned Pacific Islands Regiment, i reputation a little bent follow- I riots last year, was to have a v second-in-command Major n Barrett, Rabaul planter, ex .C, and popular man-about-town. is experienced and highly

ipetent at handling native

)ps, and would also act as iser for the Army and Admini ition. * * * he Centre Admiral J. Evenou lortly to take over from Admiral louse Lautrec as commander of French Naval Forces in the ific. Admiral Lautrec, aboard the *icis Gamier, made an official to New Zealand in March.

Gordon Taylor made a re i address about his Frigate U I flying boat cruises while at iki, Cl, in mid-February. It e used over Rarotonga Radio. * * * nan with seven children, Mr. tel Toki, 35, has been ap- : d h . ead teacher, Mauke i. Cl, in succession to the late h Kimiangatau. (Over)

some Dane, Henning Pedersen, assistant [?]r with the Commonwealth Department [?]ks at Lae, NG, became a naturalised [?]an in a ceremony in Lae, on March 7. [?]ate Sir Colman O'Loghlen conducted the [?]y, and Morobe District Commissioner [?]R. Niall welcomed Mr. Pedersen as an an citizen. Said Mr. Pedersen, "All the [?] have been in these parts, I've been royally".

Mr. Don Graeme Kelley, e<; of the American magazine Pm Discovery, and Mr. Haroldf Coolidge, Director of the Pa Science Board of the US Natii Academy of Science, Washing.

DC, spent most of March in , tralia, and thence went on to Zealand. Means of giving the mi zine a wider appeal to Australae readers were investigated.

Coolidge was for some timi member of the Research Couna the South Pacific Commission., hopes to attend the Fourth S< Pacific Conference at Rabaui April, 1959.

A German journalist-pM grapher, Mr. Gunther Cotter, wi visiting various Pacific territoriu the next few months on a ro commission for the West Gen newspaper, Westdeutsche Allgem Zeitung, published in Essen.

Cotter first went to Australii cover the Olympic Games, stayed on. He intends visiting?

New Hebrides, New Caledonia, W. Samoa, the Cooks and Tahi ❖ ❖ * Mrs. Ray Stuart, of Oro Papua, and her two children.] turned to the Territory on Malaita in March after t months leave in Australia.

Stuart, who conducts a trade at Oro Bay, flew back earlier. ,

The Rev. H W. Figgess, Rector o[?] Anglican Cathedral, Suva, returned from [?] tion in New Zealand with Mrs. Figges[?] sons John, Paul, Nicholas, and William, [?] ling per March "Tofua" from Auckland.

—J. P. Sh[?]

After a "refresher" course and three [?] leave in NZ, Father Espagne, of the C[?] Mission, left Sydney on the March "[?] for Honiara. Father Espagne has served[?] 12 years altogether in the Islands.

Colin Thwaites, of Port Moresby, is on leave in Sydney in March, eparatory to going to Lae, NG, icre he will edit the New Guinea nirier, scheduled to begin publi tion in June. The new paper, like s Port Moresby South Pacific Post d the Rabaul Times, will be inted at the Post’s Port Moresby inting office; and flown to Lae. * * * Pwo Fiji trades union officials, . Neman! Waka, secretary of the i Mine Workers’ Association, and . Mohamed Ramzan, general retary of the Public Works De tment Employees’ Union, have n awarded bursaries for a three nths’ study of British trades ons. The bursaries were awarded the British Council. * * ♦ igar smoking is an everyday oc ation for Lae (NG) Customs at, John McKennariety, but n his wife presented him with aughter on March 27, he began ving them with excitement. sfc ■%. eaded for leave, Territory-born ) Bill Driver, and family, were ird Sinkiang when it sailed for aey from Lae in March. Bill er is grandson of the late Mrs. ibeth Mahoney, known during long years in Papua as “The m of Sudest”.

Wimberley, a principal of a ulu firm of architects, Wim and Cooke, has been visiting te in connection with the erec )f a new hotel for Spencecliff a Honolulu hotel and res it company directed by mil re Spencer Weaver. It’s re l that Mr. Weaver’s company r .also be interested in buying amball Catalina that’s been about the Pacific lately (see 37) ' (Over)

[?] ess Mata'aho of Tonga and her daughter [?] returned to Nukualofa aboard the [?] in March after spending some time kland. — J. P. Shortall.

Mrs. Frederic L. Fish, of N« Jersey, USA, has been visiting t£ Pacific. At Nadi, Fiji, she stays with a sister, Mrs. Bob Paterso and in Lae, NG, with her brotlr and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ten Powell, who are old Territorial The Powell’s son, Michael, aE companied his aunt back to Br;’ bane on the plane, where he is doi;i second year Medicine. He learnr there that he had been granted!

Commonwealth scholarship.

In Melbourne for a police cg ference, P-NG Police Commission Mr, C. Normoyle, called in at R Cross Headquarters and was phon graphed holding a NG native drr with National Red Cross Commr sioner Mr. A. G. Brown. Mr. No’ moyle is president of the NG bran of the Red Cross.

To succeed M. Jean Franoi Toby who has been Governor i French Polynesia since SeptemTx 1954, M. Camille Bailly arrived £ Papeete by air from France « March.

Outward bound from Auckland in "Tofua" in March: Nurse M. Singh, of returning home after five years of nursing[?] New Zealand hospitals; and Mr. T. Heimuli son, David, returning to Nukualofa, wh[?] Mr. Heimuli is Registrar of the Supreme Co of Tonga. —J. P. Short

Homeward bound for Apia in the M[?] "Tofua" from Auckland, after vacation in[?] were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Adams, Sally, Terese. Mr. Adams is secretary of J. M.[?] Chong and Co. —J. P. Shone[?]

he New Zealand Government appointed Mr. R. B. Tennent, tctor-General of Agriculture, to iced Mr. C. M. Richwhite, as r Zealand member of the British sphate Commission, as from 11 1. He will also be member for Christmas Island Phosphate [mission (Indian Ocean).

Graham Evans, who was on iff of the Colonial Sugar Re- Co., Ltd., at Labasa and Fiji, and who left Fiji last low is a resident of Sudburg, o, Canada. He is employed by nadian Creosote and Timber ny. His father, Mr. W. G. who also was a CSR man, with the Rural Bank, at >y, NSW. (Over)

Alec Haworth, formerly of Robert Gil [?]pty., Ltd., who left Sydney about a [?]o to live in retirement in Tahiti, re [?]to Sydney on the "Orcades" and will [?]e in Mosman. Mr. Haworth had been [?] few months in Papeete when he de filaria and on medical advice went [?]ust to Suva, where this disease is not [?]t. In Suva he did some preliminary [?]launching Robert Gillespie (Fiji), Ltd., [?]ered two heart attacks and had to go [?]tal each time. He then decided to go Sydney, where old friends will be glad [?]im again—but will be sorry to learn idyllic South Sea islands retirement dogged by ill luck.

[?] Mrs A Ardilly, left Sydney on the [?] for Vila in March where they hope Mr. Ardilly was in the Islands for [?]s during the war.

Mrs. Aggie Grey, well-known popular hotel hostess of A£ Western Samoa, underwent operation in the Mater Misericoro Hospital, Auckland, in mid-Mae At the end of the month she reported to be making satisfacc progress.

Mr. Charles McPhee, the nu Pacific landscape and portrait pa ter now resident in Auckland, been commissioned by Papeete to nessman Darryl Shields to pain series of Polynesian designs for: on pareu (sarong) material, first few of the series have alre' been used in the manufacture oft material in France and are ax, able in Tahiti where Mr. Shij holds the sole rights at preset One of Mr. McPhee’s Ts' paintings was on display at Auckland Society of Arts exhitaii in March-April.

Melbourne newspapers in Mt were fascinated by smiling I Willy, ship’s cook aboard Damadora - Del - Mar, trading ? tween Noumea and Sydney, anoj only woman crew member. Thes called in at Melbourne for a o of flour, and Lucie happily otd for a photograph among her and pans.

Coping with the problem rearing two small boys at Vaa

Mr. W. Gillett (left) returned to [?] Moresby on the March "Malaita" after[?] in Queensland and NSW. Mr. A. Fish[?] clerk with the Administration, spent his [?] mostly in NSW.

Miss Nanette O'Connor, of Port [?] was also on the March "Malaita"..[?] O'Connor, who has been working in the[?] for the last six years, spent four month[?] in New Zealand.

rth-west NG, with food flown the 1 miles from Wewak, nowhere to and patrol officer husband, John, ■quently away on patrol, Judith jkine told a perambulating news per reporter from Australia, jople down south fail to realise it it’s not a paradise up here”. * * ♦ Jr. and Mrs. George Pike and ir four young children got back Lae, NG, in March, somewhat nkfully after a vacation in Aus lia. They were at Leura, NSW, ;n bushfires practically destroyed town —including their holiday :age.

W. L. Conroy, chief of the ision division of the NG De ment of Agriculture, recently ?d the University of New and, NSW, to see if training he agricultural faculties there itable for graduates who intend ing in P-NG. He reported that training could be used to ad age.

B. B. Schaffer, director of *ublic Administration course at university of Queensland, ex

[?]minent Port Moresby guide worker, Mrs. a Price, was presented with a Medal of by the world Chief Guide, Lady Baden [?], in Port Moresby in March. —Papuan Prints.

and Mrs. E. J. Reid and Louisa returned [?] in the "Tofua" in March after holiday- New Zealand. —J. P. Shortall.

pects to visit P-NG in May, to < cuss plans for courses best sv for P-NG students, quite a nun of whom study with the univee by correspondence.

Hs * * Passengers travelling to the ♦ Islands in the first 1958 voyag Maui Pomare from Auckland! eluded Mr. Sam Bennett of A Donald & Co., Ltd., Auckland;; A. S. Wallace, medical olficef health at Auckland to organii public health service and thea tablishment of the new leprosai at Aitutaki; and Mr. Alf Bs head of Cook Is. Lands & Su Dept., and Mrs. Bailey, retun from leave.

Mr. K. M. Sleight, who was s tary to Resident Commiss Judge H. F. Ayson in the Islands from 1923 to 1928, and: has been secretary successivee the last four New Zealand I Ministers, retired from the H Service in March. * * * Representatives of the vs’

Pacific meteorological organise; are meeting at Manila in Ape the south-west Pacific reg; meeting of the World Meteoro cal Organisation. Dr. M. a Barnett is representing the Zealand Meteorological Se< which controls the area from Gilberts to the Antarctic and. to the Cooks. * * * Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Willsl Auckland aboard the March Pomare bound for Rarofrc where Mr. Wills was taking u appointment as manager, im Cook Islands for A. B. DonaloJ

Mr. Sevan Murphy, and his bride, fo[?] Mrs. Jill Potter, after their marriage [?] NG, recently.

Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. Wills are U known in the Islands. He was merly with Morris Hedstrom and , in Western Samoa, and was »r manager of Walter Horne and , Ltd., at Suva. He succeeds Mr. irce at Rarotonga.

ark Johnson, 17-years-old son Jr. and Mrs. W. G. Johnson of a, Fiji, has been awarded a ►larship under the Australian rnational Scheme and has red Melbourne University to y Law. The scholarship carries l it a living allowance of £560 year, all tuition fees and fares and from Fiji. Mark was a iant pupil at Suva Boys’ Gram- School where he received his iary and secondary education.

i old identity of the late ities and early thirties in the t. Capt. Ludwig Klugkist, who an officer on the Bremerhaven h traded with outports of the itory from 1929 and onwards, ’ed in Sydney in April as master he NDL freighter triple-screw lenstein from Hamburg. He met ral of his old <TNG acquaint s, though many others have 5d oh.

[?]nese calligraphist Wan Wing-Sum, of [?]l, with New Britain District Commissioner Foldi, who opened Mr. Wing-Sum's ex on of Chinese art in Rabaul recently. were delicately tinted paintings of [?]rs, plants, butterflies and other insects, [?]inely executed examples of Chinese script. —C. H. Meen.

W. H. Briggs was on the "Bulolo" for [?] in March, to rejoin her husband, [?]er of the Burns Philp Londip Plantation, recuperating in NSW from a recent ill- Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have been in the [?]s since 1925.

Contents:

No. 9. Vol. Xxxviii

April, 1958

PEOPLE: Personal Para graphs of Islands’ Interest 5 BSIP Liquor Committee Presents a Forthright Report 17 W. Samoa Will Get Extra Financial Help 18 PIR is Now “Back to Normal” 18 Burns, Philp Makes Its First Bonus Issue Since 1918 18 Netherlands NG Gets a New Governor 19 Fiji Cuts Its Wharf Plan 19 Alterations to Nadi Airport May Disrupt Pacific Air Services 20 Fiji Has a Wave of Violent Deaths 20 Leftist Party Takes Over in French Polynesia .. .. 21 P-NG Investigates Use of New Building Materials 21 World Copra Price Rises .. 22 Qantas to Supply “Trade Correspondent” in Fiji .. 22 Fiji Leper Colony Recevies a Visit from Queen Salote 23 W. Samoa Receives Its Parliamentary Mace ... 23

Commentary: The Pub

lisher and the Editors Look at Pacific and World Affairs 25

Editors’ Mailbag 27

French Discover La Perouse Relics: Special Report 28

Territories’

Talk-Talk 29

Upset in Port Moresby Over a “No Bathing” Sign .. 35 Death of Fred Ball—Old Hand Gold Prospector .. 37 P-NG Issues a New Set of Stamps 37 Rev. John Metcalfe and His Wife Retire from BSI Missions 39 NG Man is Heir to a Famous Bath 41 Americans in Thorough Scientific Research of N.

Pacific 41 Dust Up Over Export of P-NG Native Art 43 How to Read the Cook Islands’ Annual Report 45 Photographs Show Changing Face of Rarotonga .. 45 Anglican Diocese of Poly nesia Celebrates Its Jubilee 49

The Future of Papua's Search for Oil 51 Some Hints on How to be A Cocoa Millionaire ... 53 Sir Harry Luke Revisits the S. Pacific 57 Judy Tudor Gives Some Advice for NG Air Travellers 59 Bergensfjord Gets a Real Hula Welcome in Raro tonga 65 Correspondents Discuss the NG Bena Bena Incident 67 Tongan Education System: A Survey 69 Scientists Bring Problems to the Cooks 72 A Special Writer Asks: Has E. Papua a Future? 75 Power From Papuan Rivers 75 Last Cruise of the Wanderer: An Historical Sidelight .. 77 The Pioneering Work of Port Moresby Missionaries . . 79

Magazine Section:

Tropicalities, 81: Do You Remember? 81; Crossquiz, 82; Brett Hilder’s Pro file, 82; When Britain Was Reluctant About N. Guinea. 83; Limerick Winner Visits His Island, 84; How the Japs Work in Rabaul, 85; Hindus Celebrate Holi, 86; Fijian War Dead in NG Cemetery, 86; Movieland Drops In, 87; Book Reviews, 88 ; When the Fiji Constabulary Called on the Admiral, 97; His Father Designed Postage Stamps; 99

Pacific Shipping And

Cruising Yachts, ..117

Pacific Report; The

Month’s Round-up of News and Pictures (Index p. 17) 117 OBITUARY: Mr. Thomas J.

Monaghan; Mr. Wallace Washington Brown; Mrs.

Clara Augusta Browne; Dr. Pierre Jean True; Mr. H. C. Crozier; Mr.

William Thomas Kirk; Mr.

Charles Hayward Hughes 151

Sports Review .. ..153

Shipping Time-Tables .. .. 155 Airways’ Time-Tables .. .. 161

Commerce And

Produce .. ... 164

[?]orthright Report on Native Drinking

BSI liquor Committee Recommends Trial For Licensed Liquor Areas

From a Honiara Correspondent Illicit drinking of liquor in the BSI is “widespread”, and the extent to which methylated and rectified spirits and “home brews” are consumed is alarming.

IHIS Is one of the conclusions reached by the Liquor Policy Committee, which has just made blic its report on its investigations ;o the drinking habits of Solomon anders. fhe committee’s report says that despread illicit drinking is par ularly prevalent in Honiara and ler townships, and supplies of ir and spirits are readily obtain [e. Drinking in Honiara is “more • rule than the exception”, t criticises those police who con er that it is useless to enforce i present laws and asserts that is the duty of the police to en ce the law as it stands. At sent, control over bottled liquor ss is so slack as to be ineffective, : report says.

"Wartime Habit"

t adds that the taste for liquor the BSI was probably acquired the natives from Allied troops •ing the war. Drinking is now vitable, but it is essential that nders should be taught the igers, and the least harmful ps of consuming it.

Tie report made these recom ndations: Licensed areas should be de •ed at Honiara, Auki and Gizo a 12 months’ trial period, and these areas, Solomon Islanders, ans and Indians over the age 20 should be able to drink beer trout restriction on licensed pre es.

Reputable Solomon Islanders, ans and Indians over 30 should permits to buy spirits or wine passes, and married men should eligible for permits to take 12 :les of beer home a month.

Outside the licensed areas, ited permits could be issued to )mon Islanders to buy 12 bottles beer, or one bottle of spirits a ith.

There should be increased alties for liquor offences, par larly for the illegal supply of Dr.

There should be no racial dis lination, and Solomon Islanders, ms and Indians should be al

lowed in public bars, and not have separate ones. But women should not be allowed in bars or to have permits of any kind, mid drinking

(Continued on jiage 150)

by them at home should be at the discretion of a husband, if he had a permit.

Licensed Restaurants

• Licensed restaurants should be established for small numbers who would be able to dine with their friends, in addition to the existing public bars. But the present bar hours should be shortened.

The Liquor Committee making the report comprised the Bishop of Melanesia; Father J. M. Wall: Mr.

A. C. Blair; Mr. W. Bennett: Mr.

A. J. Hunter: and Messrs. J. C.

Vouza and A. Daga, under the chairmanship of Mr. C. H. Allan.

Archdeacon H. V. C. Reynolds at tended when the Bishop of Melan esia was unable to be present.

The committee was set up to re port to the High Commissioner, and took evidence from a large number of people.

Under present laws, there is a permit system for beer drinkers, but Solomon Islanders aren’t al lowed to drink spirits.

The liquor report was debated in the BSIP Advisory Council on

March 28, during which the Cot officially noted the “serious imp; tions of the situation revealeii the report”, and recommended the Government should give recommendations of the comm “urgent consideration”.

All members spoke during the bate.

Some speakers, including Dudley Tutt and Mr. Salana ♦ considered the relaxation of trol was premature.

"Got Good Things"

Headman Vouza said that British had given the Solo Islanders all the good things now had, but not the right to o in bars. They had not witll axes and knives because someE might get hurt with them, and privilege of drinking should no witheld because somebody n hurt himself.

Other speakers said that hours should not be shortened,, v/omen should be allowed in, that provision of licensed res rants would place undue worl the police.

Caught With Their

Australian 'External Affairs Minister, Mr. Casey, is a conservative dresser—which, possibly accounts for the look of mild horror he wears as the Photographer catches him and Netherlands New Guinea Gov ernor, Dr. van Baal, in the rain at Hollandia’s airport, manfully hold aloft a couple of most unconservative, oriental-looking brollies. Dr. van Baal resigned a few days later, although this had nothing to do with Mr. Casey, or the brollies. Stories, pages 19, 142. Photo: w. E. Tausent.

Turn to these inside pages for more highlights of the month’s news: Noumea Fights Over Trees, 117; Milk ing the Cl Taxpayer, Shark Kills New Caledonia Fisherman, 119; New Caledonia's Illicit Liquor Problem, 121; Fiji Resident in Shooting Case, UK Consulate in Papeete May Close, 123.

It's Tax Month in P-NG, 126; Some Excitement at Honiara, Madang— Highlands' Gateway, 129; American Gets His Island, 131;. Dearer Cigarettes in Fiji, New Caledonia's New Budget, 133; Chief Guide Visits P-NG, Fiji Airways Take-over, 135.

Fiji's Cock-Eyed Weather, New Attempt to Solve Viet Problem, Talk of W.

Samoa Trade Recession, 139; Secondary Education for P-NG, Fiji labour Legislation, Manus as a Naval "Base", 142.

Mormon Church Restricted, P-NG RSL Congress, First Club for P-NG Native Ex-Servicemen, 147; Fiji Passes Tax Bill, Cook Islands Tax Fight, 149; Cattle Vessel for Pacific, 150.

But They'll Still Need More Money

W. Samoa to Get an Extra Grant

The New Zealand Govern

ment has decided to make

Western Samoa grants totalling

£Stg 81,000 for specific purposes

during the current financial year

—but it only partially gets the

Territory out of its financial diffi

culties.

The Legislative Assembly, in ses sion late March, has been officially informed that the specific purposes are agricultural develop me n t including the full cost of the Avele Agricultural College, the cost of scholarships granted to Samoan children now studying in New Zealand, the cost of school journals for use in education in Samoa and half the maintenance cost of Gov ernment House up to £5,000.

On March 28 the Financial Secre tary, Mr L. M. Cook, in delivering his budget speech to the House, stressed the fact that even with the retrenchment already effected by the Government, activities can only be continued by deficit budgeting.

The need to raise additional revenue and effect further economies there fore still exists.

Total trade of the Territory

during 1957 showed a slight increase over 1956, but this increase resulted solely from the large quantity of copra carried over from the end of 1956, otherwise total trade would have shown a reduction of £200,000 from the 1956 figures.

The Estimates submitted to the Legislative Assembly provide for ordinary revenue of £947,400 and for expenditure of £1,060,800. The deficit of £113.400 will be met firstly by grants offered by the New Zealand Government amounting to £81,600 and secondly by using £31,800 of the Treasury Cash balances which were available at the beginning of the year.

The estimated receipts show a decrease of £116,000 from the actual revenue collected in 1957 due to low T er produce prices for products and the lack of any substantial in crease in the volume of exports.

In comparison with the 1957 ex penditure of £1,276,500, the estimated expenditure for 1958 has been re duced by nearly £216,000.

Capital development has been severely curtailed and no provision has been made for reading and building projects undertaken by the Public Works Department. Only projects to which the Government has already been committed, and agricultural development subsided by NZ grants will be completed.

The House was warned that this year’s grants will be unlikely to be repeated next year.

In future therefore Samoa will be forced to live strictly, within its income. . , (See “Trade Recession Talk”, p. 139)

Latest photograph of Mr. Dicky Wakeiwe, Loyalty Islands' school teacher and elected member of New Caledonia's Territorial As sembly. He is one of the delegates who will go to the Communist-controlled sector of Indo china in an effort to arrange repatriation of the 5,000 Indo-Chinese in New Caledonia. See story, page 139. —Fred Dunn.

Pir Is Back To

“The PIR trouble is dead now. The regiment is in very good order." So said a former wartime commander, Col. H. T.

Allan, after inspecting the regiment in Port Moresby in March —his first visit in eight years.

“The rioting incidents of late last year need never have happened,” he said. “But they did happen, and the following Press publicity, and the attitude of panic by some Port Moresby people, made the situation a lot worse than it need have been.

But it’s dead now.

“The new scheme for officers, which will keep them with the regiment, and make them learn Pidgin, is a good one.”

“Blue” Allan nevertheless did not waste words when he addressed a PIR parade during his visit. He told the men that their fathers and grandfathers were annoyed with them, and the young men had to do nothing to tarnish the name of the old soldiers.

Burns Philp’S First

Bonus Issue Since 1918

A Gift Of £3-Millions

• The announcement, at the ginning of April, that Burns PI shareholders were to receive a Bot Issue of one share for every f\ held created much interest in Pacific Islands. Although the fim cial strength of the BP group grown very much in the last 3 years, there had been no Ba Issue since 1918.

Anything that happens in Burns Philp empire is necessac news in the Pacific. No other sir interest has contributed more t: BP to pioneer transportation trading, planting, shipping, andt nancing of private enterprise in South-west Pacific Islands.

This new Bonus Issue really not expected. There had been i sistent hints from interested qu ters in recent years; but Chaim James Burns rather scotched idea a year or two ago whem pointed out that shareholders v served very well indeed by the portunities given them to buy issues of these high-premium shi at par (ordinary £1 shares usuj sell at 55/- to 60/-).

However, sentiments stirred hy\ Company’s 75th anniversary s ened the hearts of this can Board: and a gift worth nomin about £1,000,000 (actually anytl up to £3 millions) to the lu shareholders was quietly annourr There is no doubt that the was made possible by a ste appreciation in most of the Company’s assets over the couple of decades; but there is; yet any indication of what groin assets is being written up to n the charge. One newspaper a mentator says the said grr include: • The shipping fleet. • Australian and New Zeaj real estate, including the Syo Imperial Arcade, which it bor< during the war for £600,000. • Investments, including a 14> cent, interest in G. J. Coles an large holding in Queensland lir ance. • About 40 island plantat and 14 Australian country gen stores.

Remarkable Service Record)

Reviewing their 75 years of cessful trading, the Directors m that the Company had been ses by the following outstanding offi for these periods: Joseph Mitchell .. .. 67 x James Burns 60 F. E. Loxton .. .. 58 E. P. Lee 50 PT. W. Black .. . • 41 All except Mr. Lee (the Gen;

(Continued on page 152)

Secretary) are Directors- an are still actively in harness, a anniversary indicates a long sr years - yet the Co. had beei eight years in existence whee Mitchell joined, and probabc wisdom teeth had not yet bee when Messrs. Burns, Loxton an entered its service.

Floating Stores

Mr. Burns (who has Chairman for a long time) is of the late Sir James Burnss the Co.’s doughty founder di believe in mollycoddling.

Jimmy” still was a youth whr was sent pff in a little ship i New Hebrides as a supercargo.i he learned Islands storekeepin hard way. In some comment • activities of 50 years ago ; >he v “I once served (over 50 years two years in the New Hebrio supercargo. We had two vess this trade and called at aboir ports or anchorages in Hebrides and Banks Group.

“In those days the steamers floating shops and had verr trade-rooms in the ’tween deo “We carried two crews white, to run the ships, anc other, Island boys, mostly Tanna, to run the boating tl from the shore (as there we wharves anywhere), carrying s the mail and passengers, goo« dered from Sydney, etc., and rr ing with copra, sandalwood on Islands produce.

“All payments for produce any trade goods purchased,, settled in golden sovereigns, were carried in safes in £lOOO “Many kinds of peculiar r© were made, at some bf these is ports where the ship only call© haps once every three or six rtn One request to a supercargo, my time, was from a trader wanted him to choose him a “However, what happened 55 ago when I was supercargo o old Tambo, Ysabel and iV was happening in other parts i Pacific, as the steamers running to Papuai Guinea, Solomon Islands, G Ellice and Marshall Islands, P. c Group (Hull, Sydney, CantonK Howe and Norfolk Island, etcc “The first Island shipping, as I have heard —i.e., on a n service—was the run from Coo to British New Guinea with tH sail schooners Ivanhoe and 1 in the early 1880’s; and all S€ mentioned were running steamers before 1900, “Before Sir James Burns s this South Sea Islands tradfc before Burns Philp was forim had small vessels running o coast between Sydney, Brisbau Nth. Q’land ports, as far m» Cooktown.”

New Guinea Appointment

From a Correspondent in Hollandia Dr. P. J. Platted, a former resident commissioner of the >ld Dutch East Indies, and war-prisoner of the Japanese, has icen appointed Governor of Netherlands New Guinea in sue ession to Dr. Jan van Baal.

E will take up his new post on May 1, and in the meantime, Netherlands New Guinea has Acting Governor Mr. J. C. rspul, vice - president of the •d of Directors—who was sworn n March 31. ■. van Baal resigned his post on same date, and has returned lolland. He was appointed Gov r in April, 1953, and his term ffice was up. guard -of - honour farewelled at Hollandia. therlands New Guinea’s new irnor is 47. He gained his Ph.D trecht University in 1936, on a s called “The Basis of the Con tion of the Dutch East Indies”, went to the DEI in 1937, work is a district officer in several ■es, and was interned by the nese during the war. He was a reserve commissioned of- Has Visited Australia visited Australia after his re in 1945, and later went back le East Indies as a civil ad strator, until the sovereignty ration in 1950 when he re d to Holland. has since been working at The e on internal and social af matters.

Flatted is the third Gov to be appointed to Nether- New Guinea. 3 of the last official functions ’• van Baal, before he retired, o welcome Australian External ■s Minister Casey, on his brief to NNG. Mr. Casey flew from la to Biak, where he was met ’• van Baal, and they went on Jllandia together for talks on alian-Dutch co-operation.

Casey told a press conference ollandia that he was “aston ’ at the development in NNG

he energy being displayed,

said in answer to a question the possibility of the Nether joining SEATO had never discussed, and the organisa vas already formed. 7 Guinea, he said, was a “stra and important island, but a stion made in Canberra re r by Mr. John Kerr, OC, about 3lanesian Federation was “a on for the far future”.

Before the Board of Directors in Hol landia, March 31, Dr. Jan van Baal (left) swears in Mr. J. C. Baarspul as Acting Governor of Netherlands NG. —W. E. Tausent.

Modern Suva

SUVA, April 11.

Victoria Arcade, a very modern 2storey structure running between Vic toria Parade and Joske Street, in the centre of modern Suva, was officially opened today by Mr. Maurice Scott, MIC, chairman of Burns Philp (South Seas), Ltd. The new building, which has been under planning and erection for two years, cost £llO,OOO, and is owned jointly by Burns Philp and Queensland Insurance Co.

Fifteen shops on the ground floor, and 12 office suites on the first floor, surround a central court and tropical garden.

Down To £2 Million Size

Because of soaring costs Fiji will have to wait considerably longer for its Docks scheme, which in 1952 was estimated to cost £F2 millions, but is now estimated to cost nearer £FIO millions.

THE Fiji Standing Committee on Finance has announced that the Colony will spend on the Suva - Lautoka Dock scheme, £F2,800,000 —that is about £FBOO,OOO more than was planned in 1952 and that the rest will have to be left to posterity.

The full plan called for the re building of Suva docks in the Walu Bay area, building a new wharf at Lautoka. construction of a new slipways at Suva and many other improvements which would totally alter the face of Suva waterfront.

Under the revised plan Lautoka will get its new wharf (for which it has waited for years while it has used the totally inadequate CSR Co. wharf); Suva will get its slipways

and a few other improvements—but for the time being the old wharf (which has given a lot of trouble in recent years) will be patched up “to keep it going for a number of years”.

The steep rise in estimated cost over a six years period is due largely to inflation, but in part also to additions that have been made to the original plans.

As the Finance Committee quite properly pointed out, the Colony could not afford £FIO millions at present. The pity of it seems to be that Authority hesitated too long about spending £2 millions back in 1952—and it could be that by 1964 a mere £lO millions will look very cheap indeed.

Alterations to Nadi Airport This Year

Air Services Could

The lengthening and strength

ening of the main runway at

Nadi, Fiji, in preparation for jet

aircraft, may disrupt international

air services towards the end of

this year.

The services which will be af fected are Pan American Airways, and Qantas Airways, and possibly Canadian Pacific Airlines Ltd. It is expected that TEAL DC6 services from New Zealand will be able to operate in daylight, using the sec ondary runway.

It has been suggested in New Zealand that work on the main runway will start about August and that for the three or four months it is out of operation, Qantas and Pan American will overfly Nadi and iahd at Christchurch. New Zealand, whenuapai, Auckland, is not suit able because of weight considera tions for either Super-Constellations or Stratocruisers.

A spokesman for Qantas in Syd ney said that the whole matter was being considered but no decisions had been made. Whatever was done would be a matter for the civil aviation authorities. Nadi is under the jurisdiction of New Zealand.

Pan American Airways at present operates a feeder-service between Auckland and Nadi for New Zealand passengers. New Zealand passengers travelling trans-Pacific by Qantas travel between Auckland and Nadi by TEAL.

TEAL Service to Samoa,

Cooks May Cease

Although Tasman Empire Air ways Ltd. had no comment other than to say that the Coral Route service between Fiji, Western Samoa, Aitutaki, and Tahiti would be discussed with other matters concerning the airline’s future in April, the present TEAL schedules indicate that the Solent flying-boat service will end when the single aircraft remaining on the route arrives back at Lauthala Bay, Suva in the first week in August.

Early in April, and prior to the opening of the New Zealand-Aus tralia aviation talks at Wellington, the New Zealand Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Mathison, said that TEAL was planning a direct land plane ■ service between Nadi and Borabora, French Oceania, as an

interim measure following the with drawal of the Solent flying-boat.

The Minister gave no indication of any possible plan to provide air communications to Samoa and the Cooks in the interim period until airfields were extended and radio facilities replaced. The planned TEAL service would simply keep the Fiji-French Polynesia link open.

Concern is felt in Samoa and the Cooks at the possible loss of their air-service.

A Glad (Confused) Hand

The visit of world Chief Guide, Lady B [?] Powell to P-NG in March was quite exo [?] —as this picture, taken in Rabaul, sH [?] Most excited of all is the young fellow from the right who has given his hand to Chief Guider, and, at the same instant, s [?] to be telling his mate all about it. But [?] he given his hand? The scout handsha [?] lefthanded, so that must be the hand of [?] chap on his right. But look closely— Baden-Powell is holding TWO hands—and [?] isn't a scout handshake. All very confusi [?] but everyone seems to be enjoying the anyhow. —Photo C. H. A

Deaths In Fiji

From a Suva Correspondent • A large number of what are officially termed “deaths by violence” in Fiji in the last few months is causing grave concern. rgIHERE is apparently no cause for A this unprecedented outbreak, unless it is that since January 21, 1953, the death sentence has not been carried out in the Colony.

Some of Suva’s leading residents are of the opinion that if the death sentence were carried out the incidence of such deaths would drop.

As this story is written, a report has come in from Ba where an Indian, aged 27, father of five child ren, died from gunshot wounds.

Since January 21, 1953, eight people have been convicted of mur der in a total of five cases. Of these eight, the convictions of two were quashed on appeal. The remaining six were reprieved. Three of the re maining six were Fijians who were concerned in the same case, which involved the murde v of a teacher in a remote part of the Yasawas by means of buturaki (knocking a man down, walking over him, and kick ing him).

The number of “deaths violence” in 1958 up to Marc: was seven—three in Suva andfc virons, two at Lautoka, one aj and one at Rakiraki.

If the present rate is maints 28 people in Fiji will die by viox this year—a figure out of all portion to the population.

When a government spokes? was asked: Is it the policy of Government to commute o sentences to life imprisonmen imprisonment for a specified —the reply was: “It is a matter of the Gove exercising the Royal prerogq The Governor by law is boun consult Executive Council. I case is considered on its merits, every relevant factor is takem consideration, including ma. which may not be relevant in o such as provocation not sufflj in law to reduce the crime to : slaughter and abnormality of not amounting to legal insa:i The spokesman drew a linci tween “murder” and “death violence.”

He said, “In the first months of this year there hav<\ doubtedly been a larger mu than usual of deaths invcr violence. It is, of course, muc.c early to say how many of cases amounted to murder”.

[?]e Changing Face Islands' Politics

[?]Akes Over In

[?]Rench Polynesia

There have been some far

iching political and administra

e changes in French Polynesia

recent weeks; but details are ficult to obtain. 1 Is known, that a new Left -of - Centre Assembly has taken charge of the local govern or, under our old friend M. ivanaa a Oopa, and that an bi ased measure of “home rule” has n introduced. rench Polynesia (headquarters Papeete, in Tahiti) is classified “an Overseas Territory within French Union”; and normally is administered by a Governor pointed by Paris), a Privy incil, and an Assembly of 25 sons elected by popular vote •y five years. he five-yearly elections took ;e last November; and a majority ;he seats was won by the party locratique de s Populations itiennes, (called RDPT for :t) led by Pouvanaa a Oopa.

Vigorous Leftist

. Pouvanaa a Oopa always has i regarded as a vigorous Leftist, a political struggle between , and certain conservative ips, has been going on for years, i time, his party came in with absolute majority; and, late in •uary, it assumed responsibility the government, with new isters, and an extension of e rule. Pouvanaa a Oopa be e leader of the Government, ?r the Governor, and is Minister Interior.

Henri Bodin is Minister of nee; M. Rene Raphael Lagarde linister of Health; M. Walter tid is Minister of Education; Pierre Hunter is Minister of ic Works; and M. Jacques raa Minister of Economic Af ie of the first acts of the new rnment was to introduce in - taxation something that r previously had been contem id in French Polynesia, lere now is, similarly, a Leftist inistration in New Caledonia, ■r M. Lenormand. new government, complete with oan Ministers, has just taken ge of Western Samoa. ! e political face of the Islands itories is changing fast.

Lesson From Nng

P-NG Discovers New Building Materials From PIM’s NG Correspondent

Papua-New Guinea has lagged

behind most other Pacific terri

tories in employing cement and

coral bricks and blocks but there has been a sudden interest in this

building medium in recent

months.

MAYBE this can be regarded as the first of the benefits of closer co-operation with Neth erlands New Guinea where houses, native and European, are built of coral and cement blocks.

The experiments now being carried out, could if successful revo lutionise the building trade in the Territory where the traditional mat erials are timber, fibrolite and native materials.

Mr. Charles Hyland is starting a cement brick factory in Lae shortly, and recently in Rabaul a local firm Vulcan Concrete Products Ltd., went into production with bricks, cement pipes etc.

The P-NG Department of Works has been experimenting with various solid building materials in a number of places in the Territory for some time. As well as brick-making, it has experimented with pise, adobe and stabilised earth.

Different types of soil and gravel have been tried out, and propor tions of mixtures tested. At Kavieng, experiments with bricks made of cement and coronous (coral), of which there is a plentiful supply, are well ahead, and an immediate

start is being made on a number of buildings there.

At Rabaul a start has been made with experimental blocks, and these, too, are to be used in constructing buildings.

At the Regional Depot of the Works Department at Konedobu, Port Moresby, 10,000 bricks are ready for use in an experimental building which has already been started.

At Lae, experiments in mud and soil combinations have been going on for some time, and an experi mental building is to be started shortly. The next step will be to build native quarters and stores, and later go on to a better class of house for Europeans, after of ficers are satisfied that they have obtained the best possible combina tion for a lasting and economic brick.

NG Highlands Stages Modern

Home Exhibition

From AAP-Reuter Correspondent In an effort to get the natives to provide themselves with better accommodation in their traditional style, a “model homes exhibition”—

This is a handsome example of coral-lime construction which is becoming a popular building method in the South Pacific. The building is for the Social Development staff of the Cook Islands' Administration, and has recently been finished at Rarotonga. Photograph below shows experimental bricks manufactured by the Department of Works in Lae, NG. —Top photo by W. H. Percival.

rith the houses built native fashion v ith native materials was recently organised in the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea under Administra tion guidance.

Better housing is needed now be cause more and more of the still primitive Highland people are dis carding their old method of greasing themselves with pig fat as protec tion against cold night tempera tures.

The exhibition also hopes to counter a current trend in which Highland natives are forsaking their traditional and suitably warm round houses to emulate the square and more draughty houses of the people of the coastal regions.

In the Highlands, although the days are mild, the nights can be very cool.

Round Houses and Square

One of the model houses at the exhibition, which is being held at Goroka, is round—an improved ver sion of the old-style highlands home —and the other is square, like houses on the coast.

The “modern” round house has an entrance 4 ft. 6 in. high instead of the usual 3 ft. high doorway and the walls are high enough to per mit the occupants to stand up in the building instead of the tradi tional low walls which necessitate constant crouching.

Better insulation is provided with a new type of plaited grass wall which ensures that the warmth is kept in at night.

Apart from the warmth of the round house, a factor in its favour is that it does not require much heavy timber in its construction — an important feature because there is not much timber suitable for building in the highlands.

The exhibition is stressing that, with the latest improvements, the round house is the home for the highlands’ climate.

But some of the highlanders who have been to the coastal regions to work are more impressed with the square houses which they have seen there and which they consider to be a step up the social scale from their traditional homes.

So the square houses being featured at the exhibition, are shown as being suitable for natives who are moving out of the tradi tional village standards and who possess and use blankets and warm clothing and understand the need for keeping them clean.

The Goroka exhibition was or ganised by the Assistant District Officer, Mr. lan Holmes, who de signed the new style houses and model village in connection with the Luluai (Headman) of the Yaviufa people of the district.

But It Could Drop Again Later

Indonesian Troubles Cause Rise In World Copra Prices

By PIM’s Copra Commentator

Copra interests appear to have been surprised by a ris of about £2 per ton in the world copra price, between mic March and mid-April.

THEY should not have been.

Indonesia produces from 25 to 33 per cent, of the world’s copra; and it was apparent, from the time that Indonesia seized the Dutch-owned inter-islands trans port, and thus shut off a large portion of Indonesian copra from its markets, that there could be a scramble for supplies.

After that shipping dislocation there came further dislocations caused by rebellions in Sumatra and the eastern groups of the Indies. The world is inclined to consume more and more copra, in the regular way; so any reduction of Indonesian supplies naturally set the prices rising.

Fiji growers immediately got better prices from the Carpenter crushing mill in Suva. Papua and New Guinea producers (and most producers in other Territories who market through Government controlled Boards) continued to receive the rates fixed in January, but with a promise of increased supplementary payments when the copra pools are squared up and final payments adjusted. Rates and prices are quoted elsewhere.

Copra Being Lost

A good deal of the Indonesian copra which has been shut out of the markets is being lost, and further quantities de-graded. But large quantities are stored and, at the first opportunity, they will be thrown on the market. This could have a depressing influence.

But it seems certain that Indo nesia’s copra supplies will be dislocated while the present politico-economic troubles there continue. The Djakarta Government now is rapidly over-running the areas which went into rebellion in February and March; and State owned shipping supplied by the Communist countries is now being introduced to the archipelagoes, to provide new transport.

It may be assumed that, as political order and shipping activities are resumed, Indonesian copra supplies will return to the markets, and the markets will react accordingly.

Australian destroyers Queen borough and Quickmatch made an official visit to Noumea in April and received a warm welcome.

Qantas Managers For Trade Promotion Australian Official For Fiji

• The Qantas manager in Fi 3 future will act as an agent of 1 Australian Commonwealth Gouc ment —the official title being T' Correspondent.

Although it is run quite iiJ pendently of the Government vice, Qantas Empire Airways a£ ally is owned completely by Australian Government.

In Sydney Morning Herald A March 18, the publisher of Pan Islands Monthly, Mr. R. W. Rob pointed out that, although * tralia spent millions across world on Embassies, Legations, 0 sulates, High Commissions, T] Agents, etc., Australia had noc ficial representative in Fiji. T] were Trade Department official many small countries; Aust:: sold Fiji goods worth oven millions per annum; yet Fiji ignored.

“What has Portuguese Tii and Cambodia and Trinidad that Fiji hasn’t got?” he askeo The head of the Methoj Church in Fiji, Rev. S. Gi Cowled, OBE, supported Mr. I son’s plea and pointed out thei portance of the growing relai ship between Australia and the British Colony.

The Minister for Trade, a days later, announced that,,; future, Qantas Empire Ahr managers in Fiji, Hawaii Mauritius would act as Austrg- Government Trade Correspond!: The system was commenced year in Kenya and Uruguay, had given excellent results. He ; that the action of Qantasa making their men available in i way was “a public-spirited gestid from which Australian trade wa benefit.

[?] arm Welcome From Lepers

Queen Salote Visits Makogai

Makogai, Fiji the island

►me of many lepers from Paci ; territories—has had many dis iguished visitors, but in late bruary it played host to its first

>yal visitor—Queen Salote, of

►nga.

UEEN SALOTE was on her way , home after vacation in New Zealand, and spent two days pecting the famous leprosy tlement. She spoke to many of ‘ own subjects as well as others.

Ihe reached the island in the yernment ketch Adi Maopa, and er being greeted by the Medical lerintendent, Dr. D. W. Beckett, i the Sister-in-Charge, Sister ry Felicitas, she was given a ditional Fijian ceremony of wel le. ’he patients later entertained the fal visitor with a feast, dances I kava. ►ueen Salote spent the night at special guest house built from ds provided by the Lepers’ Trust ird, and next day inspected tions of the hospital and some the villages before returning to r a.

with her typical warm smile, Q uee n s alote, in the top picture, is escorted by Dr. D. W. [?]ckett, and Sister Mary Felicitas, during her visit to Makogai. Below, the islanders fare well their Royal visitor from the beach as her ketch returns to Suva. —Fiji PRO.

Its First Mace

The new Legislative As sembly of Western Samoa was officially presented with its Mace in March.

The presentation was made by a special New Zealand Parliamentary delegation headed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. R. M. MacFarlane. It was the first time that NZ had presented a Mace to another Parliament.

A representative gathering of Europeans, Samoans and local schoolchildren saw the colourful presentation cere mony.

Mr. E. F. Paul, Minister of Economic Development and Leader of Government Busi ness, in moving a motion gratefully acknowledging the gift, said the Assembly recog nised its responsibility to see that traditions had to be established that would endure traditions of wise and honest law making.

tustralia and Dutch

lew Guinea

1 VENTS are moving steadily to I the point where Dutch New Guinea may be handed over by e Netherlands to Australia, or to e Trusteeship Council of the lited Nations, to be administered Australia in trust, along with fc former German New Guinea. \ survey of public opinion made Holland, early in March, indica l that the great majority of the itch people were in favour of iting rid of West New Guinea, a political embarrassment and unnecessary expense, rhe Dutch cannot see that the £e, undeveloped region can be of y use to them. Even if it were reloped, and made valuable, it ; right in the path of new Asia, v thrusting southwards. ?he only sections of Dutch who lose these views are the nmunists, who wish to attach st New Guinea to Indonesia, i certain commercial interests 0 hope that, by giving the •ritory to Indonesia, they may over some of the huge properties ich Indonesia has confiscated tn the Dutch. ’he Dutch, after what they have fered, will never give the ’ritory to the Indonesians.

Lustralia is deeply concerned, but es its official attitude behind Jens of words. The agreement de last November provided for exchange of administrative and v Guinea expert personnel ween Netherlands and Australia; the nature of the agreement was den until early March, when it disclosed by the Dutch. A night later, Australia’s Foreign lister, Mr. Casey, lifted the veil ttle, and showed how and why tralia is moving in. ustralia deeply fears the “Com oisation” of East Indies, which take place as the political and nomic structure of “the Republic Indonesia” collapses. Australia not interfere in the present '! but it is preparing for the jrmath. s has been pointed out scores :imes since 1945. in this journal, East Indies provides a handy d-bridge over which the Asian Is can invade the half-empty l . Peaceful countries of the South ffic The safety of Australia, 1 of all the South Pacific nines eastwards, depends on the hty of the government which ds the East Indies and New Dea. i a statement made in Canberra nediately after his return from

the SEATO conference, on March 22, Mr. Casey made it clear that Australia now recognises its respon sibility in guarding that gateway, and accepts its obligations.

Developments will be attended by terrific squawking from Soekarno cum-Communist sources; but there is little doubt that developments are coming, or about the shape they will take.

Australia thus must guard America’s Southwest Pacific flank.

Can Australia depend upon Ameri can help in resisting any Asian invasion of the Pacific? ☆ ☆ ☆

Red Vultures Wait

In Djakarta

THE indifference of the Western Powers towards the ultimate security of Australia and the South Pacific countries is shown rather strikingly by events in Indo nesia Soekarno, Jap-made dictator, al ways has hated the West; and, since the blundering Anglo - Americans (actively aided in the crucial years by Australia’s Leftists) allowed him to establish the “Indonesian Republic”, he gradually has moved into the Red orbit, especially in the last two years. Today, at Djakarta, the Com munists sit around the decaying body of the “Republic”, awaiting the feast, like a mob of vultures.

The Sumatra rebellion was a squib, apparently dead before it was born. But, for a few weeks, it seemed seriously to challenge Soekarno’s power: and in those weeks, ships and war-machines and technicians poured into Indonesia from Communist countries. They seem to assure (a) the re-establish ment of Soekarno’s authority and (b) the establishment of the Indo nesian Communists as the chief organised party behind Soekarno.

Any experienced observer can see what this means to Australia and the South Pacific.

It was foreseen, months ago.

But, although the Reds moved smartly to Soekarno’s aid, making it almost certain that a Communist administration will begin to function as the “republic” dis integrates, there has not been one counter-move from United States, or Britain, or any of the other Western interests which have been so systematically defied and humiliated by the Red power in South-East Asia.

It is not difficult to read between

the lines of the recent despatches of Denis Warner and other expert commentators on Far East-Pacific affairs. They do not actually use the words Western Demoralisation, and Abandonment of Australia; but much of what they say adds up in a way that gives the future an ugly look. ☆ ☆ ☆

Not a Number to

Call Their Own

IT is a remarkable thing that in both capitals of the S. Pacific’s two largest Territories —Fiji and Papua-New Guinea—there is no street-numbering and, of course, no letter delivery. Yet Suva now is a tidy and compact little city; and Port Moresby is getting close to that category.

Fiji’s daily newspaper exposed Suva’s shortcoming when it changed to early morning publication in 1956, and the citizens sought the usual amenity namely, early morning newspaper delivery. The publishers tried hard to comply— but it just could not be done.

Suva has five communities— European, Indian, Fijian, Chinese, and mixed. Necessarily, the names of residents confused the most painstaking paper deliverer. If there were to be prompt and accurate delivery, it had to be by street numbers. And there were no numbers—not a semblance of identification of houses.

The newspaper eventually got over the difficulty, in a sort of way, by persuading subscribers to pur chase from its publisher a tin container—the name of each sub scriber being painted on his little box and fastened in front of the residences. Up to a point, it works.

But it is a lot easier to find a number in a consecutively numbered street, than to locate John Smith or Ram Lai in a long thoroughfare.

Towns only a quarter of Suva’s size have regular letter-deliveries.

Suva is a town without this amenity.

Similarly, Port Moresby is without street-numbers, and until quite recently, a number of its built-up streets did not even have names. ☆ ☆ ☆

They Should Stop

Fooling About Manus

IT is about time that Australian politicians came right out and called Manus what it is—a refuelling depot—and stopped fool ing the electorate back home by calling it a Naval Base.

No one in New Guinea who has seen Lombrum, or has heard about

H from someone who has, was deceived by Mr. Casey’s duckings when he made a press utterance on his way back from a SEATO meet ing in March (see page 142 this issue) though thousands of main landers swallowed the line that Manus was still “vital to Australia ’.

Denuded of political rhetoric, Mr Casey’s statement meant precisely what a PIM correspondent said in the March issue—that Lombrum is a convenient place for dispensing fuel oil and hospitality to any US ship that happens to come along.

It is this persistent verbal sleight of-hand by Australian politicians, who just won’t own up, that leads Australians to believe they still have some sort of minor Gibraltar there —a base with offensive as well as defensive power.

Lombrum has neither. A moderate-sized block-buster of London blitz vintage would wipe the whole thing out—and if the enemy called during the few hours that Bulolo or Malaita are un loading stores, and everyone is on the wharf, a few mills-bombs would do the job.

In view of the development of long-range weapons, there had to be considerable reassessment of bases in the last 10 years. Even if the Americans had not been cast out of Manus by Dr. Evatt, it is problematical whether they would have maintained Lombrum as it was in 1945. Since then they have closed Pago Pago, which was their advanced Pacific base for 50 years.

We have to assume that SEATO and Australian defence chiefs are satisfied with Lombrum as it is at present, and that, if they were not, something would have been done about it. So its role is minor; in its present attenuated state, it could not be “vital to Australia ’, or anyone else.

It might—as the politicians are fond of telling us—be capable of rapid expansion if necessary; but it looks as if it could, with even less effort, fade away completely.

It has some assets beside its oil tanks: it didn’t cost anything; and it’s a way out where few people get to see it. But Australia has no “Bastion of the North” that couldn’t be taken by a couple of well-armed sub-chasers, and it is tune that someone said so.

World Affairs: A

Pattern of Oil

THE, world, divided into two totally irreconcilable camps— Individualism and Totalitari anism-goes charging ahead into a terrifying future—terrifying because it seems to be so completely un predictable. There is nothing in history to guide one.

But there is one almost constant factor in these world crises, as they arise. It is oil.

There was the Suez crisis, 18 months ago. It became acute when Nasser seized the Canal and Western Europe’s tankers could not get through. The Middle East crisis followed immediately, because a vast disturbance among the Arab States threatened to cut off or destroy the oil installations.

The developing trouble in Indo nesia is seen most in Sumatra — and the great oilfields of Sumatra supply much of the Pacific demand.

A president-toppling revolt in Venezuela has thrown that country

out of gear—and it is one of the Wests’ biggest oil producers.

The outburst in Tunisia last month came almost immediately after the first trainload of oil came out of the Sahara Desert for ship ment to France —a most important new factor in world oil supply.

To a degree that few people visualise or understand, the world’s transport is motivated by mineral oil. Nothing will more quickly paralyse a modern state than cessation of oil supplies.

That is why the situation that has developed in Papua is so up setting. If an oilfield is brought in, it could be of great tactical as well as economic importance to ah South Pacific countries. If boring is now to be abandoned, after 20 years of effort, it not only is a heavy blow to Papua: it also means that the South Pacific’s trans portation system remains in

definitely out on the end of a lin We then must continue to go Indonesia, Borneo and the Persi.

Gulf for our supplies, and thi places are far too close to t growing power in Asia. ☆ ☆ ☆

The Mystery of

Nikita Khrushchev

THE emergence of Nile Khrushchev as unchalleng Dictator of Red Russia, hes lined in the usual way by a scaj mongering press, represents notht new. This extraordinary peass. has been the complete boss of t Soviet Union for at least a coui of years. He is as unpredictable u as he was when he came out ii the limelight after Stalin’s deatW All that is new is that the danp can be seen more clearly. There danger to the whole world in ■ fact that this individual, by o turn of his finger, can prolong i Cold War, or plunge the natio into World War 111, or take defin steps towards disarmament and ' ending of atom-bomb research.

For what they are worth, indications are that he will try follow the last course. But it; anyone’s guess.

All that is certain is tl; Khrushchev is exceedingly cunnl and has had phenomenal suco in getting his own way. The mam in which all the prominent figix of the post-Stalin set-up—especis Malenkov and Molotov and Zhulj have been thrust silently ii obscurity, is most remarkable. A new departs Bulganin, so long chosen partner of Khrushchev,, many a drunken political frolic. , the Old Guard, only the Armeni.

Mikogan, remains.

With most of the famous lon national leaders of history—NT oleon, Hitler, Lenin, Mussol Peron—there was a personal histe a record of character, from whi it was possible to predict certf developments and events. W Khrushchev, there is nothing guide us. There is a peasant bae ground, an apparently coloun personality, a total absence of ; evidence of culture, or of statj manlike thinking. Yet Khrushcs must have something, to get wH he is.

Khrushchev, in his present sition, unquestionably is v dangerous to the West. But, s he is very dangerous to the Et There is much restlessness behl the Iron Curtain, grimly suppress out of sight. One lucky pot-shot ; of the dark, and the Soviet wt\ would be leaderless, and at mercy of the wolves.

No wonder the Anglo-Amerr air-bomb stations, which ring Communist Empire, maintain a i hours watch!

10 Shoulders With

hips for Nino

Nino Culotta, alias John (“Tusi ,la”) O’Grady, currently of West n Samoa, but author of Australia’s ;st-seller They’re a Weird Mob, ■educes letters that are as amusing i his book.

He modestly attributes the success his novel to publicity produced f the publisher . . and my n John. The same son, to ither with his younger brother, mis, are issuing exaggerated and Idly inaccurate statements about eir old man, and no doubt chort ig evilly when they think of him ting in Samoa fuming. Good >kes, my sons, but mighty leg llers—a characteristic probably lerited.”

For those who have been in iring: Nino is not going to visit ;stem Samoa but his creator is rd at work on another book. It 11 be treated with a similar mula —that is, it will supposedly written by a Samoan. As Author jrady remarks—there have been re than enough books written ?ut Samoans by Europeans and is time the other side had a go.

Ve fancy that he is going to have harder job with this than with 10 —especially as he expresses the ention of ignoring those local iticians who have a chip on their tulder. In W. Samoa this might Uy restrict the field, but Mr. 3-rady says he’s having a lot of i wilting the book as a spare ie job, and in due course we hope have a lot of fun reading it.

Defence Of

hovah's Witnesses

rom Mr. D. E. Hild, who de bes himself as “Presiding Min r for Australia and Pacific inds”: 'he first letter in my March copy Pacific Islands Monthly (page says that “ ‘Jehovahs’ Are In ma”. As the presiding minister Jehovah’s Witnesses in Aus ia and the South Pacific Islands, '■ould like to send a brief reply, /hen the writer of the letter ;es that Jehovah’s Witnesses used waylay passing troops and call b m potential murderers and liar names, he is certainly letting imagination run away with it • He would find it very difficult prove such a statement. Enemies r ehovah’s Witnesses try to accuse ni of doing such things, but the h Court in 1943 cleared us com ply of all such false charges.

'he letter continues: “These oyah’s Witnesses are in this dtry now and are causing trouble Jady.” Just what is he talking ut? The officials in Papua are .e aware of the work of Jehovah’s

Witnesses in the Territory and have not accused us of causing any trouble.

We are not out to cause trouble in any nation. Jehovah’s Witnesses are solely interested in Bible education and they spend their lives preaching and teaching the doctrines of the Bible. I suppose the “trouble” caused by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the mind of this individual is that they exercise their right to preach and teach what they believe.

Enclosed is a copy of our publications Awake! and The Watchtower.

Our publication, The Watchtower, is entirely religious. Awake! serves another purpose and it is not intended that all of the articles in it

Christian teachers? What was wrong with the Sir Hubert Murray plan of dividing the country into Mission areas, limiting the number of acceptable sectarian bodies, and admitting only one such body to each area?

That Pannan frncc d rapuail Liubb a Sydney reader says that the cross that “Sanasi” wrote about in March PIM (p. 21) is on Mt. Yule.

In clear weather it is frequently pointed out to passengers travelling on the regular Qantas service be tween Port Moresby and Lae. Why it is there he does not know, and a Qantas pilot with whom PIM

< 7 /te (sdlito.'Li,'

are religious. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim that the article referred to in this individual’s letter is a religious article. in conclusion, let it be stated that there is a lot of trouble in this world and none of it can be attributed to the uplifting spiritual work carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses world wide. .

Just Another Unnecessary Sect Uvon which fhp Publisher nf "PIM" mates ms commenU ' TTr .., , ... 1 we. knew little , J ®J lovahs Witnesses -except that it appeared to be another of many aggressive little sects that have come out of the world’s “advanced nations” in the last few decades for the confusion and bedevilment of nrimitivp nprinip? devilment ot primitive peoples.

Howeyer, we now have had occasion to examine the activities of this Sect among the Islands of the South Pacific, and we are of opinion that it should be kept under strict official surveillance and, where circumstances justify such action, it should be banished.

There may be particular reasons for keeping this particular organisation out of the Islands; and obviously it is not possible to discuss them here. But there is a general reason, also The Melanesians of New Guinea are quite incapable of understanding the differences which divide the various sects—and a large percentage of Europeans probably are in the same category. Why, therefore, should we permit all these different brands of Christianity to be introduced to these natives? Our generosity in this respect leads simply to waste, inefficiency and v • -x f sn ? e j ol ™ religious mstruction is desirable; but why should given by one or two or— at the mo s t—three kinds of

checked this information does not know either, T

»erntorians bather

n AAolhnurno m WieiUOUme Original members of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles have been meeting for an annual reunion in Melbourne for the past three years —and other old members visiting l l lat clty are cordially invited to attend, writes Mr. A. G. Vagg.

The reunion takes the form of a luncheon a few days before Anzac Day and then members meet again on April 25 for the march, w oni . „ - .. ..

Twr d n 2 W M elb o Mr VL Edwards,

?f r r ’ Clar Jf;

Duncan, Mi. J. Glover, IVIr. F.

Halford, Mr. K. Baker, Mr. J. Chis holm, Mr. J. Murphy, Mr. A. Wood, Mr. K. Gross Cant D Umnhelhv Mr A Vaee P y> ‘ „„„ . . , , = contacted at a Bluff Ave., Elwood, Victoria, .

Ownership of Well

w c . .

IxHOWn oUVB Hotel A . . . * Suva Professional man writes Jf. stll y x to Point out that Mr.

Vincent Costello is not the “owner” of the Garrick Hotel in Suva—he 18 lessee and licensee, The error was in a paragraph on Page 147 of February PIM, wherein it was stated that Mr. Costello planned extended amenities for the Garrick, especially on the ground floor. The sentence was “the large an d well-known Garrick Hotel, owned and conducted by Mr. Vince Costello”.

Most people in Suva are aware, of course, that the Garrick Hotel is part of the Garrick Estate, which includes several valuable properties in Fiji.

More Than Words

The most significant event of the month in New Guinea was not the statement on oil pros pects, or the apprehension ex pressed over income tax. It was the opening in Rabaul of the first Territory club for native ex - servicemen—of the P-NG Ex-Servicemen’s Association, an auxiliary of the RSL.

As Major Don Barrett said at the opening, “here is something t ang ibl e,” something “not foisted upon the natives by the long-haired dreamers of Can berra,” something “not domi nated by the Administration”.

And here, too, is something which shows the native people, whether entitled to join it or not, that the European is his partner, and that the wartime catch-cry of “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel” was not a matter of ex pediency.

If there was ever any doubt that the men behind the RSL in New Guinea are practical people, the existence of this club should dispel it.

An Old Chart Gave a Lead

French Expedition Recovers New La Perouse Relies

By a Special Correspondent in the New Hebrides

Relics recovered by a French party from the New Hebrides in mid-March confirm Captain Dumont d’Urville's siting of the wreck of La Perouse's vessel, “Astrolabe” on a reef off Vanikoro about 1788.

Local legend had it that the site was to the north-east, but this is thought now to be the place where the second of La Perouse’s ships

(“Boussole”) may have foundered.

IN March, the French Resident Commissioner of the Hebrides, Monsieur P. Anthonioz, and a party left Vila in the Condominium ship Don Quixote to explore the Vanikoro reefs. In the party were Reece Discombe, a diver of Vila, and M. Charles, an amateur diver of Santo.

In Paris last year while on leave, M. Anthonioz saw the original chart of d’Urville and noted where he had marked, in 1828, the site of the wreck of La Perouse’s ship. M.

Anthonioz and his party therefore concentrated on this spot and found in the centre of the submerged reef in Wreck Pass, on the SW side of Vanikoro, the anchor shown in the photograph herewith, some lead ballast, some hollow gold buttons, two coils of thin copper wire and some pieces of wood—the whole overgrown with coral. The relics were removed by blasting the coral with dynamite.

Several Anchors

In addition to the anchor shown here—it is about 9 feet long—were several other larger anchors, also buried in the coral, which were not recovered. These extra anchors were something of a mystery—but it is thought that they were the spare anchors that ships of that era carried in the hold for emergency purposes. When the ship was wrecked and over the years disintegrated they piled up one on top of the other on the reef—as they were found.

The anchor that was recovered is in such a precarious state of preservation that it is likely to crumble away into rust and dust unless treated in some way. A couple of feet have already broken off the shank.

The carefully planned expedition of M. Anthonioz and its results are exceedingly interesting but they did not “clear up one of the greatest of sea mysteries—the disappearance of La Perouse” as Australian news papers had it. That mystery was cleared up about 140 years ago, and at that time it had lasted something like 30 years.

La Perouse was a French noble man and had left France on his Pacific voyages just before the French Revolution. In 1787 he arrived at Botany Bay close on the

heels of Governor Phillip and the First Fleet carrying with it the first convict settlers of Australia.

Not Capt. Cook It was not Captain Cook whom La Perouse almost beat to Aus tralia, as so many people think.

And the fiction that Australia “could have been French” but for an accident of time, is probably just that. Cook had taken possession of the eastern portion of Australia in August, 1770, when he was far up the north Queensland coast —not in April, 1770, when he was at Botany Bay. When La Perouse arrived 18 years later, right after Phillip, France was occupied with political affairs at home.

When La Perouse sailed from Botany Bay he disappeared, and it was not until 1791, two years after the Revolution, a French expedition under D’entrecasteaux was sent to search for him.

D’entrecasteaux failed to find any trace of the expedition and this was left to a Captain Peter Dillon, of the East India Company, many years later.

Dillon was apparently one those seafaring adventurers typii of the period. He was for a per;' engaged in the sandalwood trs for the East India Company arou. the New Hebrides-Solomons as when he chanced to visit Tikopiaf Solomons outlier, he found one the natives with an elaborate swoc ornamented with the fleur-de-ty He learned that it had come frr Vanikoro where two ships had be wrecked and where two whitem were reported to be still living.

Went in Search Dillon was prevented by contrr weather from visiting Vanikoro, 1 he reported what he had he* when he returned to India and Company gave him, in 1828, a sm ship to go back to Vanikoro search.

In the meantime the French H heard of Dillon’s discoveries as d’Urville arrived at Vanikoro in i same year as Dillon. Both gather relics from the spot where Anthonioz, in March, 1958. d covered the anchors.

Both Dillon and d’Urville visii Sydney on their way back to Frai and this was reported in the nev papers of the time —a fact tL Sydney newspapers who repor the “end of the mystery” recen might note.

For his services, Dillon v granted a French pension for ; —the monarchy had been restox in France by then and noblera were again in popular demand.

Dillon wrote a two-volume wn on how he solved the mystery ■ La Perouse’s disappearance, copy of it is in the MitcH Library, Sydney.

FROM 170 YEARS IN THE PAST. This is the nine-foot anchor recovered by the rec[?] French expedition off Vanikoro, at the site of the wreck of La Perouse's ships about 178[?] It's in a precarious state of preservation. —Photo by courtesy of Reece Discomb[?]

By Tolala

“Ring Around Rabaul” was the title on a TV programme >n one of the Sydney Channels early this month, and I looked orward to seeing some old familiar scenes. But I was doomed o disappointment.

[E story purported to be the encirclement of the Jap main force at their Rabaul base by ;d (mostly Yankee) airmen, but shots of the bombing squadrons >ping their eggs could have been inhere. Let’s hope Posterity may i records of a more local setting ime goes by, preferably by an >ie camera. a half-hour screening one saw ling but Jap troops leaving in for their southward thrust; ;le fighting (which could have i anywhere—but certainly not md Rabaul) and flight after ;t of US bombers and fighters. )t a sign of an Aussie —not even r uzzy Wuzzy Angel”. No Coast hers or AIB. The Macarthurisa of Rabaul was an epic feature :he Pacific War, but not as m on that TV programme.

Is For |ress ie aristocrats of the Pacific — Tongans, Samoans and Fijians e proud of their sulus, mal and lava. How much more appro ve and dignified do the wearers ar as compared to the “dressed spectacle of the Papuan in s! ke a look at the cover photo be March PIM, and the mem of the Fiji Military Forces. j would have lost much of their ral dignity if they had been ■ing the shorts so much ured by the P-NG Forces, rely the goal of the western le, disseminating the advan -5 of civilisation, is attained if lical hygiene and mental edu ►n is inculcated to the “under leged”. Is it so essential that sociological attainments as ern dress should also be forced i them? this synthetic age we are too y impressed by outward ap ances and that does not mean Ing them into pants and petti 5.

Pacific

i Spots

>ee where Publisher Robson got self into the Letters to the >r page of the SMH on 19/3 58

pushing a worthwhile barrow for Fiji-Australian good relationship.

Australia’s casualness as regards outside countries who have a natural tendency to trade with her, is widely known But now in these days of high pressure salesmanship other tactics have to be adopted. For many years (and I think it still prevails) the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific has been represented in Sydney by its agents the old firm of BP & Coy in Bridge Street, and this arrangement has worked out well for many a year, despite the fact it is a survival of the wind jammer days. Now one hears (whether or not prompted by the Robson spur to activity one can only surmise) that Qantas Airways are to become Australian Trade Agents in various hitherto “blind spots,” including Fiji.

One wonders who in the P-NG Services acts as guardian for Aus tralian trade interests other than the Customs Tariff. That will be something to watch in the future years unless I am much mistaken.

"The Ships That

Linked . .

Toagoba’s story of the old BP copra catchers and Island liners (PIM, March, p. 82) was good to read.

An item which might be of interest concerning the old Moresby (the first regular steamer on the NG run) is the fact she was the last BP steamer to call at a German NG port when the Nord Deutscher Lloyd shipping firm received the monopoly for shipping services in the old German colony, and was the first BP steamer to call at Rabaul after the occupation by the Australian troops in the First War.

Shipping Justice, I suppose you would call it.

It was the idea of W. H. Lucas, Island Inspector for BP at the time.

And that same gent years before had been supercargo on the old Titus, a BP trading vessel through the Solomons and the Hebrides.

Toagoba might have heard that tale of Mr. Lucas and the Titus and a passing skipper of a rival firm.

I should like to hear from Toagoba on his reminiscences of

some of the old skippers who were as picturesque and as interesting as their floating homes. Such men as Mortimer, Voy, Mclnnes, Donaldson, Williams (Taffy and Cyril), Rothery and many another. All men who did pioneer work, not only for the Old Firm, but for the islanders.

A Bougainville

Poet I always get a kick out of Noelle Mason’s verse, and I am not the only one. She has the happy faculty of picturing by words what most of us have (or have had) to put up with amid our tropic surroundings.

A poet, says the dictionary, is “one possessing high powers of im agination, expression etc.” and those are the powers with which a dis criminating God has endowed her.

It would be nice to be able to buy a volume of her verse one of these days. Let’s look forward to that day.

Incidentally, Inus must have something that puts its residents in the limelight. (And I’m not thinking of Paul, whose war record is world famous) I am thinking of “Wee Bobbie” Scott who lived there once and w r as a regular contributor years ago to Sydney’s Bulletin.

The Dangers of

Centralisation

“Something has gone wrong,” says Dudley Jones, MLC for NG Islands electorate, according to a report in the PIM of March, when he aired a long-standing grievance of huge expenditure of revenue on Port Moresby and Papuan interests in comparison with expenditure to the old Trustee Territory. According to his figures, Papua’s European population was only half of NG’s and the native population only about one-third: ye I finance for building was 52.4 per cent, for Papua and 47.6 for NG, and of a grant of £1.3 million for NG a mere £1,500 had been al located to Bougainville.

Whacko the UNO critics safe guarding the Trust Territory!

This is the sort of thing that causes civil rebellion—the main source of trouble which has brought about the present “Indonesian” in cident where Java, the seat of gov ernment, was spending all the monies received from the produc tive areas of Sumatra and Celebes.

This sort of thing won’t work out indefinitely, and Canberra pooh bahs must realise this, too. Isn’t it time the Konedobu shrine was decentralised a bit?

What gives when native inde pendence comes around?

Are They Outworn

Customs?

Reading John Gunther’s remarks about NG Culture (PIM, March, p.

one is mainly impressed with cynicism about native cultures, ;ir arts, crafts and what-have j. I think the worthy Doctor must re Jrad his tongue in his cheek en dictating that address, tnyway, it doesn’t reflect much dit on him as an Assistant Ad listrator of a Territory which is posed to maintain its old tradi is et al providing they do not flict with law and order, ohn Gunther appears to have ; any sympathy, since becoming [ Ack, which he previously main led with native tradition and y of Life. I would hate to think has become just another Yes i of the deified Department ch pushes its pawns about on P-NG chess board, nd talking of arts and crafts: s hope that the move for the tolishment of a Territorial jeum to house arts and crafts of ive Life is a success. If Keith Earthy is given his head he ild be able to show results if one can. hope he can dig out some of genuine old-time pieces of ve craftmanship like the white, le-bone, mother-of-pearl en ited walking sticks from Aua ad, or the old-time Buka money inely-mounted flying-fox teeth; line King Spears from Buin or e of the phallic symbols of the Tolais around Rabaul. ) doubt German and American sums are well stocked with these ve antiquities, but we should ; them in the land of their i. Antique-collecting, like ity, should begin at home.

te Wings

Sea ith the sinking of coastal vessel uria last month off Long Island, her long-remembered name will truck off the register, but pos to be entered later with the ching of yet another Nuguria. ie original vessel of that name one of Queen Emma’s fleet and itened after that plum of her erties the Feads. Another of fleet was Irene. th had beautiful lines and were vn to Islanders from Vanimo asmans, carrying supplies, pick up copra and recruiting labour, and sailing craft were a sure to look on in those days • e the Speed Age. No mildewed long unfurled because the en was so much easier and cer. pt. Komine—Rabaul’s Japanese iul and the original owner of talai in Manus ran the anuia, carrying a top-sail and fastest thing in NG sail. It was remodelled, after his death, re-named Asakaze. en there was the three-masted Da > belonging to the DHPG,

skippered by the black-bearded Captain Peters, recruiting NG labourers for the company’s plantations in Samoa. And many others whose names I have forgotten . . .

Come again Nuguria, if only to keep old memories alive.

A Ministerial

Look-See look aee Senator Spooner, Minister for National Development, spent a few days in P-NG at the beginning of this month. The projected cessation of oil searching was a suitable excuse, though one wonders what he could do about it exactly. Other matters of a geological nature to occupy his mind were extensive search for nickel deposits and the

matter of declining phosphate ex ports from Nauru and Ocean Island, The closing down of oil prospec ting and/or drilling in the Terri tory will certainly eliminate a few milch cows which have been supply ing material benefits for the Ad ministration for a considerable period.

But 15 not be y° nd powers Q f possibility that some mug com pany may come to light with the payable fluid within coo-ee of where old bores have been put down. (As a rough tip I would plug for the Matapau area which I mentioned last month).

Perhaps the worthy Senator on his ten days’ tour has been in formed of other potential natural mineral resources which, in the

5t have created erstwhile interest, ; which now, with modern mech sation and know-how, could be ae assets to the Territory and F Commonwealth. ’o quote a few previously dis ded ventures: t Tin and other minerals not far Sant from the Kupei goldfields, severed by German explorers, i Iron ore in the Bainings. i Sulphur from Lolabau Island the NB coast.

Brown coal deposits in New find.

Phosphates in the Purdy Island a?- Iways providing, presumably, t such developments would not ersely affect Australian primary ►rests. Otherwise: No dice. In se days a country’s development 5 not necessarily depend upon natural resources, but whether se natural resources, if de ped, will affect existing panels, els and other interests. And ; is just where P-NG may find bit uphill.

[ Long

issed away to a well-earned rest Ifred John (Jack) Long, a well vn identity who had a host of ids in TNG dating from the y ’2o’s, and one who made life h easier for many a New leaite of every colour. >r many years Jack had been [edical Assistant with the Ad istration and was untiring in good work of healing. He was icularly well known in Rabaul down in Buka. Before joining PHD he had service with the •oboard on various plantations ughout the Territory. For some s he had been in indifferent th. He died at the Repat. Hos at Concord, NSW on Febvu -21, aged 65. He left a widow to rn his loss.

First esman ie current Territory Apprent ice- Scheme has turned out its fully-trained apprentice, who ved his trade certificate from inistrator Cleland last month, is Boe Arua, a letter-press linist in the Government Print office, Moresby. His father (ap ntly without any organised ap ticeship scheme) had worked the Government Printery at ssby for 41 years, e printing trade seems to be vourite vocation for apprentic natives. One of the first ap tices turned out by the German rnment in NG at Rabaul in t 1911 was a Caroline Islander, is Eluel, who was still going ig when I visited Rabaul in worked in both the German

and Australian Government print eries and later with the RdbauL Times up to the Jap invasion. Sev eral Matupi natives were also ap prenticed to the Rabaul printery in the 1920’5. I remember Wesley and Torimu —both later Luluais of Matupi and both excellent comps; the latter was also a very fine book binder.

Other natives apprenticed in those days took up plumbing and tank making with none other than genial Gilbert (“How’re yer Mate”) Renton. The apprenticeship business is not such an innovation in NG as some people would have us be lieve.

Bits and Pieces Passed on: Desmond Maurice Max O’Connor on March 29, of Kincumber, formerly of Papua.

Aged 66 years . . . Mary Stella Mil bcurne Marsh on March 13, of Mittagong, mother of David (Port Moresby).

Married: Noreen Waller, of Sea forth, to Keith Joseph, of Madang, in Sydney on March 29.

Engaged: Meryl Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. I. Woolcott, of Wahroonga, to Philip Lloyd Harry, of Belmore . . . Valmai McConnell to Dennis Anderson of Finschhafen.

[?]or, Mixed-Up Kids"

[?]He Dilemma Of

[?]O-Bathing Sign

(By a Special Writer)

liere are a lot of Poor, Mixed- Kids in the Territory of >ua-New Guinea at the present e. and they aren’t all natives. [E current hullabaloo over Euro peans Only in the old swimming hole at Port Moresby is a symp ie story is that the agitation lave the Ela Beach signboard ich indicates the European iming area) taken down began i the visit a year or so back the Methodist evangelist, the Alan Walker. The sign was, it said, an affront to the natives; ms as bad as South African theid. le storm blew up again recently though the heart-burning is coming from Europeans on be of natives rather than from natives themselves. » doubt there are some amongst newly-enlightened native intel itsia who, if the direct question i put, would find the sign an nt, but the ordinary Port Bsby native never gives it a ght and never would unless the t atmosphere were not so as msly prepared for him by well ling Europeans.

PM residents searched their i they might agree that, ethi r, that sign should come down, why stop there? There are a a things that could move over make room for this New Phil hy which the Territory (ad stration and residents) sub es to with one hand and takes with the other. ere is this business of female e. All old residents will warn ■chum females: Never wear shorts —legs excite r e men beyond endurance.

Never wear low, revealing tops our dresses (which seems an prohibition in a community ■e the native misses—whose s are usually far more ex g than the average European ewife’s —wear just no tops at Back to Neck-to-Knee , if they are to do away with :gated bathing in Port Moresby, must suppose that European s, in order to have a foot in camps, must go back to the -to-knee blue serge bathing

costumes of our Victorian grand mothers.

Then there is, of course, the busi ness of segregated movies which not only prohibit natives from at tending the same movie-theatres as Europeans, but through censorship, commit them to a dull diet of news reels, Mickey Mouses, and cowboy pictures, while their European counterparts can revel in the lusts of the flesh through the medium of Hollywood celluloid.

Is this fair to the natives? There probably are a lot of people who could prove that it was not.

So, all-in-all, this appears to be the Moment of Great Confusion in P-NG thinking: A time when old iambus left over from those dread ful days of Colonialism brush roughly against the New Thought when the indigene is to be elevated to our side—but fast—and all un fortunately complicated by the clumsy paternalism of the P-NG Administration.

This mass muddled thinking is reflected at all levels.

From the Administration in its half-baked new native labour regu lations which have not yet got through the Legislative Council.

Down through the European resi dent who does not know whether his women should clothe them selves wholly against the gaze of the natives or whether he should tear down the Europeans Only signboards.

Tasks Too "Menial"

To the natives themselves: the 10th grade clerks who fancy physi cal toil degrading; the stiffly starched Girl Guides who won’t scrub out their own club house because the task is “menial”; or Rarua Rarua, MLC, who in perfect English can read a speech in favour of the proposed new requirements for native labour quarters (“the natives want so much to have

houses like Europeans . . .”).

It is hard to see where P-NG is heading out of this Point of No Return. Maybe one solution would be to take a page out of the French colonial book—make all natives full Australian citizens, remove all re strictions, and let nature take its course.

Many would get hurt—but it would remove forever this terrible will-we-or-won’t-we that is now tearing Moresby citizens to pieces —and might even convince the natives that “houses just like Euro peans” do not really come from the bloke who is running the local Cargo Cult.

An extensive campaign to promote Pacific travel will begin in America shortly, to catch the winter trade A Pacific tourist survey, subsidised by the US Commerce Dept., will also start soon.

[?]alcanal Gold

[?] Ld Time

[?] Rospectors

Special to PIM red Ball—one of the last of

older, tougher race of pros

ors—has gone.

! was one of the old hands vhose pluck and endurance vould shame many a young ; one of the old hands prepared it up with any hardship in the ing hope of one day making h strike beyond the next ridge, died in Palmerston North, Zealand from a stroke red in a restaurant, e history of gold on Guadal l would not be complete with some notes on Fred Ball—the Pirate”—as he was affection known. was so completely sold on the lects of gold mining on lalcanal. His great regret that his health could not [ up, and many times he said ?, “If only I had found Guadal . 20 years ago!” first visited Guadalcanal in Originally from Cornwall, he already had a lifetime of ig and prospecting experience id him and was a mining nality in Nigeria, the Gold ; and elsewhere in the British ual Empire.

Enthusiastic

was very enthusiastic about (old potential of Guadalcanal, ugh careful to say little at the fortunately he suffered a is illness and it was 1952 — ears later—before he returned e scene, with another mining eer, Mr. John Broadhurst, ; on instructions from the Dn Tin Corporation, arrival they met with a dis ntment. Their main objective, old-bearing Kovagombi Valley Is on the Sovohio River, had taken up by the Clutha opment Company, er, the Old Pirate ventured on a prospecting trip into the known Betilonga Basin, il hours walk south of ira, where fine gold was found, had some difficulty with the ss, who were not used to I Europeans there, geological survey party later fered substantial lodes there, the plans for prospecting tions on Guadalcanal fell igh suddenly when the London

Tin Corporation decided not to go ahead.

Another Disappointment

Fred Ball, although again dis appointed, was not deterred.

He had set his heart on a small gold-mining lease on the Sovohio River just upstream from the Kovagombi leases. He built a house and named it “Dunroman” as this was to be his last venture.

Although then 57, and not as strong as he used to be, he walked many times the track across the oven-hot several-feet high grass of the alluvial plains from “Dunroman” to the Nalimbiu River. This was then roadhead; here he had built a Fijian-style thatched house as a depot.

His teething troubles with labour were many, and there were times when he was forced to carry his own pack alone these many miles, and sleep in the swampland where he found himself as night fell.

Just when things began to go well, and his unusual method of mining the gravels had begun, Fred Ball, through showing his boys how to work, did a little too much—and had to leave the Solomons for hospital in New Zealand. “Dunro man” was slowly reclaimed by the jungle.

Yet, in spite of his doctor’s orders, it was not long before he

was again on the job, drilling for gold on the Jaba River in Bougain ville with engineer Broadhurst, again for the London Tin Corpora tion.

Near where the river gorge enters the wider valley, earthquakes tumbled the rock walls into the stream and more than once shook the party from their beds. Photo graphs were received in Honiara of the Old Pirate—looking fit and wearing still his old felt hat, and resplendent with a beard dyed black with potassium permanganate, to hide his years (so he said).

Very little work had been done before once again Fred Ball did too much: while exerting himself and cursing the light drill stuck in the heavy boulder gravels, he suffered a stroke, and was again flown home to New Zealand.

He "Believed"

He recovered from this blow, to everyone’s surprise, and also from the added complication of TB. But another stroke killed him.

Fred Ball was probably right in his belief that he could have made something of Guadalcanal if he had found it earlier. But it takes a man with his strength and spirit to appreciate it.

He was perhaps the last of the great tribe of persistent prospectors

ATTRACTIVE NEW ISSUE. Australian stamp designs frequently have many critics, but the new Papua-New Guinea issue, to be on sale on June 2, should cause no complaints.

The design of the current issue of 3½d, showing a Chimbu with head-dress, will be retained, but the new issue will be in black instead of red. The new 4d issue shows cocoa pods (in vermilion), the 7d shows the Commonwealth New Guinea plywood mill at Bulolo (grey green), the 1/7 shows a herd of Poll Shorthorn on the Baiyer River livestock station (red brown), and a 5/- stamp (not reproduced) shows a coffee stalk in bronze-green and brown red. P-NG's first stamp issue, of 15 denominations, was made in 1952.

spared to suffer hardships as a itter of course.

What young men of today would prepared to do the same in the iinary course of events? Too

;en a government geological

rvey is asked to serve up a mining jposition complete with all trim ngs on a plate; and unless this done, nothing happens. Fred 11 knew better.

When next I visit the gold-bearing per Sovohio I shall look around i jungle tangle that marks the 5 of his house “Dunroman”, and 1 not be surprised if I should ir the familiar voice of my old md from down below on the er bank, and the sound of gold iring gravels being shaken skil ly in an old prospector’s pan. ■’or if Fred Ball hears of gold rond those Pearly Gates of aven, he will be out again rching for it —and will find it anyone can.—JCG.

[?]e Metcalfes

[?] ire From BSI

The Rev. John R. Metcalfe, who for the past seven years been d of the Methodist Mission in British Solomon Islands Pro orate, and Mrs. Metcalfe, left islands in February to live in toria.

R. Metcalfe has had 38 years . of missionary service in the Solomon Islands. Mrs. Metcalfe, ) was Sister Ivy Stanford until marriage in the 1920’5, has d in the Solomons for 42 years, [r. Metcalfe was appointed to the non Islands in 1920 as soon as become an ordained Methodist lister in Victoria, where he had ady spent some years as a me missionary”. At that time as a missionary was not without ger in the Solomons, e is the last of the Methodist sion workers, originally appointed ;he Australian Methodist Mission rd to work in BSI. i recent years the Methodist sion there has become the >onsibility of the Methodist irch of New Zealand, and the sion stations are now staffed New Zealanders. [r. Metcalfe expects to give a f period as a minister in Victoria )re finally accepting super lary status. or much of their long missionary ice Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe lived the island of Choiseul. They e there when the Pacific War £e out, and Mr. Metcalfe re ned through part of the anese occupation. Eventually he other missionaries were evacua by the American forces.

When the Japanese were driven out of BSI, Mr. Metcalfe returned to Choiseul to re-establish the mission. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe transferred to Roviana, in New Georgia, in 1951, when Mr. Metcalfe became chairman of the Methodist mission district in succession to the late and famous Rev. John P.

Goldie, who had then retired after nearly 50 years of mission service.

At one stage Mr. Metcalfe was stationed at Teop, on the north coast of Bougainville, as the first superintendent of Methodist mission work in Bougainville and Buka. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe have often been referred to as model missionaries,

They have been much loved by the people of BSI.

On January 30 hundreds of native women of Roviana gathered to say farewell to “Marama Metcalfe , £L e i r c l^?i he s ra ‘ n “ ; c f e ew of p t ’ he ol^er women ‘ SO me of whom had been girls under the care of the then sister Ivy Stanford 41 years before. Each of several women speakers referred with affection to “Marama’s” love of the mission people, her care of the sick, her readiness to help wherever needed, her words of en couragement and guidance, and her personal interest in each one of them and their families.

OH, I LIKE THAT! A typical scene in Suva these days when a tourist ship arrives—and more and more seem to be arriving. An Indian pedlar lays out his wares on a street stall —and the visitors go over them with a sharp eye. —Fiji PRO.

Apricot-Coloured [?]rcelain [?]e's Heir To A

• Are sea snakes venomous? Mr.

G. Hicks, District Commissioner, inus District, Hew Guinea, says t, and on board the “Malaita” in bruary gave an accident-free nonstration of snake-charming ) right).

HE snake was one of several collected by the crew of Malaita and destined for ronga Park Zoo, Sydney. The 5W of this ship give up a lot of le to keeping the zoo supplied bh tropical fish, etc. Special ated tanks are installed on the at deck.

Vlr. Hicks is the present custodian the famous bath-tub imported ring the latter days of the war an American general for the use visiting film star, Carole Landis. ie visit was a sensation at the ie, and many are the stories told out it—for example, the incident the spaghetti that during a nquet in her honour fell from r fork and, to the embarrassment the Brass Hats, lodged in her iple bosom. rhe general’s quonset house at rengau has, with a bit of

renovation here and there, now become the District Residency— and there still sits the bath —a huge diagonal tub set in a square of apricot-coloured porcelain, mute memorial to the war, the Yanks, the base they built up and now is no more, and finally to the film queen who had an untimely death some years later.

Mr. Hicks is a bachelor. He is not addicted to apricot-coloured porcelain, and prefers a shower bath.

Americans In The

North Pacific

Undertaking Scientific Research —En Masse

By a Staff Writer

• It was said in World War 11, as we watched enormous forces, both human and material, piling into the Pacific, that the Americans never send a boy on a man’s errand —they usually send two men.

THIS is true also of the United States’ peacetime activities in the Pacific.

We have received from Mr. Harold J. Coolidge, Executive Director of the Pacific Science Board —he has been visiting the South Pacific—a 10-years’ review of the Board’s field programmes, up to the end of 1956.

There is no doubt that the Pacific archipelagoes for which the Ameri cans are responsible—and especially Marshall, Carolines, Marianas, Guam, Ryukyus, Okinawa and East Samoa—have had the full treat ment.

The Board has been responsible for the formation of CIMA, SIM, ICCP and SIRI. For the uninitiated, these represent Co-ordinated In vestigation of Micronesian Anthro pology, Scientific Investigations in Micronesia, Invertebrate Consult ants Committee for the Pacific, and Scientific Investigations in the Ryukyu Islands.

176 Specialists

During the ten years 1947-1956, the Board, through these channels, and directly, initiated, supported and carried out a great deal of basic research. It fully employed no less than 176 specialists, and as sisted another 69 scientists in pri vate research.

By South Pacific standards, there are not many people in those North Pacific groups except perhaps Okinawa; but, in ten years, the scientists have examined and re ported copiously on their ethno graphy, atoll culture, anthropology, social organisation, land tenure, subsistence economy, psychology, native money, political factionalism, vital statistics, problems of re settlement, languages, botany, hy drology, marine zoology, ento mology, geology, marine biology, icthyology, forestry, nutrition.

No one can question the useful ness of the work. But how does America find the huge funds neces sary for such projects, while vir tually financing the free world in carrying on a global Cold War?

Dust-Up Over

[?] G Native Art

What Does The Future Hold For [?]G Artifacts?

By a Special Writer

Two visiting collectors of tive art had something of a ling out in New Guinea re ady, and as a result officialdom s been taking a more than ial interest in the export of

ifacts from the Territory.

’ is possible there might be an alteration to the regulations controlling art exports, rhe recent argument was between ) collectors from America —both whom were on a buying tour of i Territory, collecting objects for ale overseas, lowever, when the time came for material to be exported, one lector got a permit for the ects to leave the country (and y left), and the other didn’t, ’he collector who missed out was lly annoyed. He flew back to Iney and indignantly took the tter up with Canberra, le wanted to know, probably urally enough, why fish was de of one, and fowl of the other, 'he irate collector was given a ipathetic hearing, and the tter was eventually adjusted— h collectors ending up with their objects.

Sidelights

ut some interesting sidelights ie out during the barney. One ector accused the other of ing too much money to the iyes for their work, and thus ling the trade for those coming later. nd the other alleged that it i also possible to take advantage the natives by paying them too e—and that the other collector i doing it. ; was also brought out that rt from these regular visits by rseas collectors, there was a ;ain amount of trafficking in facts by private NG people, who de money as a sideline, here are regulations in the ritory which enable the Admini ition to keep any art objects it its in the country by forcing exporter to sell it to the nmistration. u^i. a PP these are not tight much into use and some rseas collectors have privately ressed scorn at the arrangement auss, as one said recently, “Who New Guinea knows the difference

between good art and junk? Who in Australia knows the difference?”

Two Opinions

In the Territory itself, there seems to be two schools of thougnt as to what should be allowed out of the country. One school says that every effort should be made to keep genuine art objects in the country, before the time arrives when there will be nothing worth while left.

The other says that the Terri tory is not equipped to preserve the material even if it were collected, and that it might as well go to overseas’ museums, where it can be appreciated, as rot at home.

These are things to be said for both these arguments. But there are two facts that appear to be inescapable.

They are that Australian museums are getting precious little of any thing worthwhile from P-NG and that many art collectors, who are in fact middlemen, are making money from NG art that perhaps could be made by the Australian Government.

FOOTNOTE: A late report says a P-NG Co-Operative’s officer, Mr.

C. V. Single, has been appointed purchasing officer for the Territory museum. He will tour the Territory looking for suitable antiques so that they will not be lost to P-NG.

How to Read An Annual Report Pitfalls In The Cooks

From a NZ Correspondent The Auckland Star, in its con tinuing and highly laudable cam paign to present Cook Islands affairs to the New Zealand pub lic in a series of temperate and well founded articles, found it self in holts with Island Terri tories Department in March over an unsigned article and an edi torial about leprosy in the Cooks.

The material appeared on March 4, and late in the month it appeared the Star had lost the round, although not—Cook Islands resi dents will hope—the bout.

The Star’s error was an un fortunate one. Anyone whose business it is to try to interpret government annual reports knows how difficult it can be to sort fact from official cover-up gobbledegook.

Added to that is the term “year” used in such reports.

When a New Zealand annual report refers to 1958, for example, this means the fiscal period from April 1, 1958 to March 31, 1959 and anything that happened in the first quarter of 1958 did not happen in 1958 at all—that was 1957.

It was into this pitfall that the Star slipped, as well as into another, similarly concealed.

Late in February the new Minister of Island Territories announced that New Zealand was to step up its drive to eliminate leprosy at Aitutaki, and some figures were given which were certainly disturbing.

As a result the Star, doing a little research, came across a SPC report published in October, 1954, and compiled by Dr. Norman R. Sloan, a leprologist who had made a survey of the situation as it existed in May-June, 1953. This report was a grim document and it made recommendations for meeting the situation.

No Reference to Visit The Star found that there was absolutely no reference to Dr.

Sloan’s visit or to his report or its recommendations in the Cook Islands annual report of the year concerned—or of any later year, for that matter, and that the recommendations had not been implemented.

The Star, aware also that other highly critical medical reports on

The Changing Face of Rarotonga

The changing face of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, is shown in these photographs taken [?]or "PIM" by W. H. Percival. TOP shows the new offices and stores block of the United islands Traders, Ltd., now being built to replace those destroyed by fire last November. [?]e bulk store will be erected on the rubble area, foreground. CENTRE picture is Mr John [?]arnngton's new store at Avarua, Rarotonga. Mr. Harrington sold out his Aitutaki in [?]trests. BELOW is the new U.I.T. trading store, erected in 16 days by Mr. Kati Heather's [?] nstruction gang, under contract.

00k Islands health in later years id received negligible if any ention in the Cook Islands ports, assumed that the Sloan port had been deliberately ppressed and the newspaper led strong terms in adopting this sumption.

But due to the difference in fiscal id calendar years the Star made 1 error in its leprosy figures, lich only further seemed to nfirm the assumption of suppres m of facts.

On March 13 the Star published statement from the Minister in lich he pointed out this error in ;ures. He also pointed out that e SPC report could not have been .blished except with the express thority of Island Territories ipartment.

Phis was proof, the Minister said, at there was no suppression of ;ts.

He also pointed out that there '.s a reference to Dr. Sloan’s visit, t in the report on the Cook ands but in the Department’s n annual report—an entirely jarate publication which, in large asure, usually summarises in ich less complete form, much the material contained in the >orts of the separate Island rritories —the Cooks, Niue, the kelaus, Western Samoa, etc.

Che Minister did not explain why ;re was no reference to the an survey in the report in ich everyone would expect to d it—the Cook Islands report, fhe Minister’s correction was blished by the Star without nment; but this was apparently t enough. )n March 21 the Star was made get right down and apologise, said, in part, the Star . . . “has eived a communication claiming it certain statements in the icle were defamatory of Mr. J.

Wright, Secretary of Island rritories, by giving the impression it Mr. Wright was responsible failure to render correct tements of the position”. The

ir . . . “unreservedly expresses

regret . . . has certainly no ire to publish an incorrect tement reflecting upon the egrity of an individual civil vant, and it expressly apologises Mr. J. B. Wright for any mis ;en impression which might have n created”, fowhere in the Star's articles or torial had the name of any civil vant actually appeared, nor was 1 blame expressly placed on the iretary. ’he incident did emphasise, vever, that the Cook Islands lual report doesn’t always pass to the public all the available ts or even a reasonable indica -1 of where these available facts y be located. No doubt these isidiary reports can be located aewhere —but why are they not luded in at least outline in the lual report?

[?] lebrating Their Golden Jubilee

[?]He Trials And Triumphs Of

• The Anglican diocese of Polynesia, whose headquarters is in Suva, s year celebrates its Golden Jubilee. Official celebrations will taken place ween May 28 and June 4.

HE Anglican church was estab lished in Fiji, in 1870, but the position, so far as the creation a separate diocese was concerned, s regularised only in 1908 —and the years immediately after, It ised through many vicissitudes, t is remarable, that in the 50 ,rs of its existence the diocese ; had only two Bishops, Bishop C. Twichell, who was consecrated 1908 and resigned in 1921; and present Bishop, the Rt. Rev.

S. Kempthorne, who has served ynesia since 1923. tost of the diocese early troubles e financial and of this the flee issue of the Church Gazette this to say: rhe appointment of the Rev.

C. Twitchell, Rector of All lows’, Poplar, as Bishop in 1908 ned to solve these, but he was t out with totally insufficient port, and after surviving the culties caused by the 1914-18 and having used up much df private capital, he resigned in ust, 1921. his appointment he was )lved in a complex legal action nt the Campbell Bequest, an te which had been bequeathed

3r the will of the Hon. John ipbell for the establishment of ishopric of Fiji of the Church Sngland. This estate produced annual income of never more i £230, and it fell as low as He knew little of New Zealand oistralia, and only towards the of his term as Bishop did he n to receive support from iralia.” shop Kempthorne is a New ander but had worked in ria and Malaya before being ecrated at Lambeth Palace pel as Bishop in Polynesia.

The financial troubles of the church in Polynesia have not been missing during Bishop Kemp thorne’s term of office either —but they have been considerably less acute. In the post-war period there has been erected in Suva the very handsome Cathedral —monument to

the support of local Anglicans and to the energy and enterprise of the Bishop and his clergy.

Polynesia is, of course, a mission ary diocese which includes work amongst the Fiji-Indians and the descendants of the Solomon Islanders who were brought in as indentured labour. From Suva also, work in Tonga and Western Samoa is conducted.

But alone amongst missionary diocese of the Pacific, the Anglican church in Polynesia has managed to bring with it—probably because of the men who belong to it—much of the atmosphere of the English parish, and much less of the proselytising that can be expected from most branches of the Christian church in the Pacific.

Rector of St. John's Church England, Forbes, NSW (Rev.

C. Crowe ) appealed to his ngregation in March for oney to alleviate ”the serious lancial difficulties at present setting the Anglican Mission New Guinea”. He said there ight be retrenchments among issionaries unless money was

imediately forthcoming.

[?]apuan Economy Could be Affected

[?] No Oil, Papuan Boring

Since Vacuum Oil interests in February (see page 27 of March PIM) announced that it had no more funds for further oil-boring in Papua, after June, 1958, the possibility of a major oilfield being found in Papua has become more remote.

[NTIL the end of March, the I other two partners in the search for oil (the partners were lerican Vacuum Oil, 45 per cent.; itish Petroleum, 45 per cent.; and [ Search, mainly Australian, 10 • cent.) had not disclosed their entions. But a decision had to made —another £BOO,OOO had to found, somewhere, if the present •ing programme were to continue, [he Australian Minister for tional Development (Senator xmer) went to Papua at the end March, engaged in some con duces, and then announced; »■ The operating companies (Aus lasian Petroleum Co. Pty. Ltd., 1 Island Exploration Co. Pty. 1.,), owned by the three interests ned above, wished to retain their search area in Papua for about months. 1 It was proposed to complete ee bores (Komewu, Barikewa and i), and put down another one, ru.

Vacuum Co. would contribute more money after the completion the three current borings.

Negotiations were proceeding ler which the Australian Com iwealth Government might pro j a subsidy of £250,000, to allow remaining partners in APC to e the fourth hole (Kuru).

The three current bores would completed about August and (if bent plans were gone on with) fourth hole in April, 1959.

The companies did not wish to render the area in which they struck a good gas flow rikewa).

There was no indication of any tinuance of the boring (which i continued for over 20 years, cost £A3O millions) after April, I, but the whole situation could nge overnight, if an oil flow e discovered in any of the four is named. xperienced observers will watch new Kuru bore closely. That t is regarded as having the best cations of oil in the Papua field far examined. [eanwhile, owners of Oil Search . shares are still hoping.

Papua's Economic Outlook

essation of oil-search activities cut severely into the economy of iua, which in recent years has Listed itself to an annual APC

expenditure of at least £A2 millions.

There is possible compensation, however, in the plans of the British Aluminium interests to develop, with Purari River hydro-electric power, (or, alternatively, with gas

from that Barikewa bore) a huge industry on the South Coast of Papua for the refining of bauxite ore brought from new bauxite fields in Cape York Peninsula and Arn hem Land.

The Australian Minister, also, while in Moresby in early April, talked of the possibility of exploit ing valuable deposits of nickel in the Territory. But that, as yet, has not got far beyond the stage of wishful thinking.

We should not lose hope while a single drill is exploring the petro leum possibilities of Papua; but present indications are that Papua should get ready to take up a couple of notches in its economic bfelt.

(See Finance Editor’s Comment, page 164)

For The Cocoa Planter

By Pat Robertson, in New Guinea.

- Wouldn’t it be nice to slip down to Australia every now and igain in the role of "Planter” from New Guinea? To enjoy the ound-eyed wonder of the females as they listen to the fairylike tales tf life in the tropics, wallowing in luxury and surrounded by servants?

r OULDN’T it be nice to lavish champagne on your friends; to sit into that poker game where sky’s the limit, to be the idol [ the envy of the males in the v Guinea bar? Wouldn’t it be ; to have acres of cocoa produc their lush pods at £4BO a ton? fho wants to be a millionaire? fell if you are prepared to recog ; and contend with “mealie bugs”, g moth”, “panthorytes”, “cater ers”, “capsids”, and “ambly a”; if you are prepared to sweat work in sweltering jungle; to d your house, and to exist for 29iths before you see a cacao pod, t you are on the way to your : million.

Trek into the Forest

r ith axe over shoulder, or with natives with axes, you trek into rain forest. This is the land have leased for your plantation which costs approximately £lOO acre to clear. ou are anxious to get those ns in and see those trees grow- But believe it or not, you won’t i plant a cacao bean for six iths. You plant lines of shade s (Lucaena Glauca) 13 ft apart maintain them for six months )re planting. i the meatime you are still clear building your house, digging any rosewood there is around Jause these roots carry fungi to cacao), feeding and housing r labour line, and managing to >t yourself. This is costing you

about £4O an acre for the first nine months —and no returns.

At the end of the first year— you’ve planted the beans (you should have 222 cacao trees to the acre, or unit, each one of which has cost you 12/6).

Rising two years the trees have cost another 5/- each, and from there on good maintenance is going to cost about £55 an acre a year.

This includes native labour, super vision, housing and insurance.

You are starting to gloat now— -29 months from germination the tree is supposed to bear —you’ve possibly seen the first tiny blossoms covering the wood, and had a cele bration when the first pods were picked. But don’t be too jubilant, you’re a long way from that first million.

The third and fourth years, when the fruit is coming, is very im portant and a strict watch on hygiene is a full-time job. Care lessness with refuse can spread disease and fungus through the whole plantation of young plants and bearing trees. The crop, although not rotated, when fully planted finishes up with perhaps seme areas 12 months behind the oihers.

In areas where there are “wet” and “dry” seasons, shade trees are cut out at the beginning of the wet to allow the foliage to grow again for the dry. And, of course,

These photographs, taken at Mr. N. C. Osborn's Tamiloa Plantation, about 10 miles from Lae, New Guinea, show cacao pods being taken the fermenters, and the wooden fermenters in operation. Banana leaves are placed on top of the fermenters, and bags on top of those.

At the breaking up cacao pods, looking here like watermelons, are smashed with knives or mallets, after which the beans will be put in the fermenters.

ie constant watch for pests is laintained.

Never Ending

The process of clearing, planting lade trees and maintaining them ) the stage where the new cacao in be planted continues all the me.

In some countries the cacao is anted out from nurseries, but most ew Guinea growers prefer to put ie beans (two or three in holes 15 apart) into the prepared ground.

The best specimen—chosen for its tape and roots—is later left, and ie others destroyed.

Nature usually endows young ,cao trees with an intuition and means to control their bearing, lis enables them to throw off the rplus pods and keep enough to >urish. But some take no notice, i haywire and overbear. These ieducated ones have to be watched id relieved of their burdens and e breaks sealed off.

The older trees, too, have to be itched for the growth of chupons, suckers, which grow from the se and branches of the tree, lese chupons have to be cut off refully and the scar sealed with wax to prevent fungi entering the eak. you’ve been working hard all this ne; you’ve managed to eat, to ild some sort of a house, and to >d and clothe the children. That tall friend of the cacao grower— small fly called “Forcipymia” has ne his work and pollinated the wers; the pods are growing fat d its time to get the fermenters *dy.

There are big wooden boxes. Even oden dowels are used instead of ils as the metal would cause idisation and blacken the bean, ie boxes are lined with banana ,ves and are known as banana if ferments.

Your First Cheque

Mter picking, the pods are carted the fermenters, where they are )ken up. The beans are put in J fermenters for six to seven days, ned and aerated at 24-hour in vals. Then they are taken out d spread on galvanised iron, lere they are turned and moved ■ three to four days to dry. gging and marketing follows— d you’ve got your first cheque, ifou need it, too, because by this i are nearly broke, or badly bent, d you may have to form a com ny, and others will help you reap s ultimate harvest.

But if you can hang on for another *ee years, working, clearing, plant ; and supervising; if you can sp the place free of pests; if the ttom does not drop out of the irket, and if you are still alive, u can sit back and watch the >ney roll in—although not exactly million.

Ferred To Melbourne

By “Sanasi”

WHEN Australians were evacua ted from NG in World War 11, many evacuees settled in Brisbane, where they formed a group called the Queensland New Guinea Association.

They became an active body, and perhaps their best activity was to provide bursaries for children of women whose husbands were killed in the Islands.

Naturally, since the peace, the number of members has dwindled, yet the association is still active and

at the last annual meeting held in Brisbane on March 8, the retiring president, Mrs. Gladys Forsyth (Rabaul) announced that the credit balance of the bursary fund had been transferred to the Melbourne NG association.

Among those present were Mesdames Mona Bruckshaw (Rabaul/Madang), Doris Kendall, Maude McPherson, Norma Thorn thwaite (all Rabaul), Nora Sinclair (Wau, who is the new president), Kitty Slee (Rabaul/Kokopo, re elected secretary, her address being 11 Gorban St., Holland Park, Brisbane), Min. Battis (Madang/ Rabaul/Namatanai), and Messrs.

Reg Beasley (Sepik), Ernie Slee, and Syd. H. Chance (Manus, for Pacific Islands Monthly ).

Useful Honour, When [?]ur Bags Are Lost [?] Harry Luke Takes a [?]st Look at the [?]Pacific

Until I saw Sir Harry Luke, ner Governor of Fiji, recovering lost luggage, within minutes of sailing of the liner for London March 18, and getting it put ird as the gangways came down, ways had regarded a KCMG as more ornament than practical ow I should like one of my own, the emergencies of travel, ir Harry arrived in Sydney by on March 15, from Polynesia, left his main baggage with air 's officials, to be placed in his in on the ship at Pyrmont, and t off for a weekend with old nds in the country.

Tien he went aboard on the i. within sixty minutes of Ing-time, his luggage was sing. Urgent inquiries availed ling. No one connected with liner had seen the bags. No seemed to care much —they said vas too late to do anything, ir Harry’s friends went furiously i action. They traced the 'age finally into a Qantas truck id no one knew where the truck ir Harry sat forlornly on a ling-bank in the wharf shed. He ight he would stay on in Sydney, se his bags, and try to connect i the liner in Melbourne, t the last moment, the Qantas :k appeared, and a very hot and lered man brought the bags to Luke party.

But the liner’s baggage-master was all gloom and pessimism. It was too late, he said. Customs (or someone) would hang, draw and quarter him if he put the bags aboard without official sanction.

One of the passenger’s friends took the matter up with vigour.

“Look”, he said. “This is Sir Harry Luke, KCMG. He was met at Mascot by an official from the Premier’s Department, and that official made the arrangements with stt S irVaV Ug bf g penaS th^arrangements not CaiTy ° Ut the arrangements.

The KCMG did it. The baggagemaster perceptibly wilted. “All right, well put your bags aboard,

sir”, he said. “But Gawd knows what those Customs blokes will do about it.” . , . , , b rawn y shouldered headed for the gang in' Farewells were hurriedly said.

“Sorry to leave so abruptly”, said the former Governor. “But I’m n .ot going to let that lad out of my sight.”

dolf

S ?uth Pacific - He carried away with him a portfolio of notes, for the book on the South Pacific Terri tories which he is to write for

Oxford University Press.-

Rwr.

Sir Harry Luke, KCMG

[?]ed by a Pikelet, or— TRY THE LONG WAY HOME JUST ONCE

From JUDY TUDOR, in New Guinea In spite of the march of time, New Guinea travel still has many raps for the unwary. In a general way it is still far easier to get ourself into a place than out of it. This was my undoing.

mid-February, between two chores, I embarked on a leisurely nine-days’ journey by ship, Lae dang - Lombrum - Lorengau neng - Rabaul. I was decanted Rabaul on a Thursday, which e me just the two days equired for my business there ren by Qantas on Saturday •ning direct, to Lae to pick up Skymaster for Moresby, in ity of time for the opening of Legislative Council on Monday, •ch 3. hat’s what I thought, at when I bounced into Qantas :e on that Thursday morning, mnounce that I “had asked for ooking” on Saturday’s plane, I informed sweetly but firmly ; I was. of course, only fifth on waiting list. shall draw a veil over the sequent proceedings—except that he next 20 minutes they con ed me to my entire satisfaction I hadn’t a hope-in-hell of ing out of Rabaul that side of : Tuesday. But they did admit, ctantly, towards the end of the resting conversation, that they a vague idea there was another ne in the Territory, called idated Airlines, and that —yes, r did think the latter had a it out of Rabaul on Saturdays.

All Full Up MAL found itself the same happy position as tas —full up, with waiting list, iturned to the pub to lick my nds. had either to reconcile myself dssing the Legco meeting (which one reason why I had gone 3 -NG in the first place) or it

now was time “to know a man that knew a man”. To cut the story short—this man knew things to such good effect that I found myself booked out of Rabaul at dawn Saturday, by MAL, for Lae— the long way round.

This meant that for twice the normal Rabaul-Lae fare, I was going to see from the air, in 10 hours, all the places I had just spent nine days viewing leisurely from the sea. In addition, there would be two more touch-down points—Wewak, on the mainland

coast, and Goroka, in the High lands.

At least I was manoeuvring my self into a position where, if the milk-run plane were not held up anywhere, I could make Port Moresby during Sunday. The journey itself seemed dreary in the extreme.

But I was wrong about that. It wasn’t the most entertaining day I have spent in New Guinea—but it certainly was one of the most interesting.

These long-way-round planes are primarily for carrying native labour to their new jobs or returning time-expired labour home. There fore, European passengers are in the minority and the plane is of the freighter type, with canvas or metal seats along the side of the unlined fuselage: and any freight offering is stowed under nets in the middle of the floor. (Over)

Wewak's modern new international airport building. But just where it's international to, nobody knows.

But on this occasion I was intro iced to a small dark cupboard unediately behind the pilots. In is cupboard are half a dozen black ;tal boxes, marked DME— ssponding Type, and so forth; *ctric motors, and a few miles wires and cables; a few bits of jgage; the plane’s papers, in a 11-dog clip; and, fitted sideways, 0 blue leather aircraft chairs ed permanently in the upright jpare-for-ditching position.

Quivering Ear-drums

Dne of these seats was mine, was infinitely more comfortable in the seats outside—but there re certain drawbacks. In that ice, the engines seem not more in two inches from your vering ear-drums; and there is way to look out except by nding up, so close behind the its that you are breathing down back of their necks, lere and there along the way, the day wore on, we would pick Europeans and drop them again ther on. Some would come to re my cupboard—but rarely for re than one hop. t was too noisy—you couldn’t see —it was too sick-making—it* was hot. ; was all these things; but by ; time I was so completely unated by the place nothing rt of a bomb would have dis ced me. You can travel the sh air lanes of the world, all 1 Carpets and champagne cock s—but5 —but how often do you get to ;here, on the spot with the pilots, nigh the abracadabra of seven 3-offs and landings?

Lire— l’ve travelled in De Havil 1s and Drovers, where a single t pumps handles and pushes ehes in full public view. But ive always had the notion that, hese bigger jobs when the crew ppeared behind that door, they jably guided the plane with a while they played gin-rummy naybe cooked themselves a meal, ot so. On the ground the pilots r act like aerial super-cargoes, iting natives in and checking ves out; dredging up a bottle range cordial from somewhere m lot, tiny airstrip building and ing a European child a drink; ring cargo and scribbling madly sheaves of paper. In the air different, and two pilots of Queen’s flight could not give e attention to full routine, here is the black-magic of take and landing, when they touch y confounded thing in the cock muttering some incantation 3h sounds like “Automatic pilot, s. tanks . . .” Then, with two s of hands on the dual controls, 1 are off into the business of nally-always, foolproof flight, here was only one rift in this of my happiness. Something

Id happens to my metabolism the air, and although normally worry little about food, once aloft develop such hunger I soon could te pieces out of fellow passengers.

Pangs of Hunger

Somewhere between Kavieng and omote, then, I began to regret icerely the spurned tea and toast dawn, and think sadly of the urs ahead before Lae at five the evening. It was clear, from e contents of that cupboard I labited that not so much as a ermos of coffee would be forth ning from that plane.

But when I went into the onset-hut terminal at Momote — ;re, sitting alone and unattended, s a huge plate of pikelets, flanked a teapot and cups.

Sveryone else in the place was ihing around with pieces of paper madly figuring, and ignoring this inty. I did my best to prove, whoever provided it, that it was ; unappreciated.

Vhen I was wandering around h my fourth pikelet and second ) of tea the Chief Pilot, larently having observed this, ne up and said pointedly that would get something >to eat Madang. Would I like a salad?

When do we get to Madang?” isked. ibout two, I was told. It was then a.m. I rushed off and got ither pikelet and came back and 1 a salad would do fine, thank . very much. ‘here is nothing much to dnguish one of these New Guinea strips from another —except that a round trip like this you are to get seven different varieties weather in the same day. But mote will for ever be associated my mind with pikelets; and dang with the best salad and ee ever—although eaten in a m marked Crew, hot as a furnace i thick with the fumes of a Dsene stove. o—these outport NG airports V only in the size of the tin-shed ting-room—all except Wewak. some reason, I had never been k to Wewak since I left it per lently just before the war. But new Wewak was no relation that. Gone was old Boram itation where we used to occupy ?race-and-favour, leaf-thatched se on the Point, when waiting the Macdhui. Instead, there is airport, with the best terminal dings in the Territory.

International, No Less r hen some more swamp is filled md the run-way enlarged, it will an International Airport, I was ut International to where? No can say. is international now in a minor —the last stage out of New nea to Hollandia, NNG, and the ■ one coming back. But that

doesn’t warrant the present set-up.

Maybe someone has plans—plans for a new Australian route to the Far East. * * * Somewhere after five, we bumped down out of Goroka’s rain into Lae’s hazy sunshine, journey completed.

I thanked the pilots for an interesting day and they looked at me as though they thought I was crazy—as well they might. They had done the same trip in the reverse direction the day before, and were basking in the knowledge that they would not be flying again until late in the following week.

But even after the noise of those engines had faded from my head, I

still thought the long way round an experience everyone should try at least once. Take the short way home always, and you miss an interesting facet of New Guinea life.

And where else in the world do you get such pikelets as those at Momote?

Nature could hardly have been more co-operative during the present 18-months IGY period which commenced last July.

So far almost every phase of nature has co-operated with the scientists. • There has been intense “sunspot” activity, with accompanying brilliant auroral displays and magnetic and radio disturbances. For the first time for many years some of the auroral displays have been seen even as far north as the tropics. • There have been vigorous hurricanes, some following unusual tracks, in season and out of season. One, in the Marshall Islands area, sent huge, damaging ocean swells to points as far away as the Cook Islands and Tahiti. • Conveniently accessible volcanoes have obligingly erupted so that they might be studied: and severe earthquakes have occurred in several parts of the world. • Oceanographic research vessels, groping in the oceans’ greatest deeps, have brought up all sorts of interesting specimens—like the enormous sharks’ teeth brought up by Witjaz in Micronesian waters. • H-bombs, unwittingly, have contributed to the knowledge of Pacific ocean currents. Even artificial satellites, sometimes reluctantly, have taken to outer space.

All that s wanted now is co-operation in the form of fine weather and clear skies for a few minutes next October for the observation of the total eclipse of the sun in Polynesia.

Area"

A 39,000-square-mile area sur rounding the US nuclear testing ground in the north-western Marshall Is. has been declared a forbidden area from April 5 until conclusion of intended tests, probably some time in August.

[?]e Biggest Cruise Ship [?]r 25 years

Real Hula

Welcome From

Arotonga

From Gordon Russell For two weeks or more drums d throbbed in the villages at ;ht as teams of dancers polished

their items for the big day—

s day the Norwegian cruise ship

rgensfjord arrived.

IE was the first substantial cruise ship to visit here for some 25 years. look Islanders excel at putting on show, and they were now ripe present the big entertainment gramme planned with the local imber of Commerce, jnong the first to board the iptuous Bergensfjord was a wel ling party of teacher-trainees ler the leadership of Raitia luretu. His traditional challenge, 1 their song and dance, went m well as an after-breakfast etiser. .arotonga roadstead can be an fholesome spot and for days past local officials had been quietly ying for a break. The night )re had been boisterous but n broke with promise, y 9 a.m. about 340 tourists, ch was most of them, plus the v. had been brought ashore in ship’s launches. umerous “covered waggons” al trucks with palm leaf can !Si each with a teacher-trainee hiide, were lined up to take the sts to the dancing arena 'at 1 beach.

Dancing of the hula variety is common to central Polynesia, Samoa and Hawaii, and is now much debased in form as a result of European influence, lecherous and otherwise. But it can still be seen to great effect on rare occasions, and it is likely that Rarotonga offers the best chance of glimpses of something like the real thing.

Certainly the technique of the accompanying drummers is as virile as anywhere, comparing favourably with any recordings available from more sophisticated centres.

Hosts for the day were the Takitumu tribe, and on this, their territory, five Rarotongan district teams competed for acclaim, by ballot, as the winners of the contest.

The items that followed were an eye-opener even to blase local residents, satiated with hula. In contrast to the usual hula skirt of dress or shorts, headdresses and costumes were in most cases ingeniously contrived from local materials.

As for the tourists, they were a seasoned group (average age 65 years), rather blase perhaps, but the dancing brought a genuine response and pleasure at the sight of so much unsophisticated charm.

Only one thing rocked them; the prices asked by some curio dealers sustained by fantastic dreams of falling beneath a shower of American dollars.

Rugged Colonials

Perhaps the most notable feature of this visit was the demeanour and bearing of the Norwegian crew, in such contrast to that of the rag, tag and bobtail that seem to blot the togbooks of most cruise ships seen in Pacific waters these days Commodore Olaf Bjornstad, the rotund and cheerful master of the Pergensfjord, was very proud of them. It was not uncommon to see blonde young Norwegians bowing from the waist before rugged colonials, whose great grandfathers had run away from such old world lavender and lace.

the "Bergensfiord" anchored in the rough [?]rotonga roadstead. —Stuart Kingon.

[?] hat Incident [?]t Bena Bena

[?]Not The Slightest

[?]Escuing Survivors

PlM’s review of the latest Aus alian war history, The Japanese

hrust (January, p. 65) created

ide interest. The interest went juble in regard to the Bena ena incident, which was re

nted in the review.

IHE historian recorded that one . party of weary Australian survivors from Rabaul had ached Bena Bena, in the High tids, where they had been told ey would be evacuated. But at ma Bena they learned that only e American crew of a crashed mber would be flown out, and the istralians had to keep walking.

Eventually, according to the itorian, four aircraft—two Boston 24’s, a DH-86, and a Spartan )th —were lost attempting to ;cue the Americans, h February, PIM published a ter from a NG man who said he s in charge of the walking party. said there was no DH-86 but •ee B-24’s, and gave some other its which he asked PIM to pass to the historian.

Since then, another letter has ;n received from Lt.-Col. B. G. wson, now Australian Trade mmissioner in Auckland. As he ntioned a well-known ex rritorian, G. W. L. Townsend, we it a copy of his letter to Mr. (vnsend and asked if he wished make any comment. The two ;ers are published here, n view of the previous letter ty could be a little confusing, but ■ answer probably is that there s more than one walking party the time and that all our respondents have not been erring to the same incident the torian had in mind, lut if anybody else wants to ffi in, they are welcome.

-Col. Dawson’S Letter:

noted with interest on page 65 your January issue, a panel cribing how one weary party of e Australians, who had escaped m Rabaul, were informed at l a , Bena that tho y must walk to t Moresby, while American air w were flown out. was the leader of that group of y sick Australians, and I did the k. It may interest you to know t the aircraft was an Australian Dragon Rapide flown by an stralian New Guinea pilot, Jerry itland.

We were informed that the instruction to deny to us Australians these Australian facilities, while granting them to the Americans, who were in good health, came from an Administration Officer named “Cassa” Townsend.

I have never met this gentleman, but have often wanted to.

No doubt this is another example of the Chief of Staff’s policy, as related by the History, that the Rabaul forces was “expendable”.

It is clear that the Australian Service Chiefs did not have the sightest intention of rescuing any survivors of the invasion.

A few of us survived, in spite of them.

B. G. Dawson, Lt.-Col. (R. of O.)

Mr. Townsend’S Comment:

I remember this also of a crash of Americans at Aiyura.

However, the only aircraft I had any control of in those early days (loading only) was the Ford which did several trips to Bulolo. I did insist there, on the aircraft tools and other special tools being loaded (this on instruction from Moresby) and I did deny loading of a packet of gold which a Mr. Simpson wished to get out. Simpson had boxes and boxes which we had no room for (did all contain gold?) and I believe he finally buried them.

I had no control over any aircraft, neither American nor Australian.

Any instructions Pentland got must have come from Moresby.

G. W. L. Townsend.

[?]Eacher Offers Praise And Criticism:

Three R's Important, But Tonga Needs More Technical, Agricultural Education

In Tonga, one can't help being impressed with the feeling of educational awakening in the air, as if Tonga is emerging from its winter of neglect and obscurity into a spring of en lightenment and achievement.

rT is true that the buds are open ing slowly, ever so slowly, and that the standards achieved in the illage schools are often depressingly [>w, but this is due not to any lack if goodwill and encouragement rom the present government, but o the legacy of inadequate and oorly equipped schools, and the iard core of untrained teachers, sft behind by the neglect and dis interestedness of former times.

But signs that point to a brighter ducational future are: • The steady building of new shools to replace old ones and to ope with the ever-increasing :hool population. • The development of teacher 'aining that was commenced only 2 years ago. • Improvement of teachers’ ilaries that will raise the dignity f the teaching profession and at •act better recruits to it. • The raising of the standards i the post-primary schools by the iffening of the requirements for ne Lower and Higher Leaving Cer ficates. • Development of Tonga High chool which aims to bring selected udents up to the level of the New saland School Certificate. • Selection of students for Lgher education in New Zealand aining colleges, universities, and ichnical schools. • The desire to seek the help id guidance of more trained uropean educational personnel.

Most of these improvements have ie worthy aim of producing better tters for the cultural advance of onga. But when one considers ie steps that are being taken to iprove the educational, technical id cultural advance of the great ass of the present youth of Tonga is more difficult to see encourag g signs.

"More Craftsmanship"

No attempt has been made to an an integrated, comprehensive heme of education covering all ipects of development. As a re lit, the whole educational system lop-sided with far too much em lasis on its academic side and r too little emphasis on its tech cal and agricultural side.

While one cannot decry the value r a good, comprehensive, academic

education as the means of forming an enlightened citizenship, it is true that one of the most urgent im mediate needs of the Tongan people is to improve their skill in craftsmanship so that they can build and repair dwellings and in crease their techniques with tools and machines, thereby increasing their usefulness as villagers, far mers, tradesmen, and transport drivers on land and sea.

But no training in the use of tools is given in the primary

schools, only very few secondary schools have woodwork or engineer ing facilities, and there are no wholly technical or manual train ing schools at all.

Moreover, the academic training of the primary schools is itself done only half-heartedly because of a reticence on the part of the teachers to make any serious at tempt to teach English.

The Education Department, be cause it believes that English is the key that will open the doors to the wider realms of cultural, literary, and scientific advance, and because it has neither the staff nor the means to produce school textbooks in Tongan, officially encourages the teaching of English.

But, despite the fact that its syllabus of instruction printed 18 years ago lays it down that teachers in the top classes of the primary schools must teach wholly in English, I met only one teacher who had sufficient confidence to do so.

One of the really frustrating things about Tongan education i! that there are so few opportunitie: for boys and girls to carry on then education after they leave school.

The usual channels of educatior available to adults in moderr society are the Press, the radio, anc the cinema. But in Tonga th< paucity of any kind of literature printed in the vernacular, apar from a few church publications almost nullifies the value of learn ing to read Tongan; and at presem the great mass of the people have not attained sufficient competence in English to make use of Englisf books and magazines.

Need for a Paper What a great influence a Tongar weekly or fortnightly magazine could have as a means of enlighten ment and further education!

The schools try to stimulate i child’s interest in the outside work by teaching geography and history but this interest soon flags withoui any radio giving local and work news, talks, or entertainment ir Tongan.

The radio, too, could perform ar important educational func t i o r through broadcasting model lesson! to schools. The cinema is taking up an increasingly important amoum of the Tongans’ leisure time and if probably the sole opportunity most of the people have of utilising the meagre amount of English thej have picked up from the schools.

It was really pathetic at times to watch the young men ol Kuku’alofa, with no cultural outlets such as youth clubs, communit> centres, or libraries, sinking intx an apathy of disillusionment re lieved only by the wild-west picture shows or the clink of balls in the billiard saloons.

I shall never forget the feeling cf futility that oppressed my spirits when, after inspecting schools on the lonely out-lying island ol Mo’ungaone in the Ha’apai Group, I sailed away knowing that I was leaving the inhabitants to a mental isolation that no Tongan newspapers or Tongan radio could penetrate.

It is really surprising in a country proud of its Christian tradi tions to find so little appreciation on the part of the Government of the work that the churches are doing for education.

Just a half of the primary school population of Tonga attends schools staffed and supported by the vari ous churches, with the Methodists predominating, while three-quarters of the secondary scholars attend Mission colleges. Yet the Govern ment gives no subsidies on the building of church schools and no grants to mission teachers.

In face of rising costs the Missions are finding the burden of support ing their schools increasingly hard

to bear, and a more generous financial co-operation between Gov ernment and Church would make for happier relations and increased 3ducational efficiency.

Eight Suggestions

To sum up, these are my sug gestions for the improvement of Congan education: (1) Provision of better school mildings with separate rooms for sach class, and desks for each pupil. (2) An increase in the number f teacher-trainees to overtake the ag of uncertificated teachers still emaining in the schools. (3) Provision of better facilities or the training of skills and crafts i the schools, and the building of a schnical school in Nukualofa with dvanced trade training, (4) Printing of more and better sxtbooks in Tongan for the use of le primary schools. (5) Granting of building subsidies n d staffing grants to Mission ffiools. (6) Publication of a magazine or ewspaper in Tongan for the dis jmination of local and world news nd the improvement of culture. (7) The setting up of a Tongan roadcasting station to abolish the olation of the scattered villagers ad to inaugurate broadcasts to ;hools. [A station is expected to 3 established in 1959, according to recent report]. (8) Promotion of adult education trough youth clubs, community mtres, and circulating libraries.

More Money Needed Of course, if the arrows of these forms are not to fall short of teir targets, they will need a eater financial impetus than is ven to education at present. It ems to me that there are two >ssible ways of doing this; • Increase the proportion of gen al revenue that is spent on educa >n. In 1953, only 7.9 per cent of wernment expenditure was de ted to education, a proportion that lower than in most modern untries. • Depart from the traditional ►licy of free education, either by king parents to pay a small fee about £1 a year for their tiool-going children, or by in tuting a small education tax of, y, 10/- a year which the whole lult community should pay.

Tonga is a young country sperately striving to fill an in sasingly worthy place in the roily of world peoples. But un >s it makes greater financial orifices to provide a better educa rial environment for all sections its people the spring of its de loping enlightenment will drag 3r so slowly towards the summer its cultural maturity.

Mr. Crane last year completed a three-year term as principal of the Teachers’ Training Col lege, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. During that time he travelled through out the Kingdom, assisted in the inspection of Government and Mission schools, and gained an insight into the Tongan educa tional system, which he dis cusses in this article. Mr. Crane is at present teaching in New Zealand.

Is Worth It

By a Staff Writer

• A series of colour films made l>y the Commonwealth Film Unit in Papua-New Guinea last year are now beginning to reach Australian picture theatres.

The first of them, called simply “Papua and New Guinea” gives an outline of what the Administration is doing for the natives in the way of health, education and and producer Maslyn Williams gets a bouquet for some pretty good film-making.

Some of the colour shots of local scenery are breathtaking, especially the mountain scenery.

There are plenty of Pacific islanders with balmier palm trees and better beaches, but for what the travel agents would call “rugged grandeur”, you have to go to the New Guinea highlands, or the inland mountain areas of Papua— and this film will prove it to a lot of people.

The film has one weakness. It lays on the Administration propa ganda too thickly. A film as good as this one is its own propaganda.

It doesn’t need heavyhanded help from a script writer.

What With British,

Americans And Japanese

Scientific Influx Brings Problems To the N. Cooks

From a Special Correspondent

The march of science is no<

very popular in the Northern

Cooks at the moment, and thu

unpopularity has quite an inter

national flavour.

There are complaints from Penrhyn landowners that the Cook Islands’ Administration has servec them a raw deal in stationing troops on the atoll during the Christmas Island nuclear bomb tests last year.

And there has been comment on the fact that diving for shell ai.

Suwarrow will have to be suspendeo later this year while a Japanese scientific team observes the totaj eclipse of the sun on October 12 About the nuclear complaint, th* Penrhyn version of the story is tha; landowners were offered paymem for the use of land on which tin American and British military im. stallations were to be set up. Tht Penrhyn people however decided t« forego payment in favour of a deaf whereby they would become tht. owners of all buildings, equipment and supplies which might be lefi behind when the troops withdrew..

Buildings Seized

The troops eventually withdrew leaving certain buildings and ; large quantity of petroleum proc ducts in drums.

According to the Penrhyn report the buildings were prompt!;; seized by the Administration ana disposed of to selected people. Thr petroleum products were seized ana sold to ship-owners and other conr sumers. The Penrhyn Island Counr cil has had the matter under diss cussion in Rarotonga.

The Japanese astronomers wen originally supposed to have planner to make their eclipse observations from Pukapuka or Nassau, in thr Northern Cooks, together witd American astronomers, but it ha 3 now been announced officially thas the site will be Suwarrow atoll.

Japs Well Equipped

Permission has already been r© ceived by the New Zealand Govern ment.

The Japanese unit will be ven well equipped for a wide variety o

iientific observations and will live at Suwarrow aboard the 616n fishery training vessel Oshoro aru of Hokkaido University in id-September to set up equip ent.

Additional to the crew of the ssel there will be 17 men in the ientific party, representing four fferent Japanese scientific bodies, irgest group will be a seven-man am of the Tokyo Astronomical jservatory and Department of itronomy, University of Tokyo, aded by Dr. Z. Suemoto. A con lerable amount of equipment will involved. The duration of the [ipse at Suwarrow will occupy 2 mutes 44 seconds in all, with out 16 seconds of totality. The th of totality will extend only in narrow strip across the Pacific >m Peru to 158 degrees east longi le. Most, but not all, of the ob ■vations, will call for a clear sky.

Given Licence

tfuch of the scientific work will duplicated from the various ob- . vation sites —Suwarrow, Puka ka, Atafu, and Mopelia—in an leavour to insure that results will obtained from a location clear cloud cover at the critical time.

Meanwhile, Mr. D. C. Brown, of rotonga, has been given a licence again conduct shelling opera is at Suwarrow, because of the sing of Manihiki lagoon. ’he atoll has been uninhabited— ept for visits by passing yachts n—since Mr. Brown withdrew a ing team in November, 1956, er six months work there, during ich about 14 tons of shell was led. lowever, the present permit to ime operations contains a pro ) that the atoll must be evacu i while the Japanese astrono al team is stationed there. lr. Brown said in Auckland in Tuary that he had no idea why /as considered necessary for him withdraw his team during the anese visit, as there should be m for all.

Dangerous Conditions

he divers were to be taken to /arrow by ketch Taveuni as soon :hat vessel returns to the Cooks :r refit in Auckland, where she

ved in mid-February.

nwarrow is not popular with the :rs who say that all the good 1 appears to be in water below fathoms. The lagoon contains ;h weed, and visibility below is ier poor, making for rather gerous diving conditions, but the hty of shell obtained in 1956 reported to be generally good.

Only Copra To Keep It Going

A Gloomy Prediction: Eastern

From a Special Correspondent in Milne Bay This country of Papua—and more particularly this eastern end of it—has no future.

Sopra now is the only product it keeps it going, and that is not id. A price of over £5O per ton needed to make it payable. : have just heard that there is be a quarterly adjustment, and it the first one will give the >ra producer another £8 per ton, ry nice, if correct. ?he trochus shell industry took hammering when the price was h, and there is not such a great il around now. Labour is so ex isive and so inefficient, and so y irresponsible, that every op tion has to be supervised.

The days when one could send a cutter for shell, in charge of native, with several months’ lons, and get the boat back with )ad of shell, are gone forever, owadays, if one sends a boat out that the skipper either sells rations for betel-nut and nen, and spends his time an red until the rations are used or sells some of the shell on the ’ home; or else just sails around.

Whatever he does, one can rantee a good story will be told ;he end and that no action can taken against the native. Or, if on is taken, it is too expensive lo any good. The native will be n some PO who has qualified aw from the School of Pacific unistration to help him, while plaintiff will have no one.

The PC's Rooster ie rather amusing case was one ;h a friend of mine had nst two natives, who had stolen eaten two of his fowls. They talked two small kids [into bing into the fowl-yard and hing the fowls, and had then :ed and eaten them on |the ;h —all at night. 1 my friend had was circum tial evidence, and the PO ap ing for the natives almost had believing he had never owned fowls. len the kids confessed, ley also told how they had ed carry a big black rooster i the PO’s place, a week or so re—and this put the PO on my id’s side. Apparently the two had been making a practice of ling fowls and lifted the PO’s xalorp rooster, which he had ;ht at much cost. The boys got months each. ie Co-Ops in this area have n a hammering, with the long ?f dry years. Not much was ! m the good years to increase

the planting of nuts, although some coffee and rice was planted. The rice is negligible; the coffee may come to something.

One thing obvious is that the present conditions lend themselves towards breeding discontent among the natives, particularly among those who have been educated under the new scheme. There is no outlet for them to use their edu cation. While things were booming there were many positions for them.

They are ripe for some form of “communism”. I hope some means of using them will be found but, with the present set-up, anything could happen.

Maybe I am unduly pessimistic but I have only seen this end of the country of late years.

British Aluminium

Still Investigating

Use Of Papua's

Rivers

• A recent news report to the effect that the British Aluminium Company and associated interests might not proceed with the plan to refine bauxite ore by hydro-electric power from Central Papuan rivers, is not based on fact. rpHE original plan—hydro-electric A power developed on the Purari River, and carried overland to refining works, to be built on a new port in the sheltered water between Yule Island and the Papuan coast —is still under investigation and survey.

There appears to be no alterna tive to this method of providing power for the final processing of bauxite from the huge deposits in Cape York Peninsula and Cape Arnhem Land.

There has been a suggestion that the development of power from nu clear fission, within the borders of Australia, could provide the massive power needed for the final process m the production of aluminium.

This, of course, would avoid the need for carrying the ore across Torres Strait for treatment in Papua.

Expert opinion, however, is that many decades will elapse before nu clear power will displace hydro electric power, for a purpose such as aluminium processing.

Last Cruise Of

T He “Wanderer”

[?]N A Copy Of John

[?]Ebster's Book

• “PIM” in May, 1957, published n article by A. J. Sheat telling oj enjamin Boyd’s ill-fated expedi on to Guadalcanal in 1851, when 3 was killed by the natives.

Boyd’s ship, the “Wanderer”, f terwards headed south and was recked at Port Macquarie, on the SW coast.

“PIM” has now received the fol wing letter from Mr. N. K. Wallis, Sydney, supplying additional fo rmation of historical interest:

/Tr. Norman Warren

i WATERHOUSE unearthed in the ‘thirties two copies of that ry rare volume of John Webster: \st Cruise of the Wanderer RYS. one of them were three original :ters written by Webster (who is Master of the Wanderer ), tiwell (Sailing Master), and awford (Mate).

Webster’s letter, to a friend, des bed the attack by the natives on e Wanderer, the hand-to-hand ht on board during which Web ir himself shot two of the at 3kers; and the subsequent bom rdment and firing of the villages.

Dttiwell’s letter describes to the mts (Cohen & Co.) the wreck of 3 Wanderer at Port Macquarie d discusses the possibility of vage.

Crawford’s letter, written a little er, to Ottiwell, then in Sydney, counts any further chance of vage and requests advice as to ‘ disposal of the few items saved m the wreck. )ne of these was Wanderer’s bell. ’ many years it was in the posses n of the late Henry Perdriau. his death, Mr. Edgar Perdriau isented the bell to the Royal iney Yacht Squadron where it igs today, in the vestibule, have in my possession, part of edar table saved from Wanderer sented to me by the late Mr. bby” Mann.

Scaled the Tower is well known, Boyd’s light ise, at Twofold Bay, never wed a light—that is until 1935, ie 80 years after its erection. On t occasion the crew of my ooner Wanderer (named after 7 ds) and myself scaled the er, hoisted up a drum of par n mixed with saltpetre, iodine

copper-sulphate and magnesium.

The resultant multi-coloured flare was designed to draw attention to the rapidly disintegrating ruins of historic Boydtown which, at that time, interested citizens were attempting to move the Government to take over.

However, this move had an unexpected sequel. I was arrested for showing “an unauthorised light”, the fate with which Boyd had been threatened, 80 years earlier!

In USI I was at Honiara when HMAS Culgoa called, “showing the flag . At my suggestion the then Resident Commissioner arranged, with the Captain’s co-operation, for

Culgoa to call at Wanderer’s Bay (where Boyd was killed) and to hold a small ceremony marking the centenary of Boyd’s death. I ad dressed the ship’s company and local residents on the main features of Boyd’s life and the tragic en counter at Wanderer’s Bay, as re counted by John Webster, The three letters referred to above I have presented to the Mit chell Library. One volume of The Last Voyage I am sending to the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes.

Boyd was a member of the RYS; Wanderer was registered with the Squadron and consequently wore the White Ensign.

[?]N Reply To “Tolala": First

[?]Issionary Congregational

[?]Pioneering Role Of

The Port Moresby

[?]Rotestant Church

•In his regular “Territories ilk-Talk” column in February, 'olala” commented on recent oves affecting some Port Moresby otestant churches. Now, in the ! lowing letter to “PIM”, well own P-NG missionary, Rev. D. E. e, of the London Missionary ciety, Port Moresby, replies to blala”.

IELIEVING that it is the policy ) of your House to be factual, may I call your attention to erroneous and misleading state int in the Pacific Islands Monthly February, 1958. : refer to the article on page 31 id e r the paragraph heading tiristian Unity”. It is written by neone who hides behind the name “Tolala”. I am sorry about his desty; for, judging from his icle, I am sure that he would h to correct the wrong impression has given to his readers not liliar with the facts.

Tie first European missionary to -le in the Territory was a Congre ional minister, the Rev. Dr. W. G. ves. Dr. Lawes, as a missionary the London Missionary Society, ded in Port Moresby in 1874 and le fifteen years later commenced work of the Ela Protestant irch, to care for the spiritual ds of the tiny European popula i of Port Moresby. hat work has been carried on by igregational ministers from its option to the present day. I was honorary minister from 1934

onward. The fact that its ministers have been Congregationalists is incidental. They were all missionaries of the London Missionary Society, and it is through this Society that the Congregationalists of the British Commonwealth have carried out their overseas Mission work since 1795.

The Principle

For the information of “Tolala’ and other interested readers. I quote the “Fundamental Principle” of that Society; It is declared to he a fundamental principle of the Missionary Society that its design is not to send Presby terianism, Independency, Episcopacy, or any other form of Church Order ond Government (about which there may be difference of opinion among serious people) but the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God to the heathen; and it shall be left (as it ought to be left) to the minds of persons whom God may call into the fellowship of His Son among them to assume for themselves such form of Church Government as to them shall appear agreeable to the Word of God.

The needs of the ever-incerasing European population of Port Moresby demand the services of a minister who can devote all his time to the United Protestant Church. Appreciating this need, the members of the Ela Protestant Church, who have at times been representatives of at least seven different denominations, sought for association with the United Church Board of Northern Aus tralia. This Board controls the work of the churches in Alice Springs (Flynn Memorial Church) and the United Church in Darwin.

Multiplicity of Sects I am in entire agreement with “Tolala” concerning the danger of the multiplicity of sects in the Territory. This multiplicity of diverse teaching in that which is so funda mental to human character can only lead to confusion and chaos The Anglican, Methodists and our own Society have been staunch sup porters of the “Spheres of Influ ence” policy introduced into Papua many decades ago in the days of Sir Hubert Murray.

The present-day trend of many 9 f t. he long-established Missions is m line with the ecumenical move ment of the World Council of Churches. I am convinced that the Fellowship at Port Moresby, under the ministry of the Rev. Paul Parkin, will help the people, Euro pean and Native, towards a goal perhaps suggested by “Tolala”, but graphically and definitely stated some nineteen hundred years ago; There shall be one flock and one Shepherd.”

Pacific Islands Monthly

Magazine Section

Bully Beef If You Want

It, Too

|N a small hotel in the heart of I one of New Guinea’s most beautiful valleys, internationally famous dishes from nearly every :ountry are presented on a menu yhich would whet the appetite of my gourmet.

The hotel is Wau, the hotelier Job Zeelen, and the recipes include fichysoisse soup from France; Sami Goreng from Indonesia; lungarian Goulash from Hungary;

Ipatchcock from Europe; and

)hocolate Volcano from America, 'hich can be topped off with )cally grown fruit and coffee, and lanish and Dutch cheeses.

Bob Zeelen, former manager for [orobe Hotels Ltd., at Goroka, was )r six years in Port Moresby. He itered for the Duke of Edinburgh uring the Duke’s Territory visit i 1956.

He is not long back from a world iur when he visited the well known Dtels of Fiji, Honolulu, America, ngland and the Continent, and ade a study of the preparation id serving of meals in the most mous hotels around the world.

In the near future, Mr. Zeelen ans to build self-contained ttages near the present hotel at au, where tourists and visitors n enjoy the mixed pleasures of ’ht-seeing, swimming, golf, and inis.

Sydney’S Front Door

Is Changed

r was Monday, March 24. I stood on top of a building in Macquarie Street, Sydney, and watched the 5t rush of motor traffic across the ■ft high roadway, over Circular &y, after the Premier had oflfici y opened the new thoroughfare, fhis huge wall of concrete runs mg the edge of Circular Quay, ere has been much reclamation •e, over the last 150 years. Phil s little ships once berthed where v soars the double highways—one trains and one for cars, thought of the thousands of le ships which had gone from cular Quay, out among the o Islan ds, in the first century Sydney’s existence. How many

of their companies had ever imagined a thing like this! How many of the wretched convicts who built Circular Quay had even dreamed of electric trains or motor cars, let alone this huge structure for their accommodation.

And then I thought of Kipling’s “Song of the Cities—Sydney”: Greeting! My birthstain have I turned to good Forcing strong wills perverse to steadfastness — The first flush of the tropics in my blood And at my feet, Success.

R.

Just A Lumpy Old Atoll

BEAUTIFUL rueeed wpII norm lofoi r>oi\ g • ™ en P° P , U ‘ lated Rarotonga, in the Cooks, it hS A^ back when it heard an American news broad

cast announcing that a commercia airline would make a special cal to Rarotonga to pick up some Americans stranded there aftei their private Catalina broke dowr (see elsewhere).

They didn’t particularly object tc the announcer insisting that the commercial flight would be made by the non-existent Tasmanian Empire Airways, but when he referred to Rarotonga as a “tiny remote Pacific atoll” they felt like throwing the fellow off the peak oi 2,000 ft. Mt. Te Manga.

Cold Shoulder For The

Antarctic Scientists

IT’S not often that New Guinea is held up as an example to Antarctica, but Senator George Cole managed to do it in the Aus tralian Senate in March.

He made a plea for the scientists who work under strenuous conditions in the Antarctic for 12 months at a time. He said they were treated harshly in having to pay income tax, and should receive the same consideration as the people of New Guinea, who didn’t have to pay tax “because of the conditions under which they live”

What the Senator didn t say was hat from all accounts P-NG wont 3 e tax free for much longer.

&N Old Link Joined Again

CURIOS collected by Fiji’s first doctor, Dr. Richard Birdsall Lyth, are now back in Fiji after in absence of more than 100 years.

The collection includes beauti ully woven mats (one worn by Faufa’shau later King George Fubou I, first ruler of the king dom of Tonga) which is woven vith 17 strands to the inch, and :arved figurines with limbs that nove—possibly made as dolls for ;irls of high rank.

Dr. Lyth was a pioneer missionary )f Fiji and Tonga, first arriving n the Pacific in 1836. He spent 15 in Fiji and took his collec ion back to England with him in 1854.

Curator of the Suva Museum, Mr. R. A. Derrick, heard of the ed uction last June through a Suva nan, Mr. C. A. Stokes, who is re lated to the Lyth family—and in quiries in England resulted in the curios coming home, after a

century.

Now They’Ve Built A

Catapon

A THING called a catapon has arrived in Honolulu. It’s not an animal but a new type of seacraft, designed by an American Presbyterian minister, who also happens to be a construction engineer.

The catapon looks a bit like a jazzed up outrigger canoe. It consists of two metal tubes acting as pontoons, and slung between them is a platform carrying a steering wheel and an outboard motor. There is room for several people.

The minister, Mr. M. E. Rhodes, says his boat should go well over reefs, and in Honolulu he’s looking for somebody to finance him.

Police Blossom Into Print

FIJI has a new quarterly, Fiji Police Magazine , edited by Assistant Police Superintendent C. Marlow. It contains a lot of material of general interest, and will be on sale to the public.

From RIM of 20 Years ago

Jf SU6 io \ Apr ui’ 1938 had a familiar ring about it—it spoke of banana export problems, Mission difficulties, exploding volcanoes shipping disasters, the copra market, tourist possibilities—and the comings and goings of Islands people. Here are some highlights:

From New Guinea, a correspondent, Mrs.

Helena Rex, was complaining that many of the Missions "don't play fair". She said, "They obtain from the Administration special con cessions on the strength of their activities being of a spiritual nature. But that doesn't prevent them entering into the sordid, money making businesses they affect to so despise". * * * The NZ Government decided to take over the marketing of Fiji bananas in NZ, because it considered the price was too high. * * * In Tonga there were rumblings about the active part the Wesleyan Mission was supposed to be playing in local politics, and a report said there was "bitter criticism" over the fact that "no important step is taken by the Government nowadays unless the Methodist missionaries are first consulted". * * * Manam Island volcano, off the coast of the Madang district in NG, was in violent eruption, and there was concern for the natives, who couldn't get to the mainland because of heavy seas. (It has been in eruption in the last few months, and the natives have been evacuated to the mainland).

Isolated Midway Island, just a cable station, would be converted to a powerful naval base, the US Government announced. * * * The Finnish barque “Pamir" (which sank in tragic circumstances last year) visited Noumea to load nickel ore for Germany—and caused something of a furore in the process. The Finns' interest in the local ladies upset numerous husbands and lovers. Some crew members also insisted in shouting "Hell Hitler!" around the town. Brawls soon broke out and the crew was confined to the ship at night. * * * BP's ship, the "Morinda" struck a reef off Malo Island in the New Hebrides. A French sloop took off her passengers, and she was floated off a day or two later with only minor damage. * * * HMCS "Pioneer", official Government yacht for Fiji for many years, made her last voyage —to the open sea, where she was sunk.

"Pioneer" had originally been built by Singer, the sewing machine millionaire, and com mandeered by the British Admiralty in World War I.

“«r

Across

I, —Which celebrated portrait is also known as "La Gioconda"? 5. —What anagram of cane can also cause worry to young people? 9. —What famous thermoplastic was pro duced by the du Pont laboratories in 1938? 10. —What stimulant is found in both tea and coffee? 11. —What blue gas is formed when oxygen is subjected to an electrostatic dis charge? 13. —What Mexican flame-tree, with large scarlet leaves was named after an American Minister to Mexico?

14. —Which English river flows into the North Sea at Whitby? 17. —What are common to theatres and . mines? 18. —What is the East Anglian name for a lake-like expansion of a river? 20. —Who was the father of Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet"? 22. —What is the term for the offspring of a black and a white? 23. —Which is the smallest tide?

—Do W N

1. —Which animal was sacred to the Egyptians for its ability to kill cobras? 2. —Who was the greatest of British naval heroes?

3. —Which knight be came a monk after King Arthur's death? 4. —Which American city is proud of its cable trams? 6. —What were the man called who served under Wingate in Burma? 7. —What is another name for the moose? 8. —What is the country residence of English Prime Ministers? 12.—What well-known part of early motor cars has been replaced by the induction coil? 15. —Who composed the music for "The Chocolate Soldier"? 16. —What is the term for a small party united for some secret design? 19.—What was Napo leon's first place of exile? 21. —Who is the god of flocks and pastures?

Good Oil

On New Guinea

G. A. V. STANLEY, of Port Moresby, is i distinguished geologist as well as a k© worker in other scientific and historiii fields in New Guinea. He was born in 19* and passed through the Sydney Technical Hii School on his way to the University of Sydnn He graduated B.Sc. and made his first contil with the islands on a visit to the Solomo in 1927, to do field work on Rennell Islam He was next employed by the Commonweaic Government on a survey of Cape Vogel, Papm for the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. He visit Rabaul, Aitape and Vanimo, before joining 1 Search, Limited, in 1930.

This began many years of service in t Aitape and Sepik districts, where he was the team which carried out extensive exploc tion and mapping of the Sepik Valley, mm of which was then uncontrolled. He was noti for his ability to make friendly and peaces contact with new tribes.

"G.A.V." won the confidence of the hintt land natives to a remarkable extent, whir was very valuable to him at the time as in the later war years. In 1938 he transfers to APC and carried on his geological wo until the advent of the Japanese war. He vw then commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant RANT for service with the Far Eastern Liaison Oflfiir His previous experience in the Sepik distn enabled him to do valuable work in that am during the Jap occupation, for which he vw awarded the DSC in 1945.

In 1946 "G.A.V." rejoined APC and world in Papua until his retirement, at the age 50, in July 1954. While still associated wiv APC in an advisory capacity, he has time devote to his other interests. He has cd lected an extensive library dealing with NT Guinea, and has worked on the compilatiil of a bibliography of New Guinea.

A lot of his abundant interest and enen; is at present devoted to the preliminsr organisation of a full-scale scientific cruise New Guinea by the ANZAAS (Australian Nik Zealand Association for the Advancement Science). This would involve the charterih of a large liner for over 1,000 members ww could make the visit, possibly in 1960, as this will keep "G.A.V." working happily t some time. —BRETT MILDER.

The Chiefs Feasted on Boiled Rice and Biscuits When Britain Was Reluctant About New Guinea

By G. A. King

It is now more than 73 years since the first definite action by Britain on New Guinea—the proclamation of a protectorate over what became known as British New Guinea, and is now called Papua.

THE ceremony of proclaiming the protectorate was carried out at Port Moresby on November 6, 1884, by Commodore J. E. Erskine. commander of the Imperial naval squadron in Australian waters—in those days Britain provided for our naval defence —and he told the chiefs and natives generally that they would henceforth be placed under the protection of Queen Vic toria and Her Majesty’s Govern ment.

“Evil-disposed men will not be ible to occupy your country to seize four lands, and take you away from four homes”, the Commodore said.

He added: “We are amongst you is your friends. Always keep in mur minds that the Queen watches >ver you, looks upon you as her :hildren, and will not allow any me to harm you.”

Quaint happenings occurred on IMS Nelson on the day before the iroclamation of the protectorate.

Jr. John F. Mann, of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, guest of Commodore Erskine, has corded what happened:

About 4 p.m., the chiefs from vari ous parts of the islands, together with the Rev. W. G. Lawes and the Rev. James Chalmers, both well known missionaries, were assembled on the deck of the Nelson.

“One chief, Boe Vagi, wore a red

‘wide-awake’ hat and a shirt,” Mi Mann wrote. “Another chief cam over the side “dressed” in somethin supposed to represent a shirt. It wa so torn and filthy, however, tha a native teacher, after a private am presumably tactful talk, induced hin to take it off in order that he migh look somewhat respectable. Bo Vagi had already worn his shir for two years!

Boiled Rice and Biscuits

“A tub of boiled rice and suga was then set before the natives and, squatting around, each chie was supplied with a large basin full, and an iron spoon with whicl to eat. Before beginning the ‘feast’ the teacher recited grace,” but Mr Mann says that “the words wen lost upon the natives, their thought.* obviously being on the boiled rice The basins having been emptied, th(

chiefs turned their attention to ship biscuits, two of which had been served out to each man.”

Commodore Erskine then told the chiefs that the ceremony to take place next day would include the hoisting of the British flag and the reading of a proclamation by Queen Victoria.

The chiefs then went to the Com modore’s cabin, and each received a present of tobacco, a shirt, knife, tomahawk, etc. On returning to the deck, some of the ship’s guns were fired for the edification of the natives, but they could not be re conciled to the noise.

In the evening the ship was partly illuminated, rockets were fired, and the searchlight was switched on, the display being brought to a close by sounding the steam fog-horn. This caused great consternation among the natives, some of whom took to the forests and hid. They thought the whistle was a large dog howling for food.

New Guinea, of course, consists of three parts.

Holland has had sovereignity

(Continued on page 96)

The old drawing at the top, from a sketch made on the spot, shows the hoisting of the British flag at Port Moresby in November, 1884. The scene is not far from where Hanuabada stands now. The photograph above was taken aboard HMS "Nelson" the day before the Protectorate was proclaimed. Native chiefs squat on the deck.

over the western part of the island of 158,000 square miles since 1848; there is what is now Papua, formerly British New Guinea, the south eastern part of the island, compris ing 90,000 square miles; and the north-eastern portion of the island, formerly German New Guinea, and named by the Germans Kaiser Wilhelm’s Land, of about 70,000 square miles.

The surveys and reports of Cap tain J. Moresby in 1874 brought home to Queensland, and to many

people in other parts of Australia, the dangers to Australia if New Guinea, opposite to Torres Strait, fell into the possession of a foreign power.

"Annexation" Disallowed

Queensland was not impressed by the dilatory attitude of the British Government; and in 1883, because of reported German designs on New Guinea, the Premier of Queensland, Sir Thomas Mcll wraith, ordered the annexation of the south-eastern mainland of the island. The annexa tion was carried out by Mr. Henry Marjoribanks Chester, a Police Magistrate and Government Resident at Thursday Island.

That action by Queensland was,

however, disallowed by the Briti Government—just as the sugge tions of Charles B. Yule (1864) aj Captain Moresby (1874) had be ignored by the authorities in La don.

However, London relented; aj at Port Moresby, on November 1-884, Commodore J, E. Erskine, H then in command of the Australii Naval Station, with his flag flyu on HMS Nelson, proclaimed a pn tectorate over what was to becoi British New Guinea. Other ships the Australian Squadron at t) ceremony included HM Shi Espiegle, Raven, Harrier aj Swinger— all small vessels, fc vastly impressive in the eyes of t) natives.

Before the end of 1884, Germai annexed the north-eastern part New Guinea.

British New Guinea was formal annexed to the Crown on Septemb 4, 1888; and, had it not been 1 the reluctant attitude of the Briti Government, German New Guin could have become British territoi In 1901, when the Commonweal came into being, the Australii Government agreed to take ov British New Guinea as a Territc of the Commonwealth, and lai it was formally so declared unc the name of Papua.

What was formerly German N 1 Guinea was occupied by Australii forces in September, 1914, t) month following the outbreak World War I, and the possessii was given up by Germany as a of the peace terms. Under a Leag of Nations mandate the territo was entrusted to the Australii Government, which set up an aE ministration in 1921.

Later, the Territory was plac under the trusteeship system esta lished under the United Naticr Charter, and Australia became ti sole administering authority und a decision of the General AssemH of the United Nations on Decemfcl 13, 1946.

Changed Attitude

How different is the attitude New Guinea today compared wi the early eighties of last centur;' Only a couple of years ago, du ing a discussion in the Unit!

Nations Political Committee on IT donesia’s claim to Dutch NO Guinea, Australia’s representati: said that Australia unalteratt opposed any transfer of sovereign over Dutch New Guinea.

He said that the Japanese hr taught us the bitter lesson “thi New Guinea will forever be potential invasion springboard Australia. There is not one dissenr vent voice in Australia tods] political or individual, which wou deny that the security of Austral and the security of New Guinea a indivisable.”

But Where Does He Go From There?

Limerick Winner Takes His Island (With 59 Palms)

By a Special Correspondent

Wiser counsel apparently prevailed with Mr. Kent Shelby— the American who won a Fiji island last year by supplying the last line of a limerick.

II7HEN he arrived in Suva in Y? Orcades at the end of February, he was accompanied not by his ivife and 15-months-old daughter, out by his friend Douglas Howard svho was better able to stand the vigours of life on a pint-sized islet n the Pacific—equipped with some mid and mangroves, but a fine oeach on one side; 59 coconuts; a furnished Fijian hure; and an out board punt.

Heaven knows what Mr. Shelby intends to do with the island —but there has been a suggestion that he would like to raise fruit and poultry there. What he got for his prize

was a life interest in the island plus a return trip to Fiji from Cali fornia and two weeks’ holiday in the Colony. What happens next is strictly up to him—and maybe to his friend Douglas Howard, who is a pro

fessional photographer.

The pair stayed two days in Suva and two in Lautoka, and then on the afternoon of February 28, started off with a local welcoming party for the island which is two miles off shore near Lautoka.

Mr. Bob Howlett, of the Fiji Visitors’ Bureau, who organised the Fiji end of the limerick competition, has written this description of their first reaction to the prize island.

Here it is, plugs and all: “A half-hour run in the launch brought them within close range of the beach and surroundings. Shelby, scanning the scene with binoculars, was delighted with what he saw.

T had been led to believe it was much smaller and not as pretty as it really is’, he said. ‘lt’s terrific!’

Furniture on Loan “The vessel anchored about one hundred yards from the beach and the boys and their luggage were ferried ashore in a dinghy. Once on the island they made straight for the bure. The interior had been furnished with loan furniture from Northern Hotels Ltd. Tapa or masi cloth covered a corner wardrobe and the front of the small bar. Gay yellow and green painted cane chairs occupied one-half of the bure.

Two single beds with green bed spreads balanced the furniture arrangement, and a table, an icebox and a safe lent an utilitarian air.

Bamboo vases with green trailing plants hung from the walls and clam shells with creeper plants decorated the table and the bar.

“Shortly after arriving, the boys were welcomed by the turaga-ni koro (headman) and villagers in traditional Fijian dress from the nearby Fijian koro of Vitogo.

Yaqona, or kava, was prepared and offered to the new arrivals and they were presented with two lovely salusalus or leis.

“Shelby thanked everyone for their kindness at the conclusion of the presentation, and then set out to explore his own tropical island.

Shelby’s main interest was in th outboard motor donated by th Pacific Area Travel Association The motor was attached to a smas punt rented for the occasion by tH Visitors’ Bureau. In a matter < minutes (after looking over tH island) Shelby decided to see from the sea and he set off with on of the Fijian lads.

Island Outrigger

“A large outrigger canoe goc with the island, but Shelby thougl; he had better take lessons in ho to sail an outrigger before puttii. out to sea. Other things he and hi friend had to learn were the metho< of lighting a Coleman keroseii double burner stove and a benzri lamp. And how to cook. The fin few meals were conventional. Stes chops, bacon, eggs and canned veg? tables. But Shelby hopes to spean fish or two, catch a crayfish, or ui earth a clam colony.

“The escorting party stayed ■ the island for several hours waitfi for Shelby to return from his- or; board motor trip. They finally cb cided to move back to the town. . they rounded the island, in tt distance, standing in a small ding? was Kent Shelby. He had learnt E fiist lesson—make sure the claim of your outboard motor are secure fastened to your vessel.

“The motor was recovered later: about seven feet of water.”

Kent Shelby (left, in the striped blazer) an[?] his friend Douglas Howard, receiving leis fr[?] Mrs. Janet Lloyd of the Fiji Visitors' Bure[?] when they arrived in Suva from California "Orcades" on February 25. —Fiji PR[?]

I know a place where red hibiscus thrives, And cold-clime foreigners break out in hives; Bananas grow as big as liver-wurst, And those who do not buy a few are cursed.

Where ants abound, and Rhino beetles lope, And most efficient servants steal the soap, And everyone grows fat, inclined to laze Beneath the nearest tree in noon day haze.

Where corn is standing ten to twelve feet high, And people seldom cheat, or tell a lie.

And luscious maidens sway in hula skirts, And women aren’t obliged to iron men’s shirts, And there’s no need to worry overmuch, About the sales tax, income tax and such.

I know this place, although I haven’t been ; And must believe it, though I haven’t seen — Whenever Islands people roam abroad, They tell these tales around the table-board.

Joyce E. Erikson,

Newcastle, NSW.

[?]t's Hard Work for [?]he Japs in Rabaul

[?]O Hours A Week

By a Staff Writer

After all the talk-talk that pre

eded the arrival of the Japanese

alvage teams to Rabaul about a

ear ago, their presence there has

lilted not a ripple on the local

lill-pond.

E THEN they pack up and move on —probably in April—business houses who have enjoyed leir custom will be sorry about it.

Okada Gumi, the outfit which is Ding the salvage, might have been . Rabaul longer if there had been d dispute as to who owned some the sunken vessels in the harbour.

L. Chipper and Co. says that it )Ught them all; the Administra on says that it did not. A Supreme curt case is pending to settle the ■gument.

By that time Okada Gumi will •obably have moved off —to Buin— id once gone is unlikely to come ick to get what scrap remains, iless there is a sudden revival in ic scrap metal market.

The sunken wrecks are blown up, cut up with oxy torches under ater; the pieces are raised by the lating crane (the funnel and i ckhouse of this tremendous con aption can be seen in the back ound of two of the accompanying ctures; and the arms of the crane self are shown in one of them) id brought ashore to the salvage mp on the foreshore a few miles it of Rabaul. Here the scrap is cut to more convenient sizes and aded on Japanese ships. 50 or 60 Japanese Two photographs show Japanese id cranes working at the camp itting up and loading the pieces scrap.

Between 50 and 60 Japanese live in hutments at the camp. They work 10 hours per day, seven days a week. They get paid £lO per month, and have two days off.

Which explains why Japan is the only country remaining in the scrap metal market.

The bottom photo shows, right of centre, marked X, anchored off shore and obscured by a barge, all that remained of the Herstein (or Herstine ) in early March. ’ This is the Norwegian vessel in

which civilians, caught by the Japs in Rabaul in early 1942, hoped to escape. They were refused per mission by Canberra, Herstein de layed too long expecting to take them on, was bombed by the Japs and sunk in Matupi Bay.

After the war she was pronounced unsalvable. But last year the Jap anese raised her in three weeks. It was hoped that she would be towed away to Japan in one piece. But her hull proved to be too damaged.

She was therefore cut down and shipped as scrap. In early March, only a couple of feet above the keel remained. Maybe they will take that, too.

"Naruta" Sunk Again?

There was a story sailing around in Rabaul in early March that Naruta, the Japanese oil tanker that had such an up-and-down existence in Rabaul for 12 years, had again been deliberately sunk — this time in Hongkong. But there was no confirmation forthcoming.

Naruta decorated Rabaul Harbour in all stages of submergence. Some times she was fully afloat; sometimes

(Continued on page 99)

only her superstructure was visible above the water. Sometimes she was in one part of the harbour; some times in another. The Navy used her for a while; and at another stage her then owners (Anderson’s NG Co.) had her pumped out, re floated and put up for auction. They hoped to get rid of her as a going concern but bidding failed to reach the reserve.

Thereafter she continued her up or down existence until last year, when she was again floated and towed to Hongkong. The story is

that by the time she got there the bottom had again fallen out of the scrap metal market and that she was taken to a convenient part of the harbour and sunk once more —pending the recovery of the market.

Grim Postscript: With The

remains of 2,550 Japanese war dead from the Philippines aboard, the Japanese vessel Ginga Maru arrived at Tokyo, March 10. Japanese killed in the Philippines exceeded 75,000.

Squirts of Coloured Water Hindus Celebrate Festival of Holi

By S. M. Mudaliar, in Suva

Hindus in Fiji on March 6 as in India and elsewhere —celebrated their national festival of Holi, or the festival of Spring.

THERE are about 70 different Hindu festivals, but Holi has been acclaimed the most popu lar. It is the festival of the people and there is a holiday atmosphere during the days of the festival.

Nowadays Holi has become more closely associated with the lower classes than the upper, and cele brated with particular gaiety by the countryfolk.

The most interesting feature of this festival is the squirting of coloured water. The usual rules of decorum are relaxed and rejoicing crowds equipped with sprays take over; neither friend nor relative, old nor young, male nor female, is spared the sprays of coloured water.

Children parade the streets with syringes and bottles and threaten to discolour the clothes of passersby, who are, however, allowed to go unmolested on payment of a small sum.

In the evening, families get to gether and enjoy a variety of special dishes.

Primitive Origins

Holi is originally a festival of fertility, which has its origin in the primitive orgies of the ancient and powerful tribes of India. Even now it retains many of the character istics of the fertility festivities.

Holi is also appropriately con nected with some of the activities of Lord Sri Krishna (an incarna tion of God to Hindus), Effigies of Putana, a female demon whom the child Krishna killed, are made and destroyed on that day.

Southern Indians celebrate this festival by gathering round huge bonfires and singing folk-songs in lamentation of Rati, wife of Kama !£ e iove-god, on the destruction of the latter by Lord Shiva whose asceticism Kama disturbed Another interesting Holi obser vance celebrates the death of ogress Hohka, sister of a demon king Haranakush, who challenged the child Prahalad (a devotee of the God Vishnu) to a fire bath in order ™ P ut u hlm J° death - but o g re ss heiself was burnt to ashes This tradition is closely followed dnrf™ n f?- ji 5 y . man y Hindus, and during this festival bonfires may fL^ en - andcc r owds gathered around them singing m joyful mood.

A Small Corner Of NG That's Forever Fijian

In a quiet corner of the Bita Paka War Cemetery, New Britain, 33 Fijian soldiers lie in well-kept graves under the flower

ing hibiscus bushes.

THE men were killed or died on active service in the Bougain ville campaign during the Pacific war. Photos show one of the graves, and, lower, the Fijian section.

They lie with 1,107 other soldiers, airmen and sailors who are buried t h e r e—Australians, Englishmen; men from the Indian Army and the Dutch Navy; native soldiers from Papua and New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Some of the bronze plaques on the graves have no names but are marked “Known unto God”. But all but one of the Fijians is known.

Bita Paka is the smallest of the

three Papua - New Guinea v cemeteries—but maybe because it, at the end of a long dusty 25 mi drive from Rabaul it seems ■ prettiest. The road —changed v\ little since the Australians lano here in 1914 to take New Guin from the German s—meandf alongside plantations and natt villages and thick jungle growth aa then, when the traveller is least e pecting it, emerges into a trim ps of clipped emerald green law; brilliantly flowering trees and shru under which lie the rows of graw Each of the three P-M cemeteries has a different layoic and although each is dominated the soaring stone Cross of Sacfififi common to all Imperial War GraL cemeteries, each has differe' treatment in the stone entrano gates or memorials.

One thing common to all, hoc ever, is that they do not have tt feel of a cemetery. They a beautiful gardens in which it pleasant to sit a while in conterf plation, with nothing to disturb tt peace but the homely sound off motor-mower chauffeured by a lon native, or the chirping of local birn

[?]Erial Capers At

[?]Arotonga

[?]Rops In

By Gordon Russell

Amphibious Catalina aircraft e rather rare birds of passage ese days and Rarotonga was in

igued early February when

ro showed up in one week, both

ivately owned and officially

anted leave for a “technical >p”- ORST to appear, February 1, was refuelling overnight from Pa peete bound Pago, Canton and molulu; a shipshape craft smartly Bssed in green tonings. 3he was flying for the Friends Tahiti Club, and out stepped a jw of four and a mixed bag of ren American tourists, young d old, male and female. Among 3m was Mr. Kimball, of Kimball rways, Honolulu, owner and op itor of this South Seas charter tfit.

Sarly proof that these folk were im Stateside was furnished by an lerly lady who, on learning that lerica had that day launched a ;ellite in answer to Sputnik, gave ;ry sign of being rejuvenated.

Hr. Kimball, president of the lends of Tahiti, was happy to it Rarotonga on this circuit, and, gathered, was quietly looking md with an eye to potential siness.

'And how did you get this far, . Kimball?”

From Honolulu to Tahiti via ristmas Island, about three weeks 3k.”

Christmas Island? Odd that a vate American aircraft could so ichalantly crash through the al nuclear barrier; but we left at that.

"Tahiti Stinks!"

Text morning they were off, very uck with the local scene and an :ommodating administrat ion. ahiti” said one elderly gent stinks!”

Text ‘cat’ on the scene, arrived ew days later, eastbound through rotonga for Papeete from Apia h ten aboard, one British, nine lerican.

Vith TEAL’s Hibiscus service on last marine legs, every aerial itor is now viewed as a possible ‘tent of things to come, so was s Kimball back again, quietly 1 swiftly getting a leg in? No. is Catalina, The Spirit of Mag in, is owned by Clyde A. Young, Bellflower, California, and )ted by Captain J. Edwin Jones,

of Jones Aviation Service, San Diego, California (and still retains its austerity wartime look intern ally) .

These folk were globe-trotters, and movie-makers to boot. Mag ellan Productions was the title, said Mr. Stuart Jewell, leader of the party, and the globe was almost circled. Only Tahiti remained, then Honolulu, and home to Long Beach California.

Unpopular

“By way of Christmas Island, Mr.

Jewell?”

“No. We looked into that, but it’s back on our tracks through Pago and Canton. You see, Mr.

Kimball’s call at Christmas Island was unpopular, and he was given one hour to get out.”

So that was it!

Next morning they were off, too.

But not for long. Ten minutes out she reported: “One engine mis-

firing.” Soon, trailing an ugly spray of engine oil, she touched down and taxied in.

Inspection revealed the worst.

Something inside had come adrift and punched a hole clean through the crankcase. ‘‘Say, how do you get out of here?” ... “Maybe a month, did you say!”

Soon the morse keys at Raro tonga Radio were crackling out signals to Tahiti. Apia, Fiji, New Zealand: Wanted in a hurry, one DC3 engine, air freight, and, wanted, one vessel, air or water borne, to uplift marooned Ameri cans.

Content with having set their lines, Magellan Productions re laxed for the balance of the week end on coral strands.

A Marked Change But it didn’t last long. There was a marked change in the demeanour of some members of the party.

Recriminations now seemed the order of the day, often voiced in a manner embarrassing to local resi dents. Most, it seemed had separate contracts and every individual move was suspect. The gloss was gone; here was a little bit of Hollywood from the inside looking out.

And these people were not used to easy island ways. “I want a single room with bath” said one gent to our overburdened hotel manageress, wondering who she could double up next.

“It’s time we got outa here”, said one lady, “get me America on long distance.”

Said another, concerned with her desperate plight, “Say, where are the nearest US troops around here?

Put me on to them, wilya?”

Now it seems the whole party is to board the Charlotte Donald for Aitutaki, there to split and go their various ways.

The engine? Not in sight yet, and presumably this little matter will be handled later, if at all, surface transport preferred.

The “cat” will be tied down in the hurricane pit, Rarotonga air port, until further notice.

The movie party's leader, Mr. Stuart Jewell, on the left. —Both photos by lan Forbes.

The “Spirit of Magellan" just before Its. abortive take-off at Rarotonga in February.

With Judy Tudor

One of the things we can be pretty sure about with our cruising-yacht friends is that we will hear of them again—when they go back home and write a book about it.

THE Pacific-American west coast voyage of Moonraker, which decorated the pages of PIM for a couple of years, 1953-55, has now been made into a book by owner, Dr. Peter Pye, as sequel to his first effort Red Mains’l, which told of the Atlantic crossing.

This second story is called The Sea is for Sailing —which may be regarded as either a nice piece of lomantic alliteration, or a dig at many small ship sailors who regard the periods at seas as undiluted hells between the comforts of ports.

Peter Pye and his wife Anne, took 20-years-old Christopher as crew on 29 ft., 60-years-old Moonraker. Of Moonraker, Pye says she “looked like a box and sailed like a witch”.

Of Christopher; “ . . . a rather gorgeous young man in an ex quisite reefer jacket . . , with kit bag, suitcase, bowler hat and gun”.

Christopher’s background was as decorative as his person. His father was sending him on the trip in stead of to university. When the Pye’s were rowing him out to Moon raker, with all his gear, through pouring English rain, the doctor had a sudden inspiration. “Have you got a dinner jacket in that case?” he asked. “Yes, of course I have”, Christopher replied.

For all that, Christopher seems to have acquitted himself well, in his floating university, and at one stage—in spite of the dinner jacket and bowler hat—takes a job as a plumber’s mate, at $7O per week.

Through Moonraker’s hobnobbing we meet many old sailing friends —the Smeetons of Tzu Hang, the Homdahls of Viking, Wanderer 111, the Greggs of Novia, and Ernst Lamberty, now settled in the New Hebrides.

Most books about ocean sail ing have a certain calm sameness which is probably half their charm.

The Pyes sailed through Panama to French Polynesia, thence to Hawaii and from there to Canada and Alaska. From there they returned down the whole length of the west coast of America back through the Panama, West Indies, Florida and heme.

One of the most entertaining parts of the story is the six months they spent with the Smeetons at their farm at Musgrave on Van couver Island—a somewhat spartan existence that must be good train ing for long ocean voyages.

D {TH ! u SEA J S FOR SAILING, published by Rupert Hart-Davis. 20/- Aust.) y

Back to the

Middle East

A USTRALIAN writer John Laf fin’s second literary pilgrimage to old Australian battle-fields (Middle East Journey —the first was Return to Glory and was about Papua-New Guinea) is designed for Australian consumption. Mr. Laffin thinks that Australians are the best fighters in the world, and sets out to prove it. For anyone outside the clan the result is likely to be as irritating as an inferior American war movie is to a non-American audience.

In the course of collecting ma terial for his book, Laffin visited Egypt, Libya, Greece, Crete, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, Syria, Morocco and Italy; and in writing it he has rehashed quite a lot of war history.

For the rest it covers little that a

thousand other books have already covered better.

The Australian soldier who ser in any of these areas will no do find much to interest him, ,how< —both in descriptions of the pit. in which he fought, as they now; and in descriptions of places that gave him recreation!

Mediterranean vice is adequai covered—as it probably had toe in any book dealing with fight men.

Most interesting parts of book are those dealing with the cemeteries of North Africa—for ways in which they resemble cemetries in the tropical Pac but more particularly for the w in which they differ.

It is a book that probably ] to be written sometime—and far as it goes it is adequate. (MIDDLE EAST JOURNEY, published by A= and Robertson, Ltd. 18/6 Aust.)

Expert Fishing and

Dirty Murder

IT does not seem possible that placid sport of trout-fishing; England should get deeply mii up with a first-class mur mystery; but this is what happe under the ingenious pen of Co Willock. Mr. Willock is the “angll correspondent” of the London Dt

ALL THE WAY TO NOWHERE AND BACK The fashion amongst Australian teenagers of toting their bite[?] AND PIECES IN airline cabin bags (and the more exotic the airlines[?] the better) has spread to New Guinea, where the trade-stores haves[?] cashed in on the demand. They come with various letters—al[?] carefully meaning nothing. But at first glance this particular variety[?] looks like the bag of a well-known American airline. This photograph[?] was taken on the wharf in Kavieng— and everyone wanted to be in[?] it. It was too involved to explain that it was the bag I was interested in.— JT.

Herald; and also is ambitious as a -writer of thrillers.

What he has written about the catching of trout, carp and salmon is—for the Antipodean reader, at any rate—exceedingly interesting.

But the machinery of his Whodunit creaks a little at the joints.

He sends a rather pompous Lon don publisher off on an angling holiday, and there goes with him, as a sort of Man Friday, one of the publisher’s junior photographers.

The publisher’s curvaceous and quick-witted secretary is presently dragged into the picture; and by then the fish-catching story is all mixed up with murder, hidden treasure, and general dirty dogginess among the guests of an anglers’ inn.

The publisher proceeds to aid the top-r ank i n g dectective-inspector named fiord (no one stops to ex plain why he isn’t Ford!) to solve the mysteries. Quick-moving, imag inative and, at times, amazing. (DEATH AT THE STRIKE, published by William Heinemann, Ltd., Sydney. 17/- Aust.)

Fiction Much

Stranger than Truth

MORRIS WEST’S factual account of life in the slums of Naples, which appeared under the ;itle Children of the Sun got full narks from the world’s book critics.

“Passionately felt”, said The Tablet. “Passionate and outraged feeling”, said the Times Literary Supplement. Someone else called it in “impassioned plea for the ur :hms of Naples’ slums.

Unfortunately impassioned pleas, md so forth, don’t usually sell in arge numbers, no matter what the eviewers think of them and ob viously to cash in on mass appeal, Vest or his publishers decided to do” a fictionalised version of the ;ame theme: graft and sin in nodern Italy.

This — The Big Story —has already )een rapped over the knuckles by he same critics who were lavish n their praise of Children of the Sun. it has been called a pot >oiler.

Writers, like everyone else, need o keep the pot boiling and if they onfined themselves to writing ocial documents they probably would not eat. There is a great deal )f difference in writing fiction— where the critics can crack down >n you for lack of literary merit— md writing fact about a well mown social evil which the critics Pill judge from its message—which hey wouldn’t care to ignore—and lot from its literary qualifications.

Why blame West therefore for everting to type? He has already written two other novels — Gallows m the Sand, which was a highly maginative story of buried Spanish

treasure; and Kundu an even more imaginative piece of writing about love and life in the Highlands of New Guinea.

The Big Story continues the pattern. If no better, it certainly is no worse than tens of thousands of other novels that come hot off the presses of the world each year. It may be far fetched—but so are most of the stories of Continental highsociety.

The hero is an American newspaperman, whose beat is the plush hotels and behind-the-scenes politics of Europe. He feels he has reached the pinnacle of his career, his big story, when he has almost

within his grasp the documentec history of one of Italy’s corrupt bui politically important aristocrats.

But at the last moment the big story blows up in his face. It i! what went wrong with the stor? that forms the theme of this novel i s background of novel* like Mr Wes t’s that give rea den exaggerated ideas of the lushnes* 0 f i if e 0 f newspapermen fabulou* hotels; aristocratic estates when legions of retainers will do every thing including murder; gorgeous women of little or no virtue, But this is standard fare in storie* of this type, and forgivable. Wha l we can’t forgive is the fact thai

aving progressed to page 220, with to go, it is all ended in a childish, nartistic fashion that would daunt ren the most ardent and case ardened thriller reader.

Either his publishers were pushing im too hard for the manuscript, r Mr. West got fed up with it imself. (THE BIG STORY, published by Wm. Heine ann. 17/- Aust.)

's In Your

wn Hands

lOW to read palms and please people is the subject of a small booklet published by World’s r ork —which usually confines it- If to religious works of various mensions.

The Modern Palmist, is by Dennis irry Jackson, BA, who has worked id is famous throughout six of ose British phenomena, Butlin’s ffiday Camps.

Mr. Jackson, BA, is an exuberant trovert who calls himself a srious palmist” (as distinct from e tea-shop variety that will see rk strangers and a journey over e water for 2/6 all in with your a).

Probably because of that BA he tacks palmistry from the psycho *ical and scientific angle. This ok will show you how to do like se—although some of the con isions you might come to after iding the letterpress and consult l the diagrams are quite terrify- T o • According to Mr. Jackson, your 1m can show whether you are ptured, got eye-strain or sensitive ms —as well as things about your c life, your brain power and your sic personality. [t’s all good fun —even though a f-diagnosis might leave you un cided whether you are the sen ive literary type (plus bad ineys); or a potential Rugby In mational (with a tendency to irds miscarriage).

THE MODERN PALMIST, published by World's rk. 3/9 Aust.)

In Brief

RED JADE: By Robert Payne, le theme of this novel is con lerably removed from the writer’s svious effort —the life of the young sus. This setting is in Peking of 50, and concerns the events which How the saving of the Emperor )m wild boars by Prince Lien. The ince is offered two gifts as & ward, and chooses something close disaster in a handsome young rvant named Molo and an Im rial concubine called Red Jade, le story is based partly on history. [Published by Heinemann. Australian price, /6-) (Over)

Vhat's New in Pocket Books

CHESE Fontana and Pan Books should be currently available at your book shop. Our copies are rom Wm. Collins (Overseas) Ltd. nd the prices in Australian irrency are: Pan Giant 5/-; rreat Pan 3/6; Pan 3/-; and ontana, 3/6.

Raintree County: Ross

ockridge Jr.’s best-seller which is ipposed to have done for America’s [iddle West what Gone With the Hnd did for the Old South. It is le story of one July 4 in Raintree ounty—but consists also of flash icks of the principal character, >hnny Shawnessy. The story has *en made into a motion picture arring Elizabeth Taylor and bntgomery Clift. (Pan Giant).

A Ring At The Door: Further

iges from the case book of surgeon eorge Sava for those people who ce to read about other people’s sides and the miracles of modern edicine. (Great Pan).

Carve Her Name With

■HDE: The now well-known story r R. J. Minney (first published 56) of Violette Szabo, the London top assistant who became a British cret agent in Occupied Europe and is shot by the Gestapo, aged 22. lis book inspired the J. Arthur mk film of the same name, olette left a daughter Tania, now lout 15; and her parents Mr. and rs. Charles Bushell, who migrated Australia some years ago. (Great in). (Young Tania, now 15, is a pupil a boarding school in Armidale, SW. Her grandparents live at Long tty, NSW. It was announced in mdon at the end of March that trust-fund will be set up for Tania om the proceeds of the film, which is recently been released in UK, d it is hoped, will be as success l as “Reach for the Sky”.

The Abc Murders: Agatha

iristie thrillers go round and ound and never die out. This rennial first saw the light in 36 —long enough ago to be fresh r new Christie (and Poirot) fans, reat Pan).

THE RINGER: Edgar Wallace— e father of the modern thriller— ?d 26 years ago, but his books are i enjoying a new vogue. This rticular one was regarded by allace fans of the 20’s as his best. ; had led a fabulous life before bting the literary jackpot with his /steries —some readers may re jmber some of earlier stories out Africa— Sanders of the River, J. (Pan).

STILL DIGGING; Sir Mortimer heeler, better known in Britain— lere he is a TV personality—than t here, gives this title to a book out himself and his adventures . archaeology in Britain and the iddle East. The narrative is rather asmodic —he calls it a scrap-book and there is a great deal more out Sir Mortimer than about

archaeology, but if you are interested in the latter and not the former, with the help of the “Contents” you can find what you want. Sir M. specialises in pre- Roman England. (Great Pan).

More From The Primeval

FOREST: Albert Schweitzer, the most publicised missionary since Livingstone tells of his second period in Africa, 1924-27, when he returned from Europe to find that the hospital he had set up had fallen into decay and he had to set about rebuilding it. (Fontana).

The Saint Steps In: Leslie

Charteris has Simon Templar up to his usual Robin Hood tricks. “Gay, debonair, tough”, as the book jacket describes it. This time it is in wartime America. There is the usual quota of beautiful females. (Pan).

The Megstone Plot: Andrew

Garve lives up to the promise of his earlier thriller Death and the Sky Above, and in a world of over worked thriller situations pro duces something quite new— although something is certainly owing to the Burgess-McLean affair. (Pan).

Dr. Bellamy Of Papua

Into PlM’s records go a series of articles published recently in Medical Journal of Australia, written by Robert H. Black, of Sydney School of Tropical Medicine.

Bellamy arrived in Eastern Papua, in 1903, and worked first in administration with the famous C. A. W. Monckton; and then was 10 years in charge of the anti venereal hospital in the Trobriands.

[?] hen The Fiji [?]nstabulary Called [?] The Admiral

A Memory, by C. WAGER

he Pacific Fleet had arrived in a harbour. The flagship, I think, HMS “Powerful”. Our Con mlary mess was rather shocked m Governor im Thurn’s ADC 7 up and said that the Old i’s instructions were that one of nust make a formal call on the ural.

DNE of us wanted the job, so we decided to draw for it.

During all the time I was in I never won even a fiver in a ;p; but, of course, it had to ne who drew the fatal slip for little lot. le others had fun in dressing for the event. Everything had o on—jingling spurs, cross-belt sword and, for the helmet, a n to replace the strap; and, on top, the button unscrewed to e room for a lovely, shining 3, about five inches long. 7 boat’s crew, with the Sergt.- Dr in charge, were also all ;hed up; and oif I went to the rf, to the point where they were ick me up. lere were two sailors standing s and, as X approached, an er from one of the ships came re from a small rowing-boat, irelled in riding gear, baggy ig breeches, gaiters, crop and s. id one Jack Tar to the other: ere’s ’e goin’, Bill?”

Drse ridin’,” said Bill. :’m”. said the first, “ ’Ope ’e ks ’is Weedin’ neck, don’t you?” that, my boat arrived and we off, sparkling in the sun like 30 engagement ring.

As we approached the ship I knew well that there were more than one telescope trained on us, and I could picture the look-out saying, “Gawd!

Wot’s this?”

There is, of course, a right and a wrong way to approach the gangway of a warship at anchor; but that delicate matter was quite safe in the hands of our Sergt.-Major.

With my four oars keeping perfeet time, and with a well-judged swoop, I was at the bottom of the gangway; while on the ship I have no doubt the Officer of the Watch, the Bo’sun and the Little Midshipmite were all at their proper positions for what was quite clearly a formal occasion.

I jingle-jingle-jingled up the steps, stepped over a scupper business, and came to attention in the approved manner to salute the Quarter-deck.

I must point out that all this happened over fifty years ago. In spite of an incurable attack of old age, a bit of a coronary spree and a mild stroke thrown in for luck, I am still a six-footer. The helmet and the spike I was wearing must have put another ten inches on to this, a u nrr ;ui p frach M nomme When I came to attention there was a horrible crash, when I rammed that confounded spike into the

odwork —an awning sort of busi is—overhead. What the Navy led it I don’t know, and what I led it you wouldn’t print, had my helmet under my arm, I my sword probably between my 5, when a smiling officer stepped to me.

What the hell does a man do :t. after a blasted thing like t?” said I. [ suppose you are calling on the nirai”, he said. “No need to ite any time seeing him. Just at your cards into that tray over :e, and come with me”, went with him to the ward-room, remember tossing my helmet, rd and belt on to a settee; and e, good as my memory is, at that it it lets me down—for I re tiber nothing more of that par lar afternoon, or how or when ft that hospitable ship, can only hope they didn’t put into a cargo sling, hoist me up swing me out, and lower me n to the loving arms of our ;t.-Major.

[?]Father Designed [?]age Stamps [?]he Tongan Issue of 1897

By J. D. Whitcombe

E Tongan issue of 1897 was de signed by my late father, C. D.

Whitcombe, who was then Min of Foreign Affairs to the Gov lent of Tonga. The scenes em sd were photographed by Mr. sa Martin, of Auckland, le id bore the Tonga Coat of s. The Id depicted an ova tree, growing close to the old Free :ch of Tonga, Nukualofa, and is under this tree that the Rev. . Watkin conducted one of his services after the Methodists taken over the Free Church.

Rev. Watkin died a few months e 2d. depicted King George u II soon after his coronation, e 3d. was of the Haamonga or lehenge” stones, one of the s of Nukualofa, e 6d. was a photo of a collec of coral taken in our sitting at Nukualofa, e 4d. bore a bunch of bread e 2/- depicted King George ►u’s keel yacht The Crown, i off the islands of Kao and a in the Haapai Group. She the first keel yacht to sail fan waters and was built by a ng Auckland boat builder, e 2/6 depicted the Tongan )t or Kaka, found mainly on sland of Eua. e 5/- carried a view of the tiful harbour of Vavau.

Affairs continue dull in the South West Pacific shipping business —with generally far more vessels offered for sale than there are customers to buy them.

Fhe post-war ship boom is ended; ps now cost such a large lount in comparison with pre i prices, the small ship business now almost beyond anyone but I Business.

Jost of the new vessels entering vice are government orders —and m places far removed from the ith Pacific. This drift of orders the Continent and Far East has ant less islands work in Aus lasian ship yards. There is some ibt as to whether ships from far ces are cheaper in the long run, yever. (see p. 111), t’s not a Depression—but it is •ugh of a recession to start re :ting on the traditional pivot ition New Zealand and Australia g enjoyed in the South Pacific pping business.

Tiere are still some new births, course. Two christenings are eduled for Sydney in the next nth.

Scow Named

’he 56-ft scow being built by rne Halvorsen, Sydney, for the >ua-New Guinea Administration, be named Parama. (We thought first, on hearing the name over phone, that it was Taurama i that the vessel was being led in memory of an historic at at the PIR Barracks. Meaning Parama is not known). he christening will take place, bably on April 19, at Berry’s Bay. ne of personage officiating has yet been announced.

Mate Of Australia To

Listen Southern Cross

outhern Cross, the eighth vessel )ear this famous name was suc ifully launched at Ballina, NSW March 8 before a large crowd. was built by Ballina Slipway Engineering Co., a subsidiary of 3. White Pty. Ltd., of Sydney, i designed by Sydney naval utect Arthur N. Swinfield. be has an overall length of 72 and a beam of 20 feet. She has immodation for the Bishop of anesia while on tour, the master, e European passengers, and a ive crew of eight. Being in fact Bishop’s yacht, she will cover an irnous area in the course of her ies, and for this reason, has a :e capacity for fuel oil and h water. She will be powered

with (2) 4L3 Gardner diesel engines along with auxiliary equipment for refrigeration, etc. She is built of NSW hardwoods, with the exception of decks, deckhouses and bulwarks —which are of Oregon. All fasten ings and sheathing are of copper and she is very strongly constructed and beautifully fitted out.

Trials should be carried out in the near future whereupon she comes to Sydney from Ballina for dedication by Archbishop Mowll (about May)—thence on to Honiara,

Bsi.

This new vessel comes from the same builder and designer as Eaddeley, now well known in the BSI and New Hebrides.

Manus Backwards Arrives

The 45-ft motor vessel which was built at Maryborough, Queensland, for the Manus Association of Native Co-operative Societies, arrived in the Territory in February.

Named Sunam (Manus spelled backwards) she will carry copra, shell and other trade goods and passengers for the co-operative societies on Manus.

She will be the 12th vessel owned by native co-operatives throughout the Territory. The others range in size from 16 ft to 60 ft, and are valued at about £86,000.

Melva Gives Satisfaction

In Sydney recently was Mr.

Aitken-Quack, purchaser last No vember of Mr. Hugh Williams’ 243ton Melva. He expressed satisfaction with his purchase, which is now operating between Darwin and Timor, mainly carrying stores and equipment for the Timor oil prospecting company.

Mr. Aitken-Quack, an English man, was formerly with John Manners. He has called his own company Dartim Shipping Co., which is a contraction of Darwin and Timor. Melva is now registered in Hongkong and is crewed by a team of Bathurst Islanders.

Bulolo Fires Unsolved

The person or persons who started the half-dozen fires on Burns Philp’s MV BulolO on March 9 remain unknown.

Three of the fires were in cabins, three in the dining room and another on the staircase. They were soon put out and not much damage was done. Sydney Arson Squad de tectives said that an inflammable liquid had been used.

A party had been held on board by crew 7 members on the night be fore the fires but detectives are working on the theory that the fires were started by a former crew member who had been dismissed or bore a grudge. All present crew have been interrogated—and many ex crew, from as far away as Bribane.

The vessel sailed for P-NG ports on March 17, on schedule.

Nuguria In 50 Fathoms

Results of the preliminary inquiry into the sinking of Nuguria oft Long Island, NG (PIM, March, p. 21), was that striking a submerged object was probably the cause.

Nuguria, of about 40 tons and 60

The 42 ft. long auxiliary ketch "Asha", recently fitted with a new 5 L.W. Gardner, at Lila and Sons boatyard, Suva, Fiji. Her re duction gear gives her a top speed of 13 knots and the owner now claims her to be the fastest vessel of her size in Fiji waters. Photo was taken at her engine trials in Suva. She will shortly go back into coastal service in the Group. —Stinsons.

t, has been well known around k Britain and New Guinea bers since mid-way through the r, when she began operating as a ;pital ship. The hold, subsequently id for cargo, was originally a *e operating theatre, iter the war she was converted cargo carrying and was operated a long period under charter the Bougainville Company.

Darently the company later ght her—it has been reported t she was sold by them last r. Her master at the time of her ling was Capt. Bert Wickham, » described as part-owner. uguria was on a voyage from >aul to Madang with tran iped cargo from the Far East.

March 7, she struck what was arently a log, but examination «ed no visible damage. On the ning of March 8, more than a ■ of water was noticed in the ine room. Pumps and a bucket ade failed to make any head against the intake and the per headed the vessel for Long nd. The ship finally sank on a f off the island but later slipped into about 50 fathoms of water, native crew’ of 12 and 10 native lengers got ashore without dif- Ity and were later picked up by Army vessel, Tarra.

Fch That Radio

Fallation

land ship owners purchasing vessels should take note that r radio telephone installations have to comply with new 7 lations under some adminis :ons after October 15 next year, luipment manufacturers are taring to produce sets to meet new requirements, but mean e there are likely to be at tive price-tags attached to the -obsolete sets. So owners should e certain from their local radio ectors that the contemplated illation will meet requirements will not have to be replaced, le new regulations will call for ansmitter of not less than 50 s or more than 200 watts aerial sr for a vessel of Class 111 and i. power of 15 watts to 100 watts a Class IV vessel, ass 111 vessels are cargo ships w 1,600 tons. Class VI are ships a license to carry more than passengers coastwise. Many ids craft are within these classes in some administrative areas r existing low-powered gear have to be replaced next year.

Gan Ship

(S Officers

ie Tonga Copra Board has y been advertising for a ified deep-water master and f engineer for its new 500-ton

A oniu now nearing completion in Holland and expected to be de livered May-June.

The term of service is for three years, principally within the Group but occasionallv further afield but occasionally further afield.

As the vessel is being delivered by contract the above officers will presumably take control at Tonga, The advertised rate of salary ranges between £T.1,340-£T.1,440 (equivalent to Australian currency) for master, and £T.1,300-£T.1.400 for fu a oncTi n opr cne e gneei.

It would appear probable that the smaller Hifofua, for delivery from the same yard a little later, will be entirely manned by Tongan officers.

Non-Magnetic Schooner

As a result of world-wide in quiries concerning the probable lt ‘“£ ra So a . nd P resent whereabouts of the 680-ton non-magnetic Russian research schooner Zarya, it appears that the vessel is still in the South Atlantic or Indian Oceans and that she may traverse only the extreme Western Pacific in the latter stages 0 f her IGY voyage, which will term mate at Vladivostok, „ Hll rw Sli.o will not/ enter the Pacific vis- Cape Horn as earlier reported. She i s to call at Mauritius, Bombay, Diego Garcia, and Wetheroo in Western Australia.

Supplying the above information the Superintendent of the Magnetic

spartment of the Royal Greenwich eervatory added that Zarya was lit in Finland four years ago >ecially for her present work. Not tirely non-magnetic, she is lipped with special degaussing lipment.

She carries instruments for the itinuous recording of the hori ital and vertical magnetic com lents of the earth’s magnetic d Magnetic declination is also itinuously recorded, with true ■th established by gyro. In diti o n, continuous electronic an soundings -are recorded and an current observations made.

Fails Of Coral Queen

lue for delivery late June, the md of the new modern steel sels building in Hongkong for WPHC for use in BSIP waters, be named Coral Queen, will be somewhat small vessel than anesian, 241 tons gross, delivered year. he tonnage of Coral Queen is not available, but her dimensions 104 ft o.a. x 24 ft x ft ilded depth, as compared with ; ft x 27 ft. tie will have a mean draught of

t, a cargo capacity of 4,200 cu. nd a service speed of about 10 s. The propulsion units of both "Is are identical—t win 144 i. Gardner BL3 diesel s —a led pair. •raZ Queen will have special mmodation for the High Com ioner, cabin accommodation for >ther first-class passengers, and ision for 40 deck passengers. vessel’s external hull and rstructure will be shot-blasted zinc sprayed to prevent rust.

Melanesian was built by the old established and well-known Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co. Coral Queen is being built by Hong Kong Transportation Co.’s ship-building subsidiary, Pacific Islands Ship building Co., which has built a large number of vessels for service in South East Asian waters.

The Auckland Harbour Board has just ordered two large steel lighters horn this company, which appears to be actively seeking South Pacific business.

One or more other vessels are also building in Hongkong for the WPHC fleet for use in GEIC waters and details are being sought from Tarawa. It is understood that a

crew has already been despatched for the first of these.

Time Sigs For Fiji

Because some Fiji smallships are not equipped with radio receivers suitable for the reception of time signals from WWVH in Hawaii— the source of time signals most used in the South Pacific —and be cause some seamen apparently find the WWVH time signal difficult to understand, Fiji authorities have arranged to relay signals from Radio New Zealand over the local Fiji Broadcasting Service stations.

Reports of these signals, at 0700

Gmt. 2000 Gmt, And 2100 Gmt.

[?]tika", one of the New Guinea coastal [?] at a Madang company's slipway in [?]ary. Madang slipways are increasingly [?]ar with smallship owners—even from as way as Netherlands New Guinea.

ire being sought in March by the va Harbour Master. Captain W. Harness. They are the familiar lip system, marking the last five :onds of the hour which ends with » final pip.

Ol For Disgruntled

Gineer

hi engineer who damaged the irication system of the co jratively owned 44-ton Fiji ketch -i-Natoba subsequent to his dis ssal by the owners, was sentenced three months gaol in a Suva irt early March. ’he vessel was at sea when the v engineer discovered the nage and the ship put back to t. The accused admitted the ince.

Velist Afloat

a January we mentioned Ernest Gann’s Panama-registered brig ine Albatros which cruised south French Polynesia in 1956. hat veteran windjammer skipper 1 one-time master of Zane Grey’s ierman, Captain Fred K. bingat, writing from his home San Pedro, says that Albatros, unsold, is now at Oakland pre ing for a cruise to Scandinavia, will sail, presumably via lama, in April, with writer Gann ard to seek further best-selling 7ot many in the Islands saw itros in 1956. She is almost a "r ship to Irving Johnson’s aid Yankee, and an attractive det prepared by Gann, and sent ig by Captain Klebingat, gives Lhat is known of her interesting ory. uring the war she served as a man submarine officers’ training t and as a direction-finding ti o n for submarines in the ntic.

'ter the war she was seized by British—together with the craft known as Yankee, and others later sold to the Dutch Royal Lloyd Line as a train vessel for officers, who used her that purpose from 1949 to 1953 r spending $25,000 on her. len the 90-year-old head of the ffi company, a firm believer in training for his officers, was ed to give way to other opinion the subject and Albatros was up and soon purchased by n. ider his ownership she has been d with many modern navi- Dnal aids. She measures 117 ft all x 82 ft w.l. x 92 ft deck x ft beam x lOi ft draught, rdmg to the booklet, and she is 7 tons gross and 49 tons nett, wording to Gann, she has been irately clocked at 13 knots with engine or staysails. Her 300 hp Dat motor drives her at about 6 ;s under power alone. She is a

riveted iron or steel vessel. She may yet be seen through the Islands.

Her name takes the Dutch form with a single “s”.

Launched With The Aid

Of M. Chanel

Some time ago we reported the launching of a mission ship with the aid of coconut milk. In March yet another variation was offered at the pearling atoll of Manihiki when Louisa Marekino, a shell divers tender, was sent down the ways with the assistance of two quart bottles of Parisian perfume.

The launching report does not explain why one quart could not have done the trick.

Measuring 19 ft x 81 ft and built by shell trader Tangi Jim, the com pleted vessel, decorated wi h mats, streamers, and every kind of needle work gift from fancy lace to colourful bed-spreads, was first blessed by the Rev. Father Marinus, then launched by Mrs. Don Bryan, wife of the island’s Resident Agent.

To follow soon are two other craft being built by Ben Ellis, a leading citizen. These boats, and others, too, will be heading for Suwarrow, probably in tow of the ketch Taveuni, when that vessel returns from her Auckland refit in April to transfer a diving team to the latter atoll.

Off The Beam

On the basis of signals received back from their Sputniks, visual sightings of same, and other IGY data, Russian scientists have de termined that Greenwich Mean Time as at present used by navi gators is way out.

Clocks have been running slow, they figure, by a full thousandth of a second per day—so you weren’t and aren’t where you thought you were at all.

New Govt. Yacht

For Fiji

To be named Ra Marama, and to be manned, both on the delivery voyage and in service, by Fiji RNVR officers and crew, a new wooden twin screw motor yacht is due at Suva from the yard of John I.

Thornycroft & Co. Ltd., Singapore, in May or June.

Of teak, with metal sheathing to the waterline, Ra Marama is in tended for transportation of the Governor about the Group on his official duties, medical patrol work, and hydrographic survey duties when not otherwise engaged.

She replaces Viti II ex Royal Flight, sold late 1954 to Captain E. T. S. Withers for use on the Lautoka-Yasawas passenger cruise

THERE SHE BLOWS! But this is no whale — it’s a huge water spout which appeared in Suva harbour recently and moved parallel with the reef for about half a mile before collapsing. —Fiji Public Relations Office.

vice and by him renamed Blue 7 oon. la Marama is a vessel of pleas profile with moderate sheer, ed bow, cruiser stern, and raised I’sle which extends back to about dships. On the after part of this :’sle and at the fore end of a *ish deck-house is the bridge, ‘rail length is not known, but iwn dimensions are 85 ft b.p. x ft bm. x 6 ft max. draft. There 10 provision for carriage of any jo. She is powered by a pair of dner BL3 diesels, ommander S. B. Brown, FRNVR, or naval officer, will be in com id on the delivery voyage. He a crew are already standing by Singapore. tie contract price of the vessel sported as £F.60,000. At additional she will later be equipped with ain instruments for hydro )hic survey work.

Big Uplift

r. Les Ellis, who in his .city of chief stevedore of Pacific edoring Agency, of Auckland, probably had more contact with inese ships and seamen in post years than anyone else in New and, vail be leaving Auckland a big Islands job in April. ! will fly to Papeete to stevedore loading of the largest consign b of scrap metal probably ever leave that port in what is led to be the largest Japanese ever chartered for this type argo since the war. th the Papeete carbo aboard vill sail in the ship to Apia, then to Suva, where further ignments will be loaded before vessel stops off in New Zealand, eparations for the shipment been in hand for months past.

South Pacific east of New lonia has been combed for all ble wrecks and scrap dumps to abute to this special charter ng. Scrap still remains, but at int comparitively low prices it d not be worth while moving im certain inaccessible islands. . Ellis was last in Papeete as id officer in that American

d flag-of-convenience-regist

ship Sea Pearl, since lost off Guinea. Last year he organised S scrap shipment from Pago

Eone Owns That Wreck

‘ have reported previously that panese fishing vessel has been id for sale by the Receiver of k in Suva, With numbers of vessels planting themselves y on South Pacific reefs in it years, and with a general est in other wrecks—in some of very ancient vintage—as itial sources of scrap metal, a mg may be timely: All such cs, no matter how old, have an

owner, even if they have long since been “abandoned”.

Whoever this owner may be, all negotiations regarding purchase of such a wreck must be carried out through the Receiver of Wreck — usually the Chief Collector of Customs—of the country administer ing the territory on which the wreck lies, and there are heavy penalties for even boarding such a wreck without his permission.

In many cases the Receiver will be the official “owner” of old abandoned wrecks, but in any case Customs duty will probably be chargeable on materials salvaged, if the vessel was registered outside the territory on which it was wrecked.

In the case of a wreck lying on an isolated submerged reef outside

the administration of any country, the wreck presumably is admin istered by the Receiver of Wreck of the country in which the ship is registered, or she may be con sidered as flotsam, in which case any portion salvaged must be de livered to the Receiver of Wreck of the country to whom the salvor be longs.

Maritime law is highly involved, but the point we make is that no wreck is ever “abandoned" in the sense that whoever comes along at a later date may help himself with out fear of legal complications.

French Naval Accident

Four seamen of the French sloop Francis Gamier, a vessel well known

Jouth Pacific waters, were seri y injured, one losing a hand, as result of a flash-back by a »rs gun which was firing an ial salute as the vessel arrived Wellington, NZ, from French nesia in mid-March. The vessel earlier been engaged in at ited salvage of the Papeete d Catalina aircraft which tied in Raiatea lagoon with y loss of life. The aircraft first ; in about 20 feet of water but swept by the current into :t 120 feet of water before all es were recovered.

Very Is Costly

February PIM we noted that ralian shipping men were ulating as to what it was going ost Prince Tungi to have his h-built vessels A’oniu and fua delivered. The answer is rently “plenty”. The Auckland )our Board has just accepted a er of £Stg.lo,3oo for the delivery s new tug Aucklander— a vessel imparable size or smaller. That of money gives a somewhat rent look to the favourable ling prices offering in Europe other distant parts, and should s ship owners to check again tearer markets.

Service To Bsip

e New Guinea Australia Line’s riment in running one of its

ships via the Solomons has proved successful.

The call at Yandina has, however, been cut out as there was not suf ficient support from the port. The company is pleased with the sup port it is getting in the way of passengers and cargo from Honiara, and calls at this port will continue.

The Sinkiang has been used on this service. After Honiara, calls are made at Rabaul and other New Guinea ports before heading south to Sydney.

Duty-Free Fuel In Papeete

Standard Oil’s tanker J. L. Hanna arrived Papeete February 9 with the first consignment of gasoline and petroleum for the company’s newly completed bulk installation at Point Fare Ute, Papeete.

SAURL Petroles, a locally formed company, will market all of Standard Oil products; they commenced busi ness February 25.

An innovation of interest to visit ing yachemen will be facilities for the sale of duty-free gasoline and kerosene.

Witjaz On Third Igy Journey

The Russian hydrographic re search vessel Witjaz, now familiar in some parts of the Pacific, will probably visit Port Moresby on her third cruise just commenced. (Over)

NO EXPENSE SPARED.—Expected to arrive in Papeete during the next few months [?] the MV "Telesis" owned by Theron S. Cederlund, of Sausalito, California. This vessel [?]is a converted US Navy submarine chaser on which no expense has been spared in the conversion. A four man crew operates the vessel.

Bob Fenton (ex "Taihoa") is mate.

"Telesis" has a length of 110 ft., beam 18 ft. 5 in., draft 6 ft. Power is supplied [?]y twin 1,200 h.p. diesel engines, giving a cruising speed of 10 knots with a maximum [?]peed of 22 knots. Cruising range exceeds 3,000 miles. Accommodation includes four [?]double and three four-berth staterooms, equipped with central heating and forced air [?]rentilation, along with five lavatories and three showers. Also a lounge, dining area, [?]lalley and large deck areas fore and aft. Operational equipment includes radar, record [?]ng and visual fathometer, loran, radio direction finder, radio-telephone, auto pilot, gyro [?]ompass and a one ton capacity power winch.

The owner hopes to cruise the Pacific Islands but is also interested in charter [?]ork for scientific expeditions, etc. Enquiries in this respect should be addressed to [?]im care of PO Box 99, Sausalito, California, USA.

e cleared Vladivistok March 23 67 scientists on board. e visited Rabaul, NG, on her voyage last July-August; the laus, Suva and Wellington, NZ, tier second Pacific expedition, ing the last port on January ir Vladivostok via the meridian ’2 deg. E.

Chant Navy Programme

from April 1, the special tic transmission of the BBC hant Navy Programme, formerly i at 0730 GMT. has been ntinued. The initial trans on is on Thursday, 1830 GMT, the repeat transmissions are on Friday at 1245 and 2200 P. The latter (10 a.m., Saturday, time) is well received in the ic/s band at present, and the r two are well received on r frequencies.

Owners For Rosalie

e motor-vessel Rosalie has to new owners after 12 months p. and will enter the Noumea- Hebrides trade. is vessel is of wooden construc and was built in New Zealand ig the war. She is a sister ship e ill-fated Monique , which dis ared in calm weather on a ?e between Mare Is. and nea some years ago-taking her 123 people.

'salie has been used in the New donia coastal trade but has lying at anchor in Noumea 3ur for the last year. The com that owned her is in liquida-

Japanese Take Most Whales

If an agency report from Tokyo is correct, the six Japanese whaling fleets now homeward bound from the Antarctic took no less than 11,723 blue whale units of the allowable catch of 14,500 blue whale units permitted jointly to all nations en gaged in that area.

The total was reached in mid- March. The report may have meant that the Japanese took 11,723 whales, which might be very con siderably less than that number of blue whale units. This adopted unit, based on the largest blue whales,

represents several whales of smaller varieties.

Tokyo Radio said, however, on March 17 that one factory ship which had sailed for home that day had 8,000 blue whale units aboard, sc the agency report could be correct and would indicate a very small catch for some of the 20 expedi tions owned by the other four nations involved.

[?]feboat "Dana Rescuer" (see PIM March, p. 103) on demonstration cruise around the world.

Photo: Max R. Hart.

L/Vs Of Cruising Yachts

LAMERHAK II should be on the move n soon. Israeli Joseph Havkins returned lydney per ORCADES early March to pre the 23-ft. yawl for continuation of his mnavigation voyage via Philippines, Hong , Indonesia, South Africa, South and North ■ica. Havkins flew back to Israel from ralia a year ago after hitch-hiking from ey to Darwin. At home he made a re tour earning sufficient to pay his fare to Sydney by sea via the US and to ce the next stage of his voyage. He ; a lecture tour through the US when •aches there in a couple of years time.

TAKI-O-AUTAHI, claimed the shortest craft ross both Atlantic and Pacific, reached land, owner Mangan's home port, March id the yacht is now for sale. But that not mean that Bill Mangan has swallowed mchor; he's looking for a larger craft to nue his ocean wanderings.

NONA of London, 71*ft. gaff cutter, with and Mrs. J. Chaning-Pearce, Mr. C. J.

Her, and Mr. W. C. Hodgson aboard, made and March 4, having cleared Papeete 24 previously, thus completing, in the 57ild yacht, the voyage which commenced in 1956. Finances were running low and ise some cash on the trans-Pacific run hip's radio telephone set had been sold i Galapagos. Mrs. Chaning-Pearce's mother in the wharf to greet the yacht at Auck- Principal complaint: not a fish was d to assist the providoring department e way from England. Cost of the cruise, ing yacht: £3,500.

REMONA of San Diego, Cal., a 105-ft. schooner sailed by owner Bob Insinger his wife, family, and an unspecified r of friends, has been in South Pacific ; these past two months, having visited Guinea, the Solomons, Fiji, and Pago from where she was to clear for Papeete lome again. She called at Honolulu on utward voyage. Under other ownership veil found craft figured in the Trans- Race (US-Hawaii) —the one prior to the event. Mr. Insinger purchased the yacht :posing of a tuna fishing business. The made an unscheduled call at Honiara, mid-February for news of Mate Indrek i, who had to leave the vessel in NG as flown to Moresby for hospital treat- GOLDEN RULE, loaded with ideals but s not with seamen, put back to Los s in February a few days after sailing H-bomb protest voyage to Eniwetok. iled again from San Pedro on March 27, ban-the-bomb cruise. Four persons are rd.

AHITI NUI-11, arrived Callao from Con n on March 29, before the final kick stward on the KON-TIKI - SEVEN LITTLE S road to French Polynesia, is made of i cypress logs, has a 13-ft. x ft on deck for crew, and is "ketch-rigged" lasts 40-ft. and 33£ ft. high respectively, roportionate sail area it will be scarcely to call this a "drift" voyage. TAHITI is manned by Captain Eric de Bisschop > companions.

S Your Yacht In Lloyds Register?

why not? There are many advantages ring your craft listed in this inter lly known Register. All yachts, whether or foreign, may be listed at no cost d that they have a working sail area ;ss of 300 square feet or, in the case or cruisers, if they are not less than waterline. This famous publication ap :ach April, price £Stg.3/17/6, and each appears Lloyds Register of American at $2O or English equivalent price. A in these publications does not mean ification, but all yachts will be classified 'ds surveyor if their construction meets deifications laid down and owners wish

them to be classified, for which there is naturally a surveyor's fee to pay. A form for listing details of a yacht may be obtained from the Editor, Register of Yachts, Lloyds Register of Shipping, Garrett House, Manor Royal, Crawley, Sussex, England. Details must be lodged by December for the following e d' t,on - • The rest of SALMO's world cruise has been postponed due to an expected increase in the Hamilton family Lieut.-Commander Hamilton will sail for the US from Tahiti, via Tuamotus and Marquesas. • TE VEGA was scheduled to depart Papeete on a round trip charter to Rarotonga on February 6. • CELESTE, of Balboa, owned by Richard Cosmos, has been sold to Donald Cameron (ex-

Celebes, Solquist, Miranda) For $5,000.

Mr. Cameron has since dry-docked the vessel

for welding repairs, and eventually plans to cruise the Society group and head for the States via Honolulu, to dispose of CELESTE on the west coast. NOVIA, 34-ft. San Diego ketch, will be remaining in New Zealand waters for some time Owners Lee and Anne Gregg left Auck land for the US in mid-February by air to settle some business there following the death of a relative. ARTHUR ROGERS, more work-boat than yacht these days, was momentarily expected in Auckland from the New Hebrides in February.

Tom Hepworth was reported to be accompanied b V a member of the well-known Tongan Stephens family on his dodge south through the hurricane zone. Meanwhile Diana, who came south by air as special nurse in care of Bob Grant of VE TEGA some time ago, is visiting friends in the Sooth Island of NZ, pending Tom's arrival.

A'oniu.

Albatros.

Arthur Rogers. 801010.

Bergensf jord.

Coral Queen.

Celeste.

Dana Rescuer.

Francis Gamier.

Golden Rule.

Hifofua.

J L Hanna.

Kungsholm.

Katika.

Louisa Marekino.

Lamerhak 11.

Melva.

Maigu-I.

Nuguria.

Nona.

Novia.

Parama.

Ra Marama.

Rosalie.

Remona.

Sea Pearl.

Salmo.

“Sinkiang.

Sunam.

Southern Cross.

Ta-i-Natoba.

Telesis.

Taki-o-Autahi.

Tahiti Nui 11.

Te Vega.

Witjaz.

Yankee.

Zarya.

Two magnificent liners were seen in South Pacific ports in February and March when they were making luxury tours of the area with American tourists. On page 65 is shown the Norwegian-America Line passenger ship "Bergensfjord" which left New York on January 10 and sailed through the Panama Canal to Peru, Easter Is., Pitcairn, Papeete, Rarotonga to New Zealand and Australian ports and returned via Port Moresby, Suva, Honiara, Tonga, American Samoa, French Poly nesia, Galapagos and West Indies. This vessel is less than two years old, has a crew of over 400 and for this cruise the passenger list was restricted to 380.

"Kungsholm", below, belongs to the Swedish Amerika Line, is of 22,000 tons and carried 600 passengers on her Pacific cruise. Port Moresby and Suva were on the itinerary; minimum fare was about £A1,200.

Just before these two Scandinavian ships called, the Matson vessel "Lurline" also did the round. Port Moresby people had these things to say about all these dollar tourists: (a) their wealth is probably in inverse ratio to the weirdness of their clothes—the town was buzzing for days over the odd get-up of most of the visitors; (b) it is exceedingly difficult to extract an honest dollar from these tourists who have been everywhere, seen every thing and already collected most of it.

Moresby shopkeepers say that the best spenders are Australian tourists (possibly be cause they are not yet so blase) and the legendary American who flings his dollars around for grass-skirts and a string of shell beads disappeared from the South Pacific scene when the Gl's returned home after the war. —Photo by Fiji PRO.

lunda Airstrip

ack in Business

The old American airstrip at !unda, in the British Solomons, back in use—for commercial rcraft. Qantas began using the rip from March 24, on the thrice onthly service between Honiara id Lae, New Guinea.

The strip was reconditioned in a ne-months’ works programme, id now has refuelling facilities id a 7,000 ft runway—which is ore than capable of handling the 23 ’s using it. It’s obviously oomed for bigger things in the dening Pacific air network (see M, February, p. 21).

Munda replaces Barakoma as the k-down point for Gizo, Admini •ation centre for the Western lomons. Passengers from Gizo 11 now have to contend with a : hours’ launch journey, instead three as before. \ Honiara report says that use Henderson Field for aircraft has ;o been approved by DCA, but thing is known there about when mderson will replace the present miara strip.

Henderson, like Munda, could be important link in the new Pacific ■ chain.

dan Question Finally

Jts an Answer

fhe officially unanswered question whether New Guinea Asians mted Australian citizenship uld be able to work and live in stralia without restriction, has iv been answered—officially, Australian Immigration Minister svnley said in answer to questions the Commonwealth Parliament March 11 that NG Asians mted citizenship would be Dwed in Australia without any trictions at all. le said it has been estimated it about 2,200 Asians in P-NG re eligible for naturalisation as as residence requirements were icerned. However, there was no imate of the total number able satisfy all requirements for zenship, he added, rhe decision to grant selected w Guinea Asians Australian zenship was made about 12 nths ago, but not until towards - end of last year was an aouncement made giving details the qualifications needed for zenship.

Then the announcement did not te whether Asians would be )wed to enter Australia freely, i there was some confusion on i point (see PIM, November, 7, p. 19) .

Meanwhile, in Lae, NG, in late rch, the annual State Congress

of the Returned Soldiers’ League resolved that “any person” who collaborated with the Japanese during the war should not be eligible for Australian citizenship, even if there were doubt that he acted under compulsion.

Rabaul sub-branch of the RSL brought the matter by up asking for a rigid screening of applicants for naturalisation. The decision will be forwarded to the Federal body of the RSL.

A Shield of Pity Against

The Woodsman's Axe

Noumea, New Caledonia, has not a great many tourist attractions as Islands territories go. But among the things that visitors comment on are the tree-lined streets —attractive, shady avenues that many ether Islands would like, and haven’t got.

Now the Noumea town council wants to take away many of the trees. Its explanation is that they are old and dangerous, and there is risk of falling branches injuring someone; and that the falling fruit from some of the trees has an of fensive smell.

But Noumea’s tree lovers—and it appears that there are a great deal more of them than the council contemplated—have rallied to the cause.

Newspaper letter writers and even poets have put up a spirited resist ance in an effort to halt the woods man’s axe.

They have pointed out that the problem of falling branches can be solved if the council properly pruned the trees, and that the argument about a smell is a some what quaint excuse in a town where gutters are as noisome as Noumea’s.

And overnight more than 50 of the threatened trees have been painted with the word “Pitie” (mercy) in foot-high letters —the towns people’s way of giving the trees the right to say a word in their own defence. (Over)

One of Noumea's shady avenues—threatened with the woodsman's axe. Top picture shows the word "pitie" (mercy) in foot-high letters, splashed on one of the disputed trees. —F. Dunn.

-Operatives Conference

r Port Moresby

tort Moresby will be the scene a South Pacific Commission ference on co-operatives from y 1 to August 1. About 30 co ra tive officers and administra i officials from many South ific territories will attend, elegates will discuss the growing icrtance of co-operatives in ific development. They will study bus techniques for organising n, and for training staff to run n. he meeting will also study and >rt on ways in which the SPC d help territories with their iperative programmes.

king The

payer

is interesting to speculate on thoughts of the proud ancestors the present Polynesians, were able to peruse the current lates of expenditure in the Cook ids —with particular reference tie item of £2,500 for the pur e of cows’ milk for school Iren. wever healthy atoll children leir limited diet of coconuts and may seem—and appearances )ften very misleading as health ;ys have shown —the modern cian turns thumbs down on iuts as a substitute for cows’ sn if this were not the case, present economic situation in

took Islands is such that there y are not enough drinking iuts available because sufficient not been planted. 3 Estimates make it clear, '/er, that buying and doling out milk is only a part of the Each little island must have ,000 milk-room for the storage nixing of the milk, s year two water-catchment and milk-rooms (combined) 36 built at Manihiki and two enrhyn at a cost of £3,300

per island. Pukapuka will have a similar installation costing £1,650 and Rakahanga a simple little £l.OOO milk-room only. Allowing that the milk side of things costs £l,OOO per time, a sum of £7,500 will be devoted to the cause of milk this current year. All this milk is im ported in the form of dried full cream milk powder.

About £27,000 will also be spent in the Cook Islands this year in transporting public servants and school children within the Group and overseas.

Roughly half of this amount will be spent on local internal trans port, and probably about 40 per cent, of the total sum will be in volved in moving people from point to point on Rarotonga’s 20odd miles of main road. There is no organised private road transport, though some non-government passengers are shifted by privately owned motor trucks, so these costs apply to government vehicles and drivers.

Some £B,OOO will be spent on road maintenance, of which £5,250 will be expended on Rarotonga’s 21-mile main road.

The Question of

That Continental Shelf

The Law of the Sea Conference being held at Geneva, was, as expected, well bogged down at the end of March on the issue of an agreed width of Territorial Waters, regarding which the 87 nations represented hold widely divergent views.

Agreement had been reached on a definition of the continental shelf, but it appears to leave plenty of room for dispute. By a majority of 51 votes, with 10 abstentions, the following definition was approved; “. . . the term Continental Shelf is used as referring to the sea bed to a depth of 200 metres or beyond that limit, to where the depth of the superjacent water admits to the exploitation of the natural resources of the said areas”. u The definition applies also to . . similar submarine areas adjacent to and surrounding islands”.

The critical words in italics above appear to be a highly unsatisfactory compromise, for evidently the Continental Shelf will vary in width as the technical resources available for exploitation of the “resources” are improved.

For example, while it may not be possible to drive an oil well or exploit minerals at depths greater than 200 metres today—though this is doubtful—it may well be possible to do these things in a very few years time.

But even with the shelf defined, there is still the question of what goes with it. Some delegations favoured total control of everything on, above, and below the surface of

i continental shelf sea bed; some sidered that only minerals uld be under the control of the ntry adjoining the shelf; and srs again wished to include tionary fish” with minerals — t is, pearl shell, beche-de-mer, ben there is the question of the ritorial Sea. This is the sea /e the area of the Continental If but Deyond the limits of •itorial Waters. For example, tralia’s Continental Shelf ex 1s far beyond the present three ! limit of Territorial Waters, in Coral Sea area and round the ;h towards New Guinea, Timor Indonesia. Where exactly does iralia’s Continental Shelf end the shelf of these other itries start? here the waters between Aus a and Papua, an Australian

tory, are nowhere deeper than metres, is all this water to be r Australian control? Torres it has traditionally been re -3d as an international r-way and part of the High Similar situations exist all the world, and involve Freedom le Seas. ider the latter heading there is question of pollution, radio e and otherwise, i the question of radio-active tion Britain and the US were d to adopt an unfortunate ion. No one can deny that jar-bomb tests, however jsary, do interfere with free nation of the High Seas, even if do not cause pollution. itain and the US considered this is a question for a dis sent conference and not for present conference. At the 1 time, and as a favourable ire, the US announced that ?n observers would be invited ie next Marshall Islands tests ee for themselves that there

sghgible pollution.

rtugal proposed that the ition of Freedom of the High should include “freedom to rtake research, experiments,

and exploration” which would presumably permit nuclear-bomb testing.

Some Iron Curtain countries maintained that Freedom of the Seas must also include freedom of access to the seas, where a country is cut off from the sea.

It will be surprising if any really worthwhile agreements come out of the conference.

Problem of the Illicit

Grog Merchant

One day in March saw a record number of drunks before the Noumea court—49 for the day, and all native.

The event underlined what ap pears to be a growing problem in Noumea, despite Government efforts to reduce drinking cases.

Among some of the recent regu lations passed to keep drinking in check are one forbidding the sale of liquor to be carried off the premises after 8 p.m., and on Sat urday afternoons and Sundays; and another making it an offence to drink liquor on public highways and Government land (although beaches and river banks are ex empt) .

On the other hand natives are now allowed to drink imported beer where once they had to be content with the weaker local brew (beer import figures for 1957 were on the increase 800,000 gallons from France), and bar licences can still be allocated (Noumea has recently got a new one, called “Sputnik”).

A Noumea correspondent reports that the regulation banning week end sales for home consumption is not expected to make much dif

slice to the habits of the intem ate, as Intelligent drunks will in stocks before the deadline — i.m. on Saturday. , is difficult, too, to deal with problem of the illicit grog ■chant —a title which, in the lie mind anyway, seems often refer to some of the Indo nese shopkeepers of Noumea.

ptions, But No

md submarine volcano off Vanguna he Western Solomons has been ve again, for the first time since , when a small island appeared remained visible for several :s before disappearing, le new eruptions—a main one, wed by four smaller ones— ; not produced any islands, but hick yellow cloud rose about ft.

Consulate in Papeete

I Close

avellers arriving in Auckland i Papeete in March reported the British Consulate at iete, Tahiti, established many 5 ago, is to be closed down at end of June. r the past five or six years the il has been Mr. Fredrick A. evenish, of England, te rumour in Tahiti is that ustralian or New Zealand trade tentative may now be estab d, and that this official would le British interests in that tory.

earch of a Portrait

he Artist

English social anthropologist, Anthony Forge, has begun a of life among the natives of Sepik district of New Guinea i can study the place of art eir social life. This is a new >ach in anthropological study e Territory. . Forge, since he graduated imbridge, has been working for hD at the School of Economics >ndon University, is working among the Abelam 6s —a fairly large group living e country around Maprik, in lorth of the Sepik district, ong the facets of the question Forge will study are the onship between the artist and ociety, and whether he has ge in the community.

-Known Fiji Resident

looting Case

Nat Chalmers, aged 70, well I in Fiii for many years as a ter and solicitor, and as a pro

minent member of the Indian society called Kisan Sangh, was sentenced in Sigatoka magistrate’s court on March 20 to six months’ imprisonment. He had been charged by the police with discharging a shot-gun at Taraivina Lewatu, a Fijian woman who had been a member of his household for a considerable time, with intent to do previous bodilv harm grevious ooany narm An appeal was lodged immediately, and Chalmers was released pendmg the appeal, on £lOO bail.

The incident on which the charge is based occurred on February 14.

Chalmers wished Taraivina to return to her village and he says she promised to do this, and he gave her

a cheque for £5O. She went into Sigatoka and cashed the cheque; but, instead of departing, she re turned to Chalmers’ house. The police alleged that Chalmers, in an attempt to scare her away, dis charged his gun at her. She was severely wounded in the foot • . . , • , .

nf Snn? tut

had no thou g ht of injuring the woman. She had developed TB, and he was anxious that she should live elsewhere. A payment was made to her on the understanding that she should return to her village. He did net know she had returned to his house. He had a shot-gun handy and loaded, in an attempt to kill a rooster that had been attacking

ickens, and he fired a shot rooster. It was sheer mis that the Fijian woman had n the line of fire—he did □w she was there and did not her. ng a plea for mercy, Mr. srs’ counsel, Mr. M. S. Koya, I out that Mr. Chalmers now i old man; he had practised Fiji; and before that he had i high police official. The *ate (Mr. Jedder e-Fisher) t, found that the police had >hed their case, incident caused one cancella f plans Chalmers had made to Queensland, the West and the United Kingdom sugar prices, and the sentence ike interfering with amended or the overseas tour, riginally had booked to leave i February 25, but as the it occurred on February 14 Id not leave the Colony until arge had been disposed of.

He then planned to leave in the Southern Cross in July, but the new turn of events may prevent that, too. The appeal is unlikely to be heard for some time, as there is a congested list in the Supreme Court and only one judge to deal with it.

Cabin Class on Orient Line

Orient Line’s 24,000-ton Orion will be converted to carry “Cabin Class” passengers instead of first class passengers, as from 1958.

Cabin class is an innovation for Orient Line. It will suit those who want to pay less than first-class fares for better than tourist class accommodation, food and service.

Orion’s cabin class passengers will be able to enjoy the spacious lounges, air-conditioned dining room and wide deck areas of the former first-class section of the ship.

Fares from Sydney to London will range from £205 Stg. in 6-berth cabins to £260 Stg. for single-berth cabins, and £270 Stg. in twin-bedded cabins with private bath.

Orion will continue to have tourist “B” class accommodation for those wanting inexpensive travel.

Piscatorial Mystery

Solved

One of the great mysteries of Nature has been the whereabouts of the Pacific spawning grounds of albacore—the choicest variety of tuna and a migratory surface feedihg type of fish found far from land.

Japanese fishery researchers now claim that the mystery has been solved. A fishing vessel operating along the equator somewhere west of the Gilbert Is. recently caught swordfish whose stomach contents included newly spawned albacore.

A Hurried New Use

For an Old Stand-By

P-NG’s material-of-a-thousand uses—steel arc mesh, much of it left over from the war—was being belted and bent into even more weird and wonderful shapes in March.

Many a Territory employer had suddenly decided that it was just the thing for machinery guards in his workshop.

The reason for his unusual interest: The Territory was having a visit from an industrial safety engineer, as first step towards introduction of new safety legisla tion for P-NG.

The engineer, Mr. lan Anderson, of the industrial service division of the Department of Labour and

National Service, Melbourne, s three weeks looking at P industrial conditions.

Mining and native labour leg tion already includes Safety visions, but with the induu expansion in the Territory in last 10 years, these measures a wide enough to cover everybody New legislation will be draft© a matter of priority, accordin Assistant Administrator, Dr.

Gunther.

Curses and Contempt Foi

The NG Tax Man

March was head-tax monk Papua-New Guinea. Europeans? until the end of the month toe then £2 to the tax-gath Natives had longer—but the ministration got really busy coL ing the money, apparently to< press everyone that it was see about the business.

The £2 head-tax on all males? the age of 18 became law last This piece of nonsensical legisla as someone pointed out at the

put the Administrator on the , tax level as the lowliest garden in Government House groundsa The tax gathering was not ▼ out incident—even in the early ' of March.

Evidently little attempt had made to prepare the natives this pay-out, and most househOD were infuriated by the fact it was left to them to try to exi to their servants why they suddenly called upon to “tM away” £2. And some of the renr by householders to their staff not calculated to boost Adminir. tion prestige in native minds. .

Some labourers who work ur agreement simply could not had £2 at March 1, unless they* stolen it. With two pay-days o:c year gone, with an agreement c

»ulates 10/- in the hand and 15/erred. £2 was beyond them, lives working at casual rates e better placed—but far from ised. ax-gatherers visited places of iness on pay-day. One Port ■esby garage reported that when ax collector had taken all the es of three native workers and but 10/- of another, the natives blamed their employers and ced off the job. i the same week another Port esby native was fined £2 for g abusive language to a tax lerer. le Raluana natives of the elle Peninsula area of NB, who

i the Administration some ago by declining to form a e local government council, had -ome across with their tax late ’arch and were apparently in ninds as to whether they would ouldn’t. vever, in spite of these inter > side-lights, most natives following the pattern of :er-parts in Australia: cursing :oughing-up. fact, one report from Rabaul ed that 60 Wewak natives had id their way into the Rabaul e Affairs office, and demanded 7 to speak to the tax officer, happily pushed £129 into his 3. ■opean attitude to the tax best be summed up as com ic with contempt.

' well-known missionary had n exemption on the grounds of hip—which most people re d as a poor show. i Mr. N. Russell, a Customs employed by Burns Philp Ltd., at Port Moresby, has Jd to pay the tax on the os that it is unconstitutional, as challenged the Administra

tion to do Its worst. Most Terri torians say: “Good on him”.

FOOTNOTE: It takes a native labourer under contract almost 7 weeks to earn £2; few European males in the Territory would have to spend more than a half-day earning the same amount.

New Aircraft For Rabaul

And New Caledonia

Rabaul, New Guinea, now has an amphibious aircraft which will be available for charter service. It’s

a Republic Sea Bee, cruising at about 95 mph, with room for three passengers.

Operator is Mi'. H. Kenny, former chief instructor for the Royal Queensland Aero Club, and the air craft will fly under the name of Kenair Air Services.

The amphibian should be useful in the rugged New Britain area, where a shortage of land strips would severely restrict the use of a regular-type charter aircraft.

Transpac, the New Caledonian airline, which operates Rapides, has

new aircraft this time a De vdlland four-engined Heron. The craft was flown from Paris in >ruary with a crew of four, and ; now entered into the Loyalty mds service.

ick Smoke and

:itement

unday mornings in Honiara, tish Solomons, are usually placid ut the morning of March 2 was ttle different, as the first of the n’s early risers soon saw. cross the sky stretched a great of black smoke. Soon after, Naval vessel sped across the izon. And from along the coast *e came an unusual hum, and flicopter came unexpectedly into T. tiis was unusual activity. There a mild wave of excitement in iara. What did it mean? check revealed the explanation, ong the Guadalcanal coast ng the night, bunker oil had oded in one of the old wartime mese wrecks, belching out ds of black smoke, i American cruiser spotted the ie while on its way to Iron om Sound, to lay a wreath in annual ceremony honouring the who lost their lives in the il battles off Savo Island, te cruiser sent up the helicopter ivestigate the smoke.

ember Start For

eete Airfield

test of the long succession of ■ts and rumours on the estab lent of an international air at Papeete was a statement 5 in Auckland at the end of nary by General Georges Fayet, iging director of TAI. e General said that his infor- Dn now is that work will com ic there in November of this and, according to the present the airport should be ready service by November, 1960. e will be a 10,000-ft runway ble for jet operations.

ds Fruit Trade

everse at New Zealand imports large bities of fruit from the Islands at news—though it certainly ws when she suddenly refuses iport such fruit, s well knpwn is the fact that Zealand is not only shipping >d deal of fruit to the Islands las recently started to tap a antial dollar trade in this

lodity, thanks to increasingly

shipping connections with the -nan Islands. v Zealand can find a market anolulu for apples, pears, and 3 during the off-season in the d States. In March the

largest shipment of apples to be shipped so far—3,l2s cases—left Auckland per Mariposa. Monterey loaded 524 crates and 2,088 cartons of plums and 2,031 cases of pears on her February voyage north.

The trade is at present limited by the amount of cool storage space available, and the Matson Line vessels may have additional cooler capacity installed to meet the growing trade.

Any Bids For

Cl Freezer?

The Cook Islands Administration would be prepared to hand over the Rarotonga freezer to private enterprise on satisfactory terms, according to a Rarotonga report.

The freezer, built by the govern ment several years ago, is the only

retailer of frozen meat and im ported produce on a big scale in the Cook Islands.

Busy Air Lanes

At Rarotonga

For a place with no scheduled air services, Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, has seen quite a lot of air activity lately.

Early in February a Kimball Air ways Catalina arrived from Papeete with members of the Honolulu ‘Friends of Tahiti” Club aboard, and a week later a second Catalina, Spirit of Magellan, arrived from Tafuna on a round - the - world movie-making flight, after visiting Bermuda, the Azores, Paris, Rome, Cairo, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Borneo, Australia, Fiji, Samoa (see Movieland Drops In”, page 87)

s second “cat” met with s engine trouble, and as the >t of a spare engine would many weeks, the entire party to board a local vessel for iki, to connect with a TEAL ft home.

February 17, a Dakota arrived Christmas Island via Penryhn litutaki, departing for Christ igain on February 19. . on March 4, the NZ Civil on radio facilities calibration ft arrived on one of its e visits.

You See It,

You Don't

trican Kent Shelby, owner of Ava” Island, Fiji, which he n a limerick competition (see ;ine article, page 84) saw some 5 dream end in late March, in he and friend Douglas d had arrived on the island, ire in which they lived was lied. But one Saturday, most including beds, dressing table, cutlery, had to be removed t was on two weeks’ loan from srn Hotels Ltd. ’Uva correspondent says that articles from beds to teaspoons on the launch, the bure pretty bleak and bare, ever, the Americans were curbed— they knew they were ?.to Fiji to rough it. island has excellent fishing

[?]ican Samoa now has a Youth Officer— [?]hief Le'iato (above). District Governor [?]Eastern District. His duties include [?]g and implementing recreational [?]s for the territory's youth, with the [?] of instilling pride in their traditions, [?]he ability to adjust to change wrought developments".— Pan American Prints.

mds around it, but also plenty nangroves. mosquitoes and flies e mosquitoes no doubt due to proximity of the mangrove np. le correspondent adds, “Apart i coming out to Yawalu (‘Ava ) from the US occasionally for oliday, there is nothing much by could use the island for. .nd I doubt very much if Kent by is going to worry himself eat deal about it after he leaves for home early in May.”

rer Cigarettes

iji

>st people who smoke in Fiji :e cigarettes; and they now are \ to pay at least Id more per et of 9 or 10. The import and e duties on tobacco and to ) manufactures were raised at ?nd of March by about 25 per , by the Legislative Council, is was no new policy. Over years ago, when certain manu ring interests sought Govern support of their plan to lish cigarette factories, the s were lowered, for a period tree years. The factories were fished; very many Fiji resi : smoke either Star or Crown i cigarettes, made in Suva; now the Government has re id to the subject, with its well ed tax-gathering hand ex ■d pointedly.

import Restrictions

I. Samoa—Yet

? Western Samoa Government lecided that for the time being 111 not follow New Zealand’s and impose import restrictions, vever, traders have been ed that it is a matter of earn nough by exports to pay for :ts and that the Government continue to watch the position y in the future it appears that eas funds are likely to fall to agerous level the Government I be forced to act.

for Importing

vah Witness Literature

resident of Honiara, BSIP, E. aterson, went to gaol for a ti at the end of February for •ting a prohibited publication i Watch Tower and Bible Tract ty called Make Sure of All is. had been found guilty on Feb -18 and given the option of r a month’s gaol. He took the ti. ? Watch Tower and Bible Society is connected with the rah’s Witness sect. This sect is ’ently making a direct assault

or. Pacific Islands territories; its activities have been noted in several places. (See Editors’ Mailbag, p. 27) .

New Caledonia S Budqet Blues

, 3

Get a NZ Reaction

, New Caledonia s attempts at balancing the new budget are worrymg New Caledonians, who can see themselves gettmg the rough end ot the stick.

Revenue for the year (about £A7million) is based on 1957 figures, a£ L was a , recor s* year and 1958 shows every sign of not being a lecoid, New Caledonians think

they will end up getting hurt where it hurts most—in the stomach, Imports of foodstuffs from Aus tralia have already been drastically cut, and potatoes are among the niany lines that now cannot be im ported from there. “The man in the street looks to the future with ap prehension,” says PlM’s Noumea coi respondent The situation is no brighter when locked at from the point of view 0 f nickel ore exports. The picture there seems to be pretty black.

New Zealand in March was doing some complaining about how the French currency troubles in the Pacific were affecting her. a report from Papeete published

tfZ inferred that the French :opolitan government had or d French Pacific territories to e or reduce imports from NZ, ‘reprisals” against NZ for re ly introducing its own import ictions. ie Union Steamship Go’s trans -5c freighter Waitemata, on her I north-bound voyage from NZ, to bypass Papeete for the first

time because of the lack of cargo.

But NZ overlooked the fact that the French were in trade trouble before NZ was.

Guiding's First Lady

Gets a Warm Welcome

A “hopeful, glowing future’’ is what the World Chief Guide, Lady Baden-Powell, predicts for Papua- New Guinea scouting and guiding.

“It is the answer to the problems of the multi-racial countries,” she says.

She made the comment in Port Moresby in March after a brief tour of the major Territory centres, meeting children who were flown, or who canoed or walked for many miles to see the deservedly famous head of the guide movement, widow of the man who launched the scouts.

In Port Moresby she presented a cheque to a native village council from Queensland guides who have “adopted” the village (the money will be spent on village amenities); in Lae she signed her name in a big block of cement which will be part of a new scout hall; in Rabaul she gracefully but firmly declined to plant a tree, because she “never plants trees”.

Among her official duties was the presentation of the Medal of Merit to Mrs. Thelma Price, in Port

Moresby, and the Queen’s Scout badge—the highest award in scouting—to 17-year-old Peter Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Hall, at Lae.

Lady Baden-Powell plans to visit Fiji before moving out of the Pacific, via the Philippines, Malaya and Hongkong.

Coral Route Loss

Lower

Loss on the TEAL Coral Route service will be about £NZIO,OOO lower in the 1957-58 financial year than in the previous year. ,_T^ S was stated by New Zealand’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Island Territories, Mr. Mathison, when commenting on the future of the Australian-NZ TEAL relation ship in March. The Coral Route is not part of this joint arrangement. roUte last y ear Was

Fiji Airways: No New

Development

Little has happened to alter the internal airways position in Fiji, beyond the bare announcement, in March, that Fiji Airways has been purchased by Qantas Empire Air ways, Ltd. (owned by the Aus tralian Commonwealth Govern ment).

It is understood that Fiji Air ways (taken over as part of Kata fa ga Estates, Ltd., in the estate of the late Mr. Harold Gatty) will be registered in Fiji by Qantas as a Company; but that the business will be closely integrated with the activities of Qantas.

Matters of major importance have engaged the attention of the Qantas chiefs in March and April —Austraiian rulings regarding the purchase of new inter-continental planes, and new developments con nected with TEAL, the Australia and N Zealand-owned company.

Most of the Qantas chiefs were abroad (in New Zealand and else where) in April. An announcement

POSTERITY. Everybody seems intent as the world Chief Guide, Lady Baden-Powell, [?]ribes her name in a block of cement in Lae in March. The block will go at the base [?]flagpole at a new scout hall Lae plans to build. Top picture shows 17-year-old Peter [?]of Lae, just after the Chief Guide presented him with his Queen's Scout badge. (See story this page).

t Fiji was expected on their n to Sydney. senior member of Qantas Op ms staff, Captain R. O. Mant, w in Suva, managing Fiji Air- Captain Mant is well-known -NG, where on occasions he elieved the Qantas New Guinea ger.

f'W Fly to Work in

ration Nadzab

ployees were flown to work at New Guinea, on March 24. were Qantas employees flown idzab to put into opertion the scheduled DC4 flight to land tie old wartime airstrip. Just a week’s concentrated effort by is staff produced a waiting sheds and outhouses in the e of nowhere, and when the touched down on time, passen and cargo were quietly and jntly transferred to waiting i and set down in Lae 20 bes later. izab, about 28 road miles from (26 by air) was built during var when its 80 miles of sur strips, taxiways and parking were used extensively by all of aircraft. The main strip, i has been kept in repair by department of Civil Aviation, is >f nine strips. It’s about 7.000 g and capable of taking almost dnd of aircraft. ’s 5,000-ft strip is at present repair and the shuttle service en Nadzab and Lae will be med for about a month. The is staff will be flown back i and forwards each day. itas area manager for P-NG, O. Denny, said that the usual -y Lae run would take only 20 '6S longer for passengers and an hour for cargo. Customs passenger formalities would >e handled at Lae airport, lough the operation got away flying start, bad luck dogged is for the rest of that week.

One morning, heavy rainfall in Lae prevented the DC3’s from land ing, which meant a five-hour wait at Nadzab for DC4 passengers.

The following morning, the hy draulic system on a DC4 failed while the aircraft was landing.

With only sufficient power left to get the wheels down, the pilot had to use emergency brakes, which caused the aircraft to slew off the runway, burst all tyres and finish up in the kunai. Passengers were shaken but unhurt.

Qantas engineers worked all day digging the aircraft out of the trough it had ploughed and special cranes and spare parts had to be flown from Australia to put her back in the air.

A feeder DC3 puts down at Nadzab in front of a temporary passenger shelter, which was still being erected when the picture was taken.

Lower picture, taken up the strip, shows the good mesh surface.

Liang for

ual Charter

ie New Guinea Australia Line ir-vessel Sinkiang will be with n from the BSIP-New Guinea ce from July to September for annual charter work for the sh Phosphate Commission, e will be replaced for that d by the Pakhoi, which will rtake Sinkiang’s usual Island duties. ikiang, during her charter, will time-expired Chinese labourers Ocean Island and Nauru back ongkong and will pick up new irers there for the phosphate ings. b will subsequently do several between Nauru—Ocean Island the Gilbert Islands, returning ■expired Gilbertese labourers picking up new recruits.

Golfers Raise

ey and Laughs

ifers in Lae, New Guinea, d their versatility and showed they could give with the wit ill as the stick, when they put ie first local show of its kind two-hour non-stop revue—in olf club house in March. ;kdrops, sets and costumes, ng, music, dialogue, skits and mances were produced by Mrs.

Fingwell and a crowd of hard ng golfers. h a professional air, they took udience back to the Roaring ties; behind the Iron Curtain, nto Lae’s nudist colony. ) melodious tenor voice of l Phillips; the rendering of his version of “Trees” by pianist i Albrecht; the slightly blue of compere Ginty Stevens, he patter of comedians Mauri ps and Les Wheate kept the ice entertained and chuckling I the many scene changes, leen, but not unsung, were

behind-the-scene workers, some of whom also participated in the pro gramme. Lois Niall painted the backdrops, but also did a good job as a harem girl, a Russian girl dancer, and hula girl. Ralph Phillips was responsible for the lighting, as well as appearing in several of the skits. And most important of all, v/as unseen Eddie Roberts who built up the amplifying system and kept it running smoothly.

Such was the popularity of the show that by special request it was played to a full house for a third night—which is something for Lae.

There are about 250 members and 70 associates in the club and the object of the revue was to raise money for a PA system and other amenities.

New Ship for

Nickel Company

The Nickel Company of New Caledonia has chartered the 8,000ton British motor vessel Rushwood to replace the Norwegian Belray, recently returned to its owners.

The ship will carry coal and coke between Noumea and NSW ports, and when necessary will load nickel ore for the smelters at Noumea.

Rushwood is expected in Noumea in April, with 3,000 tons of gypsum and general cargo.

Talk of a Trade Recession

In W. Samoa

Western Samoa is to suffer fur ther severe cuts in expenditure, again affecting public service salaries (see PIM, February, pp. 21, 115).

The Government plans to make a 10 per cent, saving in local of ficers’ salaries from January 1, next year, by drawing up a new salaries’ scale.

No salary reductions will be made

this year, but reductions in the number of people employed will be made.

There has been considerable un rest in the Health Deparment fol lowing the dismissal of about 75 Samoan medical practitioners, nurses and others.

New legislation is planned to in crease postal rates and marriage fees.

West Samoa’s new Customs Bill, which proposes inreases in duty for

all kinds of goods, including to bacco and beer, did not get through the Assembly in early March, despite a plea of urgency by the Council of Ministers who wanted the higher rates of duty to take effect on goods aboard the Waihemo and Maiua, then in port.

After a heated debate, the As sembly passed a motion by Mr. G.

F. Betham to defer consideration until the Budget session at the end of March.

Mr. Betham suggested that mem bers should have time to consider the increases and possibly find other means of balancing the budget. (Over)

[?]ckland in March, bound for Niue aboard [?]fua", were Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Dryden, [?] the centre, Mrs. J. W. Roughan. Mr. [?] will install new timber milling [?]ery at Niue. —J. P. Shortall.

Mr. T. Smith, and the former Miss Judith Coghill, photographed shortly after their marriage in the Methodist Church, Rabaul, New Guinea. —C. H. Meen.

1. F. Paul, Minister of Eco- Development and Leader of nent Business, said the pro icreases in Customs revenue ow have to be deleted from 8 Estimates, and Govern :penditure would have to be id the new semi-automatic ie exchange would be can- Apia correspondent says ipears to be a trade reces ig on, which might further •evenue during the year, rriving from Australia and aland have been bringing all cargoes, and because of 'her, local copra production iped—and the price is lower, er, there are hopes of a oa crop in April or May, he

)oes Over the

on Brink

years of wobbling on the -NG is finally to make a ep towards establishing V education in the Territory next year, higher classes, it to Queensland grades VIII, will be established Moresby, Lae and Rabaul. her classes will be estab ater”. sw schools will be open to of all races, provided they -hed the required standard, fluency in English, and 3hed the accepted standard development. iccepted standard” was de- P-NG Administrator n March as “the level at lildren can attend classes lefit to themselves and causing any social prob-

The new move means that after the end of this year, parents will not be paid secondary education allowances for new students who will be within daily reach of classes. This has caused an outcry.

Allowances, meant to relieve the cost of fares to Australia, are at present paid by the Administration to all parents, whether Government employees or not, who have to send their children to secondary schools in Australia because there is no where to send them in the Terri tory.

New Caledonia in March also de cided to cut down on money being paid out so that pupils could get a higher education in Francs.

In the past, “bourses” have been given pretty freely, but in future a means test will be applied, and parents with enough money to give their children advanced education outside the territory will have to meet the full cost themselves.

Labour Disputes Machinery

—Plus Tropical Inertia

It is suspected that mischievous influences—some of which may be subversive in character are in creasingly at work among the in dustrial classes in Fiji.

The Fiji Government recognises that the trend in industrial move ment is towards collective bargain ing through trade unions: and so in 1956 steps were taken to review the existing arbitration machinery, for the settlement of disputes.

Thus, provision for increased trade union activity was made in aood time.

Fiji has a Labour Advisory Board.

Plans for new and more effective

arbitration machinery were ; before that Board in Octobe and February, 1957; and the trade unions and similar on tions then were invited to o them.

Finally, a Bill was prepaf the Legislative Council, an lished in January, 1958.

The Bill came before the lative Council at the end of: Then began urgent represen asking for postponement of until next session of Councij were made by Industrial V Congress, Public Servants’

Fiji Stevedores’ Union, Education Workers’ Societ others.

The plea was not received Colonial Secretary until Ms after the Bill had come bet Council.

The Council decided tha bodies had had ample no the Government’s proposal,, the character of the Bill; po ment was refused; and the came law.

Comments by the trade; on the proposals should ha* made—and they were certaf vited. But, as usual, laiss, ruled —and the unions “mis bus”.

AAore on That Naval

Base Without a Navy

Latest Australian politii discuss the importance Manus base to Australia is : Affairs Minister Richard. who inspected the base i March on his way home f SEATO conference at ManiJ “There’s Not Much to Do Manus”, PIM, March, p. 11 Mr. Casey said Manus ns air bases, and P-NG itses “very important” to Austrai the defence point of view..

He said that knowing the of Manus and of the establishment America hai

Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Murphy, of travelled from Auckland in the March to visit their son Paul, wit[?] of New Zealand staff at Apia, Wes[?] —J.

is very interested to see that alia was maintaining at least limum establishment in Navy Air forces which could be rapidly built up in an :ency. \ could not afford to reduce ishments much more without g below the essential mini required,” he said.

Casey said 68 American navy called at Manus for fuel last md this showed that the base iractical usefulness. ; are extremely fortunate to an island base in this part * world. No one knows what uture holds and it is very rting for us to have it. think we can keep it in its it condition.” said Manus had a good air which could be extended if ;ary. w Guinea is geographically tant from the point of view istralia’s defence and Manus

is the outpost of the Australian defence system.”

Mr. Casey said long range weapons might change the strategy of the future but “we will always need a base and the value of Manus and New Guinea is undoubted.

“In this part of the world, our thinking should be conditioned by the vast manpower of communist China.

“We are interested in nuclear weapons, but we must try to remember that so-called orthodox forces and weapons have a greater meaning in this part of the world than in Europe.

“That is why I have been pushing on every opportunity for liaison be tween NATO and SEATO.

“The communist threat is world wide and we may easily lose out if our thinking is divided into areas,” he added.

Gill Collection of

P NG Books

A copy of most of the books, pamphlets, official reports, and

magazines dealing with affairs and events in Papua and New Guinea, between 1885 and 1955, and col lected between 1920 and the present day, is included in the Gill Collec tion, which is now in England and which has just been catalogued.

They number many hundreds. The Catalogue covers 50 closely-typed

foolscap pages.

The library deals with Papua and the Trust Territory of NG gener ally; but it does cover the history of Papua very closely. Some of the books are rare and valuable: all appear to be useful, as works of

Islands ' Weddings

At left, Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Chue, happily prepare to cut the big cake at their wedding reception in Rabaul. Bride was formerly Miss Henrietta Tse.

Signing the register at the Church of St.

George the Martyr, Rabaul, are Mr. and Mrs, James Fairhurst. She was formerly Judith Read, daughter of former DC and wartime Coast watcher, Mr. Jack Read, and Mrs. Read, of Namanula. — C. H. Meen.

Right, Mr. James Miller and his bride, the former Miss Sue Glasby, also appear to be having a happy time cutting their cake, after their marriage at Taurama Chapel, Port Moresby, in March. Mr. Miller is with APC, —Papuan Prints.

irence. The name of Arch con Stephen R. M. Gill is well wn in P-NG through its long tciation with the Anglican sion in Papua. is believed that the books are sale, but Mr. Evan R. Gill hopes ; the library as a whole will nately be taken over for main ince in either Australia or ua. Its right place would be the Lie Library in Port Moresby, limited number of copies of Catalogue are for sale at 21/ling—application to Mr. Evan Gill, 11 Cheltenham Avenue, rpool 17, England. collection of 220 “old, rare and books, etc., on Papua and New tea” is being offered for sale Messrs. C. P. J. Van Der Peet, sellers, of 33-35, N. Spiegle it, Amsterdam, Holland. Any interested should ask for Cata ) No. 101,

s Reluctant Debutante

iches Into 1958 Season

e New Zealand Government’s Leal mon s t e r-c hi 1 d Maui ire, bustling through her an refit so as to cope with an pectedly early orange crop in 2ook Islands, made a very re nt departure from Auckland n March.

February the target ETD was >y Island Territories Depart as March 18, and a great deal ertime work was done on the in the hope of meeting that which, however, proved im- Dle. ling date was then set at h 28. Then, as is usual with Pom arrivals and departures, :onflicting announcements be-

gan to appear, to baffle intending passengers and their friends.

The newspapers of March 27 con firmed a “tomorrow” sailing. The morning paper of March 28 gave two firm times in the shipping column—3 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Then the tomtoms took over.

There was a technical hitch in the engine room . . . the greaser told the cook (and that will be definite) that tomorrow, March 29, 4 p.m., was the time. Some farewelling friends worked on that deadline, though the afternoon paper offered 7 a.m. Passengers who had been ordered to board at 4 p.m., March 28, and had booked out of their hotels were permitted to remain aboard overnight.

At this stage the authoritative board at the gang-plank gave de parture time as 8 a.m., on 29th. and away she went at that hour— but was back and firmly secured to another wharf by 2 p.m. The greaser had been right—almost.

The friends who had worked on the greaser’s deadline and taken their extra hour in bed that Sat urday morning were a little sur prised to find Pom Pom at a dif ferent wharf —but they hadn’t

missed seeing their friends off. In fact they could have spent all day Sunday with them— Pom Pom was still at the wharf Monday evening, at least so the Monday evening paper said. PlM’s roundsman didn’t feel like investigating further.

What was obvious from all this was that Pom Pom was all set up for yet another thoroughly unpre dictable year’s operations and there was some strong backing that there would not be enough Cl oranges ready to fill her holds on this first voyage, after all the hurry up refit.

Mormon Mission to

Be Restricted in Samoa

In recent years the Latter Dav Saints Church (Mormons) have started a vigorous religious cam paign and propaganda in Western Samoa.

They have opened a college for Samoan children and have built a large number of churches in outside districts of Upolu and Savaii and these building activities are being carried on at present.

The number of Americans con

They're Queuing tor Australian Fruit

This crowd was queued up outside a store in Noumea, New Caledonia, in March, in the hope of getting a share of a new shipment of Australian fruit —including pears, apples and grapes. But there won't be enough to go round—there never is. Because of foreign exchange difficulties, New Caledonia, finds itself importing food from all sorts of far-off countries, at great expense.

Lately, potatoes, apples and milk have come from France, onions from Libya, tomatoes from Italy. Local eggs have reached a record price of more than £1 Aus tralian a dozen. PIM's Noumea Correspondent comments; "Instead of Australian External Affairs Minister Casey giving locomotives to Asia, he might like to think of sending a few shipments of Australian fruit to fruit-hungry New Caledonia".- Photo by F. Dunn.

ted with the Mission in W. 10a, including teachers and ders is 140, while the number of erents of the LDS Church in 10a is estimated at about 4,000. jme of the other Missions in the ritory have approached the Gov nent and asked that the activi of the LDS Church be re sted. They claim that the house louse campaigns of the Mormons irritating and annoying the loans and might lead to serious ble. le Mormons claim that under existing Trusteeship Agreement b is freedom of conscience and iom of religion and their ac ies should not be restricted. 1 also point out that they have sted large amounts of money in Ferritory and have never asked Samoans to contribute to their ch, in contrast to other Mission ;s. In Import Duty alone on rials imported from overseas, Mormons paid £50,000 last year, ; the members of the Mission i on their living expenses in )a an estimated £30,000 per yertheless, the High Commis r, acting on the advice of the itive Council, has informed the dent of the Mormon Mission, in future only one Missionary )e allowed for 200 Mormon ad its and that the total number * admitted into the Territory De 38 including teachers. b action taken by the Govern restridting the activities of the Church recalls the happenings e island of Niue when the Lon- Missionary Society requested hen Resident Commissioner to admission to Mormon mis ries. The RC pointed out that id no right to deny admission y Mission. The Mormons were ,ted.

I Returned Men Will

Fight for Land

education of P-NG natives display only”, wasn’t good h, old soldier, Colonel H. T. b”) Allan, told the New a Branch of the Returned rs’ League, in opening its il Congress at Lae in March. can push native education ist, and bring some students Lstralia merely to please the e told delegates from all over ’erritory. But, he said, the cal things, the physical side, nattered, hospitals in main centres all right, but what were i were more medical patrols the villages, to get to the bring practical help to e President, Mr. Bob Bunting, told Congress that a land nent scheme was still the e’s most important objective.

"ial assistance for ex-service

men to establish themselves on the land was a right that every state in Australia had —but not P-NG.

So far, the League had met nothing but disappointment and frustration, Mr. Bunting added.

Feeling at Congress seemed to be that despite the justice of the claim, the Commonwealth appeared to be planning to win the fight simply by not putting up its fists.

As every year passed, ex-servicemen were getting older, and it was becoming too late for many to benefit by a land scheme, if introduced.

Many who would have settled on the land had taken to other occupa tions.

The possibility of income taxation in the Territory also added to the frustrations of many ex-servicemen, who felt that if tax were intro duced there would be little incentive to keep fighting.

Some delegates attacked recent critics of the Territory who had spoken at the summer political conference in Canberra in January ( PIM, February, March).

Mr. J. W. Hughes said if the European were relegated to a

position of impotence, it could mean disaster for New Guinea.

It was announced at Congress that Life Membership of the RSL a high honour had been approved for NG residents, Messrs.

“Jerry” Pentland and Bert Heath.

Both men served in the two World Wars, and both became famous as Territory airmen.

This Public Service

Will Work Longer

In Western Samoa, public servants have reversed the usual trend and from April 1 will work longer hours.

Working hours will be extended from the present 35 hours to 38 hours a week. The work will be carried out on a five day week basis, but essential services will be provided to the general public on Saturday mornings and will be paid for as normal time and not on an overtime basis.

The new working hours for clerical and administrative staff will be from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4.35 p.m. In future overtime will be calculated on the basis of a 40 hour week.

Polynesians in NZ

In 550 Ad?

A senior New Zealand geologist has fixed the arrival of the first Polynesians in that country at about 550 AD which is very much earlier than genealogical and other studies have suggested.

The geologist, Dr. H. W. Wellman of the geology department of Wel lington University College, said in a public lecture at Gisborne in March that the earliest date of Polynesian settlement by “Carbon -14” dating of charcoal in camp fires was 1200 AD, but he was convinced that other camp sites at lower geological levels would indicate a date nearly twice as far back.

Some of the earliest camp sites so far found were in the South

Mr. W. Parker, a teacher with the Catholic Mission in NG, was aboard the "Bulolo" in March, bound for Madang after nine months' leave in Australia. Mr. Parker has been teaching in the Islands for eight years.

d. Dr, Wellman felt sure that sment in the north would have at a much earlier date, as the e, coming from a warm ite, would naturally establish selves in the northern parts of :ountry.

Bill Passes, with

e of its Teeth Drawn

3 of the first important jobs e new Commissioner of Inland me (in other words, the Taxa- Commissibner) in Fiji, Mr. D. rnes, was to bring the Income Amendment Bill before the lative Council, at the end of i, and so reconcile it with the igs of the Select Committee it would be acceptable to the :il. was quite successful.

Maurice Scott—who might be bed as in a position to judge en Big Business and the com man—said the Bill now was to the Colonial Government to the taxpayers. Mr. J. N. y, another practising lawyer his ear close to the ground, that Mr. Barnes had clearly ined the situation, and left ig unanswered. • Bill, when very hurriedly fil led last November, raised a outcry. had been too hurriedly pre —probably to allow the re- Commissioner, Mr. Drysdale, fide it through the Council 3 he left. leemed to plan too great and rbitrary powers for the Com

missioner; retrospective taxation; taxation of undistributed profits; and a new shape for tax-gathering powers that might be regarded as oppressive.

The chief critics of the measure quoted a promise given by the pre sent Governor, a couple of years ago, that taxation would be slanted in every reasonable way to encourage increased private investment for the development of Fiji.

The Select Committee included some of the Colony’s soundest citi zens; and they did a thorough job and produced a masterly report, which should serve for some years as a guide to both Government and Taxation Commissioner.

It now has been emphasised that the Government’s chief purpose in framing the new Bill was to catch, within the taxation net, various trading concerns which were using the old taxation machinery to evade the payment of fair taxation, through Company law.

By adopting the Committee’s main recommendations, and amend ing the Bill in other ways, most of the objectionable features were re moved; and all parties—except those who had been making improper and profitable use of the existing laws— appear satisfied.

"Consolidate, Don't Extend"

In New Guinea

Instead of opening up new areas of the Territory, the Administration should spend its money consolidat ing the old ones. This is the view of a select committee of the P-NG

Legislative Council, set up to con sider the new Budget and the works programme.

The committee said the money available for capital works this year was already insufficient in the de veloped areas, and expansion into new areas should be reduced until essential works could be completed.

Round One in

Taxed v. Taxers

A group of Cook Islands’ business men won the first round of a battle with the Taxation Department in a court case at Rarotonga recently.

It is possible however, that the Department may come out on top in the end.

It will be recalled that four years ago the New Zealand taxation de partment stirred up a hornet’s nest in the Cooks by sending down two assessors to collect back tax owing over a long period by a number of people liable, at NZ rates, under a law introduced about 1938.

Taxation on the New Zealand scale, though it affected few Islanders with their low incomes, had always been rejected by the Island Councils as unfairly based, and although some individuals had paid it, others had not—and the NZ government had, until 1954, made no determined attempt to collect it.

Opposition to it was strong and resulted in a visit by the then Minister to talk things over. As a result, a new local system of taxa tion was approved by the Cook Islands’ Legislative Council and the

[?]ka, pretty headquarters town for the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea, was a village of 11 houses in 1952, It had more [?]200 houses, with banks and several stores. Since the Goroka has continued to prosper, as shown in this arerial photograph, taken by [?]Keith Colyer. The large duilding in the centre is the airport hangar. Goroka is still one of the busiest air centres in Australia of its [?]tories.

NZ Government and was brought into force a couple of years ago.

Meanwhile some very substantial sums of money in Post Office savings bank accounts had been impounded by the taxation depart ment pending production of docu ments proving that the sums in volved were not actually owing in unpaid back-tax.

When the new Cook Islands taxa tion system was introduced many thought that the sins of the past would be forgotten. Some who had been well off were now not so, and payment of the back taxes would be a hardship.

But there was the question of those who had paid up, according to the law, down through the years.

Were they to be refunded all they had paid? If sins were to be for given this would obviously be neces sary, in justice to all.

But whoever heard of a taxation department willingly refunding sub stantial sums? The question seemed to be: was the taxation department, having failed to enforce the law and collect the taxes owing over a long period, now legally entitled to collect all those back sums to 1938?

Judge Kay, in the recent case was of the opinion that the department was not. The action was brought by a group of the “bigger fish” who engaged a barrister from Auckland to plead their case. Some thousands of pounds are involved.

Heifers For Papua—On a

New Cattle Ship

One hundred heifers—the basis of what is hoped to be a new beef cattle industry in Papua—are due to reach Port Moresby in the auxiliary ketch Natone on April 19.

Natone has been fitted out as a regular cattle vessel, and after its first important shipment it will be available to carry cattle to other Pacific islands.

The April shipment, comprising Poll Shorthorns, is valued at £3,500, and is headed for Tiaba station, 12 miles out of Port Moresby. It was loaded at Brisbane.

Mr. L. F. McEachern, chairman of Eriama Estates Ltd., which leases Tiaba, said in Brisbane in April that the heifers were the first of about 400 head to be shipped to Port Moresby over the next two months.

He said, “It’s hoped the arrival of these heifers, and the shipping of stud and herd bulls shortly after wards, will mark the birth of what will be a flourishing beef cattle industry in the Territory.”

Mr. McEachern said the heifers in the April shipment had been bred on Messrs. Gordon and Douglas Munro’s Wyaga stud, Goondiwindi, Queensland, and were noted for their adaptability to all types of conditions. Munro’s stud supplied herd bulls to Northern Territory and Channel country properties.

The second shipment, he said,

would include 65 heifers from Wyaga, 30 from Wallace Munro’s property at Moree, and three stud bulls purchased through Dalgety’s at Sydney’s Easter Show. Seven herd bulls from Mr. Keith Munro’s Trellario, Moree, and store and fat cattle, would follow later.

Mr. McEachern also gave details of the Natone (formerly the Antarctic exploration vessel Wyatt Earp) as a cattle ship.

He said Eriama Shipping Com pany had chartered her from the Sydney Ulverson Shipping Company for 12 months, with the option of a further six. and she had been fitted for cattle carrying at a cost of £5,000.

She had a special ventilation system changing the air in the hold 20 times an hour. Five stalls, each holding 14 head, were in the hold, and other cattle were being carried in covered stalls on deck.

Norfolk Whaling Again

PlM’s Norfolk Island coc pondent reports that the win industry’s factory is to start again there. Operations will If at Byron Bay in May, and J chaser will arrive at NorfolL soon as the quota is obtained

Outlook Bad for New

Caledonian Nickel

There is pessimism—and employment in New Caleo over the world nickel position,, nickel is the basis of the coll economy, and the reason fon recent boom years.

Independent miners in NC a stock of 120,000 tons of ore w cannot find a market, and have had to close down or e on with skeleton staffs.

Mr. Lafieur, a prominent; dependent miner, made an a;j on the Government at the clti of the Budget session in MI asserting that there was chance of getting the revenue the mining industry that has budgeted for this year. New (• donian nickel was now mee competition in France f Canadian nickel selling at hal;i price, and unless the Metropm Government could subsidise thu refined metal, there couldf: economic catastrophy for the is? he claimed. Japan, too, was buying cheap refined nickel America.

I lampions Are Only

n Export

From a Noumea Correspondent USTRALIAN heavyweight cham pion Allen Williams lost his fight against New Caledonian mpion, Doudie, here in March, nobody was very much inter id. he cynical New Caledonian box fan must surely be asking just r many boxing champions Aus ia has. Fighters from Australia e been coming here to fight for umber of years, and they are all tnpions of something or other, id another question that is being ed is how, in this country where ign exchange is at a premium, exchange procured to bring champion here? it for the record, Williams lost oints, and the match was closely ht.

i Irish Rally

the Shillelagh

From Norman Baxter, in Suva 3RT was crazy and mixed up in Suva on Sunday, March 16, Dn the eve of St. Patrick’s It all started when a few men in Suva began to boast tieir cricket prowess, le Garrick Club, a strong Sun team, took up the challenge though the forefathers of their m, Vince Costello, came from Emerald Isle. it of sentiment Vince promised Irishmen a shillelagh, a grand rish weapon in no way inferior akobau’s War Club. case you’d be after thinking [rish Eleven is an impossible >, the following team—Mac. irdy, Barney Conlon, Michael [ dy, Patrick Cahill, Shaun ckett, Gerry O’Campbell, n O’Clarke, Desmond McKin ey, Alex Griffiths, Brian )hy, Patrick Daly and Tom aaig—all promised to bring to the green in the name of ’atrick. ien it came to the day of match the Irishmen found how that they could not raise ill eleven. The nominated iger, Fred Hay, had to work the organiser Tom McCuaig, io go home because of stomach •le —so the Garrick obligingly a couple of men. ice Costello kept a watchful n the proceedings, with divided ties when he was able to take off for a bowls match.

Jrybody had a lot of fun but ■nsh found the task they had hemselves was a little uphill te presence in spirit of *of ‘‘little people”. Still they the Garrick a fright early in

the match, even though the Garridk ran out easy winners.

Half-a-mile away on the Suva bowling green the Irish and Scots engaged in a St. Patrick’s eve “barney”.

By a unique process of assimila tion, the printed score sheets carried some hitherto unfamiliar Gaelic names. There was Jack “O” Daunt, Bill “O” Needham, Henry “O” Bray, Bert “Mac”

Henry, George “Mac” Williams and Wal “Mac” Uwins.

Like the cricketers the Irish found that they could not rise to the standard set by their “haggisted” opponents and went down 88 points to 78 on the overall score, although they managed to win two games, the same as the Geordies, which wasn’t too bad.

fact this year a highlight of the season could be a Nadi-Suva match.

Nadi can, with some justification, claim to have the strongest cricket eleven in the Colony. They massacred Suva in a representative game late in January, and have toyed with Lautoka and Ba in other rep. games. Nor does all the cricket talent come from men from overseas working at Nadi Airport.

A couple of Fijians, in Aseali Driu and Mosese Bogisa, would be among the first chosen for a Fiji representative team.

Nadi does have some advantage over Suva when playing at Nadi, for the wickets are concrete, covered with matting. Suva wickets are turf, and are also covered with matting. A game worth watching

Fisherman

1 large shark attacked and ally injured 27-years-old chus fisherman Andre poleon, father of three, while was diving for shell off \Lm, at New Caledonia’s 'th point, in March. n he shark took both his ns and caused other shocking uries, but friends were able haul him into a boat, le died on the way for help.

Three skeletons discovered ring road work in Rabaul, x, recently, are believed to be ose of either Americans or ntral Europeans. Dental lings give this clue.

The skeletons were found jether, and the Government thologist at Rabaul, Dr. W. lythe, estimates they may ve been buried since about M, although it is difficult to termine the period ac rately. further inquiries are being ide.

[?]ttractive photograph shows Peter Yun, [?]rs. Chin Cheu of Talasea, New Britain, bride, formerly Helen Lee, daughter [?]and Mrs. Lee Loi Fatt, of Kokopo, in [?]lic Church, Rabaul, after their marriage —C. H. Meen.

Baptism

New Caledonia’s big m hydro-electric undertaking Yate was put to an unexpecv test in late March when t half-finished dam had to mi a sudden flood.

A terriffic and prolong downpour in the catchment at soon submerged the old da and millions of tons of wai began pouring over the m spillway.

The main construction m not damaged, but there was. lot of damage done to subsidit workings, and on the Noum to Yate road a bridge w washed away.

Pity to Have Taken the Trouble

A New Caledonian Leftist news sheet, “Le Caledonien”, which is roneod bi-weekly, was recently fined £560 for having published an article about Algeria, held to be defamatory of the French Army. The paper appealed against the conviction.

Result of the appeal, just announced : The fine almost doubled, the writer of the article sentenced to 15 days’ gaol, suspended.

*Cockeyed weather conditions, reported over most of the South acific lands (including Australia and New Zealand) in recent wnths, are still ruling in Fiji.

Suva revorted. a near-drought in January-February, but in March iere was more rain—about six-sevenths of normal. Nonetheless, ic southeast quarter of Viti Levu still is dry, and the people of uva were warned, late in March, that the greatest economy in ic use of water was needed to avoid rationing.

On the dry side of Viti Levu—all the sugar-growing country— le rainfall in March was only one half to one quarter of normal ; id there was considerable anxiety about the condition of the igar-cane.

Fiji’s normal wet season extends from November to April. There ill be need for a full measure of rain in April if anything like *i average year is to be recorded.

(From PlM’s Noumea Correspondent) A Government delegation will leave for Indo China in April, in an effort to finally do something about repatriating the Viet Namese from New Caledonia. It will discuss the problem with the Communist Government of North Viet Nam (see PIM, March, p. 113).

The delegation comprises the Finance Minister, Mr. Laborde, the Secretary to the Health Ministry, Mr. Mussot, and a Loyalty Islands’ member of the Territorial Assembly. Mr. Dicky Wakeine.

The decision to include Mr. Wakeine is certainly an astute political move, whether planned that way or not.

His presence should show the Communists that France does not practice suppression of her native peoples—as Moscow would have everybody believe.

Meanwhile, New Caledonia has been conducting a census of Indo Chinese in New Caledonia. About 90 per cent, have said they prefer to be sent home —mostly to Northern Indo China.

Wasn't a Very Strong Spell

the P-NG Supreme Court April 1, a Port Moresby )e was sentenced to 12 years for having attacked and ;ently assaulted a Euro woman while she was vng along a path in day ere was a stir during the *s lunch adjournment when e police reported that the ed had taken poison.

I the “poison” turned out e tree bark, which the e chewed to make his gums , claiming that by this od he would work a spell ■fluence the court in his r.

Transport Scene

The Pacific transport picture is always changing. Top shows a drawing of the new P. and O. 45,000-ton liner now being built in Britain for the Pacific service-and to be named the "Canberra". (See "PIM", March, page 55). Below is the De Havilland amphibious Otter aircraft to be used by Qantas in P-NG soon-to replace the Bravers and Catalinas.

Three other Otters Will be land planes. The Otter has a payload of more than a ton, and carries 11 passengers. NG's Beavers will be brought back to Australia.

For N. Guinea

apua-New Guinea has ned its first native trades rentice. e is Boe Arua, of Hanua a. Port Moresby, who on 'ch 17 was presented with his lesman’s certificate by the Tinistrator, Brigadier D. Cle oe is a letterpress machinist, 1 started working in the ernment Printing Office, ' Moresby, in February, 1949. °m the P-NG apprenticeship '-me began in 1956, he was meed enough to be able to t as a fourth year appren here are 150 native appren s, in 14 trades, in the Terri at the moment.

Their Own Club

More than 4,000 NG natives in March saw a former NG Army commander, Col. “Blue” Allan, open a clubhouse built especially for natives who served in the war.

The clubhouse is at Rabaul, for benefit of members of the Rabaul branch of the Native Ex-Servicemen’s Association. The Rabaul association is one of six formed in the Territory since the Returned Soldiers’ League got the go ahead from Federal Congress in 1957—but it’s the first branch to have a clubhouse.

The Rabaul association, like the others, is an auxiliary of the RSL, but has its own office bearers and conducts its own meetings.

Several more Territory clubhouses are expected to be built in the next 12 months. Territory people have been making donations to building funds, as a way of showing natives who fought that they won’t be forgotten.

A member of the P-NG Ad ministration, Mr. John Preston White, aged 43, has been ap pointed Administrator of Nauru, in succession to Mr. R. S. Ley din. He will begin duties in May.

Mr. White has a wife and two children. He went to NG as a patrol officer at the age of 23, and has been District Commis sioner in several areas in the last few years.

I. Thomas J. Monaghan

e death has occurred in nsland of Thomas Monaghan, ;hoolteacher well-known and lar in Port Moresby before the where he was on loan from Queensland Education Depart . He left Port Moresby about Mr. Monaghan was 56.

Wallace Washington

Brown

: death occurred at Green -5 Repatriation Hospital, Bris on March 4, of Mr. Wallace a, widely known in the linville area as a Customs and trader of Kieta.

Brown had earlier been flown reenslopes from hospital in al, where he had been a it for several weeks. Death red in his sleep. He was 59.

Brown was educated at The 5 School, Sydney, and Bris- Grammer, and first went to erritory in 1921 for the Expro , and later was with Burns as an overseer. At one time he d at Inus and Numa Numa itions. went back to the Islands after War 11, doing salvage work ’okina before starting at Kieta rader.

Brown served in both wars, eceived the Bronze Star from .mericans in World War 11.

Mention in Despatches. He widow.

Clara Augusta Browne

death occurred recently in md. NZ, following an opera f Mrs. Clara Augusta Browne, ad lived in Fiji from the age She was 82 at the time of ?ath.

Browne was the last sur child of the eight children late Thomas Cutbrush who with his wife and children lBB2. 17. Clara married Samuel Browne a well-known planter fua, who died in 1937. They .ins children, all of whom ■ Mrs. Browne. ’ are Mrs. Frances Mullard, lada; Mrs. Ruby Barry, Mr Browne and Mrs. Kathleen »n. all of Queensland: Mrs. y Saunders of NZ: Mr. Bob Mr. Clive Browne, Mrs. e Watson, and Mr. Osmond ? of Fiji.

I. Pierre Jean Truc

Pierre Jean True, chief 1 officer in the Taravao dis ►f Tahiti, died in Honolulu y a s result of a tragic diving it in Tahiti. an aqualung enthusiast, 1 a broken neck and the

bends in a diving accident off Papeete on January 26. Tahiti’s Governor, Jean Toby, sent Gov ernor Quinn, of Hawaii, an urgent request for medical help, and Dr.

True was flown from Borabora to Queen’s Hospital, Honolulu, in an iron lung aboard a special Coast Guard aircraft. He died a few days later.

Dr. True had been accompanied on the flight by his wife and his sister, Mrs. Andree Cazabon.

Mr. H. C. Crozier

The death occurred on March 26 of Mr. Herbert Caroon Crozier, well known resident of the Milne Bay District, Papua. He was 78 and a Boer War veteran.

A resident of Samarai, reporting his death, writes: “Bert had in his possession a Queen Victoria, four clasp medal for his services in South Africa where he celebrated his 21st birthday. He had been born in War wickshire and joined there the Im perial Yeomanry. After the Boer War he went to Australia, and from there to Papua. In the First World War he served with the A IF in Egypt and France and was unlucky

enough to be hit by a piece of shrapnel while in a German trench.

He always said that he was never sure whether it was ‘theirs or ours’.

However, it left a lot of his back missing.

“He volunteered again in World War II but was rejected for active service although given lighthouse duty on the Australian coast.

“After the war he returned to Papua where he did a little trading and a little prospecting until failing health forced his retirement to Sewa Bay where he spent the re maining years, mostly alone, with books and his radio for his only company.

“His body was brought to Samarai for burial. He was a fine soldier, a fine man and a great patriot.”

William Thomas Kirk

Mr. William Thomas Kirk, a former resident of Western Samoa and a man well known in com munications circles in New Zealand Territories, died at Auckland on March 6, aged 60 years.

Before returning to his native

New Zealand, about 25 years ago, Mr. Kirk was for four years secre tary to the Resident Commissioner of Savaii Island, Western Samoa, and was wireless Operator at Apia for five years prior to that. He married Miss Eugenia (“Senia”) Stowers, daughter of a well known Samoan family.

Returning to New Zealand, Mr.

Kirk served at Auckland Radio — now known as Musick Point Radio —until reaching retirement age, after which he continued to serve in the communications section at Auckland GPO until his death. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. Another son died earlier. Requiem Mass preceded the funeral at Auckland.

Charles Hayward Hughes

“Dad” Hughes, Charles Hayward Hughes, of Bth ALH, a well-known identity on the goldfields of Morobe and in Rabaul during the late’2o’s has passed on. He was buried in Brisbane on April 3. A full report will appear next month.

Adequate refreshments, of course, were on hand to cater for patriotic throats in the searing heat.

To confuse matters a little more, the weekend golfers and bowlers played each other at golf and bowls. A complicated system of scoring was designed to give players a chance in their “foreign” sports.

But handicap or no handicap the golfers won the golf and the bowlers won the bowls.

When it came to a grand tally of points it was found that the golfers had aggregated 280 during the day against the 257 by the bowlers. So the golfers were declared the winners.

Nadi in a Bid for Fiji

Sports Honours

r[E Nadi area of Fiji is bidding to take over leadership of rugby football and cricket in Fiji— on performances.

An enterprising band of rugby enthusiasts has formed a union, and has gained provisional affiliation with the Fiji Rugby Union. Dis satisfied with the way affairs were conducted by the Northern District Rugby Union (headquarters at Lautoka), they decided they could do better on their own and cater for more players.

Three teams from the Nadi area played in the competition at Lautoka last season. Now there are 11 teams from Nadi and thereabouts, and the first practice games were held as early as March 15.

As there are several players from Nadi with international experience the standard of the game shouid soon be raised to a stan dard to equal that of Suva In

will be that between Suva and Nadi at Suva towards the end of the season.

The uplift in the standard of rugby and cricket at Nadi has done much to shift the emphasis on sport from the capital city.

You Can Pick Them

By Their Plaster Casts

From Pat Robertson, In Lae, NG r[E basketball season has been under way for some time—any visitor can tell that by noting the number of local girls with their limbs in plaster.

A check shows that so far this season the girls have totted up between them a total of 20 weeks in plaster—almost half a year.

Rough playing doesn’t cause the injuries—but hard and slippery playing areas. The enthusiatic girls play at night on a piece of ground next to the oval.

Upstarts Will Try

Their Luck

From a Honiara Correspondent IIIHE Honiara (British Solomons) X soccer competition is to have a new team this year—a Euro pean one. Up to the present the competition has been in the hands of native teams from the Missions and Government departments.

But nobody at this stage really believes that the bid for white supremacy on the soccer field will be a serious one. The enthusiastic Melanesian teams, fielding men who really know how to handle a ball, trounced teams from two British Navy ships last year.

sailings are approximate and may vary by as much as two weeks.

ydney-Papua-N. Guinea

Montoro sails from Melbourne for y, Brisbane, Port Moresby, Samaral, il, Madang, Lae. Port Moresby. Next y sailing approx. April 19.

Malekula sails from Sydney for Bris- Pt. Moresby. Samarai, Lae, Rabaul, t, Alexishafen. Madang. Lae, Sydney.

Sydney sailing approx. April 15.

Malaita sails from Sydney for Bris- Lae. Madang, Lombrum, Lorengau, ng, Rabaul, Samarai (other ports onally). Next sailing approx. May Bulolo, modern liner, sails about six weeks: Sydney, Brisbane, Port >y. Samarai, Lae, Madang, Lombrum, 1 Next Sydney sailing approx, end ills from Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., Ige Street, Sydney.

Soochow: Next Sydney sailing umately May 3 for Brisbane, Port jy and Samarai.

Sinkiang: Leaves Sydney for ne, Honiara, Rabaul, Kavieng, g. Lae. Next Sydney sailing: :. May 17.

Shansi: Leaves Melbourne for \ Port Moresby, Samarai, Lae, g, Kavieng, Rabaul, Port Moresby.

Sydney sailing approx. April 17. ils from Swire and Yulll Pty. Ltd., ge St., Sydney.

Sydney-Dutch N.G.

5 weeks service by MV’s Slgll, Silin- Siblgo and Slnabang carrying pas and cargo from E. Australian 0 Hollandla and Sorong, DNG (with ind/or Manokwarl if Inducement), Borneo, Bangkok, Singapore, thence lia direct. Next Sydney sailings: April 17, July 17; Sigli May 15; ng June 3; Silindoeng June 21.

Is from Royal Interocean Lines, 255 St., Sydney.

Far East-S.W. Pacific-

Australia

X S.w. Pacific ports on south-bound journeys only.) alng: Dep. Hongkong Mar. 31, 1 Apr. 12, Rabaul Apr. 14, Lae Apr. t Moresby Apr. 22, Sydney May 2sbane May 12-15. thence Japan, Jen; Dep. Japan April 13, Hongkong 1, Madang May 5, Kavieng May 7.

May 9, Lae May 13, Port Moresby , thence to Australian ports before ng to East. ig: Dep. Japan April 30, Hongkong Madang May 18, Rabaul May 22, ,y 26, Samarai May 30, Pt. Moresby , thence to Australian ports includ r first time, Adelaide. ;hree vessels will call at any or all Australian ports, Brisbane, Sydney, rne and Adelaide, and load there for Far East Including Shanghai a call is made on the southbound between Japan and Hongkong.

Is from New Guinea Australia Line and Yuill Pty. Ltd., agents), 6 St., Sydney.

Australia-West Pacific Line motor Arcs. Cltos, Delos and Milos main-

Australia - New Zealand - Canada - USA Sailings of Orient and P. & O. Line Passenger Ships 1957-1958.

Orsova

Orcades

Oronsay

Himalaya

Sydney

depart Apl. 29 May 27 July 11 Aug. 8

Auckland

arr/dep May 2 May 30 July 14 Aug. 11

Suva

arr/dep May 5 June 2 July 17 Aug. 14

Honolulu

arr/dep May 10 June 7 July 22 Aug. 19

Vancouver

arr/dep May 16 June 13-14 July 28 Aug. 25 SAN FRANCISCO arr/dep LOS ANGELES arr/dep May 10 June 16-17 July 30-31 Aug.

Aug. 27-28 29

Honolulu

arr/dep May 24 June 21 Aug. 6 Sept. 3

Suva

arr/dep May 31 June 28 Aug. 13 Sept. 10

Auckland

arr/dep June 3 July 1 Aug. 16 Sept. 13

Sydney

arrive June 6 July 4 Aug. 19 Sept. 16

regular services between Australian 5 and Japan. Northbound vessels call klanila, Hongkong and Japan; south id vessels call at any or all of following: Hongkong, Manila, Sanda- Rabaul, Lae, Brisbane, Sydney, »ourne and Adelaide, with quarterly at Gizo (opt.), Honiara and Vani tos: Lae April 22, Brisbane April 26, ley April 30, Adelaide May 5, Mel ne May 9, thence northbound, los: Dep. Hongkong April 4, Rabaul I 12-13, Honiara April 18, Vanikoro [ 20-23, Brisbane April 27, Sydney 1 30, Adelaide May 5, Melbourne May thence northbound, los: Dep. Adelaide April 15, Melbourne 21, Sydney April 26, Brisbane April nd Townsville May 7, thence north d. >s: Dep. Japan May 2, Hongkong May Manila May 9, Sandakan May 14, ul May 22, Lae May 25, Brisbane May ydney June 2, Adelaide June 8, Mel le June 12, thence northbound, ails from Wllh. Wllhelmsen Agency Ltd., 30 Pitt St., Sydney, or Islands s (R. Tebb, Lae; Town Transport, ul." A. Strachan. Madang; BSIP Trad- Dorp., Honiara).

Zealand-Fiji-Tonga-Samoa

Tofua maintains a service from and to Suva, Nukualofa, Vavau, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva and return ckland. Next sailings from Auckland: 22, May 20.

Matua maintains a service from and to Lautoka, Suva, Apia, Suva, ton. Wellington, and return to Auck- Next sailings from Auckland: May me 7. ills from all offices of Union Steam Co. of NZ.

N. Zealand-Cook Is.

passenger vessel Maul Pomare lins a regular service between ind and the Cook Islands, lils on application to NZ Govern- Department of Island Territories, gton. or to any office of the Union . of NZ Ltd.

dney-New Hebrides-BSI-

Rabaul, Etc.

Tulagi, 10 passengers, leaves Sydney rfolk, Vila, Santo, Honiara, Tenaru, ia, Pepesala, Gizo, Kieta, Arigua. dno, Numa, Soraken. Next Sydney approx, early May. ils from Burns, Philp & Co., 7 Street. Sydney.

Iney-N. Caledonia-Tahiti

sis of Messageries Maritlmes Line, from Marseilles, via West Indies mama, call about every six weeks eete, Vila (New Hebrides), Noumea fdney, and return by same route, sent on this run are the motor- Tahitien and Caledonian. Next sailing: Caledonien, August 13: n, May 15.

Polynesia (Messageries Maritlmes) ins about monthly passenger sail etween Sydney and Noumea and !W Hebrides. Next Sydney sailings: 14, May 16, June 6.

Is from Sydney agents; Messageries les, 36 Grosvenor Street, Sydney.

Iney-S. Africa-UK-Pacific

Ports-Sydney

Savill’s new one-class all-passenger southern Cross makes four round

vorld voyages per year, two west d then two east-bound, calling at and Papeete every trip. Next voyage: Sydney homeward via South Africa, 14; dep. southward outward via i Africa, May 29; dep. Sydney, July meward via Wellington July 11, Suva 15, Tahiti July 20, Panama, West s, etc.

America-Fiji-Hebrides, etc.

Iflc Islands Transport Line’s vessels Isle and Thorshall maintain a ir service from Pacific Coast North lean ports, with sailings over 35-40 Some ports depend on cargoes ig. irshall; San Francisco, dep. April 1, Angeles April 3, Papeete April 16, ilofa April 22, Pago Pago April 24, April 26, Suva April 30, Lautoka May jmea May 8, San Francisco, inbound, 30. rsisle; Dep. San Francisco May 24, ngeles May 27, Papeete June 9, Pago June 14. Apia June 16, Suva June Dumea June 27, Lae (optional), San isco (inbound) July 18. ills from General Steamships Cor on Ltd., 432 California St., San Isco. USA, and Island Agents.

S-Tahiti-Pago Pago-Fiji-

Australia

son-Oceanlc Line of San Francisco es a regular five-weeks passenger service from Los Angeles with the •a, Alameda, Sierra and Sonoma, irn terminal ports vary with cargoes g. Vessels call at Papeete, Pago and Suva, depending on cargoes, sailings approx.. Ventura June 20, Brisbane northbound: Sonoma, arr. 7, approx. Apr. 6; northbound dep. stle approx Apr. 29. Alameda, arr. r Apr. 22; dep. Adelaide Apr. 29 ound. rican Pioneer Line, has eight ships er Gem. Isle. Glen, Reef. Cove, Star, Gulf) on Australia - Panama -US ic Coast service with calls at e on southbound voyage. Sailings . every 3 weeks.

iydney-Fiji-Vancouver

ic Shipowners, Ltd., of Suva (sub of W. R. Carpenter & Co.) operate dee three times yearly with the ton, 98-passenger vessel Lakemba the above route. Accommodation rely First Class, two-berth cabins, ailing from Sydney: About April 16. >arly August, with calls at Suva, a and Honolulu.

Us from American Trading & Shlp o. Pty., Ltd., 19 Bridge St., Sydney.

sydney-(or NZ)-North

America

four cargo vessels, Walhemo, a, Walkawa, and Waltomo, owned jerated by the Union Steam Ship NZ Ltd., maintain a monthly across the Pacific, from Sydney icouver and USA ports, via Suva, a, Nukualofa, and Apia, as cargoes Occasional calls are made at Fan iland. They have limited passenger nodation. Next Sydney sailings simately): Wairuna April 11, Wai tfay 18. Waihemo June 18, Waitomo The Waitemata. from NZ ports, 3-4 trips yearly to Vancouver, via figa and Papeete.

N. America-Hawaii-Fiji-Samoa-

Tahiti-N. Zealand-Australia

Matson Line’s Mariposa and Monterey make round passenger trips from Pacific North Coast American ports to Australia, via Pacific Islands ports and New Zealand.

Mariposa: Southbound, San Francisco April 2, Papeete April 11-13, Auckland April 19, Sydney April 22. Dep. Sydney northbound, April 26, Auckland April 29- 30, Suva May 3, Pago Pago May 4, Hono lulu May 9-10, San Francisco May 15.

Monterey; Dep. Sydney, northbound, April 5, Auckland April 8-9, Suva April 12, Pago Pago April 13, Honolulu April 18- 19, San Francisco April 24. San Francisco dep. southbound, April 27, Los Angeles April 28, Papeete, May 6-8, Auckland May 14-15, Sydney May 18.

Details from Matson Lines, Berger House, 82 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

United Kingdom-Australia-

Port Moresby

The Federal Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., has extended its regular quarterly UK- Australia service to Port Moresby.

The vessels sail from Liverpool via Suez to Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Port Moresby. Next sailings: Westmeath; Sailed Liverpool April 2, due Port Moresby about June 9.

Donegal: Will sail Liverpool approx.

June 24, due in Port Moresby early August.

Sydney agents; Birt and Co. Pty., Ltd., 4 Bridge St. Port Moresby agents; Burns Phllp (New Guinea), Ltd.

Ws-Pacific Services

Australia (or NZ)-Fiji-

Hawaii-N. America

rst and Tourist Class available ail Services.)

If Pan-American Airways*

Strain Clippers, using Sleeperettes and Berths*) Tues.. Thur.. Fri.: Sydney, Nadi, ton Is., Honolulu, San Francisco or Angeles.

Tues.. Thurs., Sat.: San Francisco iOS Angeles to Sydney (same route). i Skymasters are used on a con service between Auckland and see table 16): and also on a bi service between Nadi and Tafuna, tn Samoa (see table 19).

Qantas Empire Airways

Super Constellation Service)

Northwards

and Sat.: Melbourne, Sydney, Nadi Honolulu, San Francisco, New York, Thurs.; Sydney, Nadi. Honolulu, ancisco.

Sydney, Nadi, Honolulu, San Fran rancouver.

Southwards

and Fri.: London, New York, San :o, Honolulu, Nadi, Sydney, Mel .. Fri.: San Francisco, Honolulu, ydney.

Vancouver, San Francisco, Hono idi, Sydney.

International dateline crossed Nadi and Honolulu), super DC6 aircraft from Auck 5. connect with the Qantas north ights at Nadi on Tues., Wed, and d on Sat. and Wed. at Nadi for ;hbound flights. s Wed. and Fri. services ex connect with BOAC London at San Francisco (dep. Thurs. services ex. London Tues. and connect at San Francisco Thurs. t. with southbound Qantas ser

;Anadian Pacific Airlines

Pith Super DC-6B Aircraft) ed.: Sydney (dep. 11 p.m.) Nadi, ulu. Vancouver, Amsterdam, ri.: Dep. Auckland 10.45 p.m. for Honolulu, Vancouver, Amsterdam at.: Dep. Amsterdam at 11 p.m. r ancouver (dep. 1.30 p.m. Sun.), ulu, Fiji and Sydney, ton.; Dep. Amsterdam at 11 p.m ancouver (dep. 1.30 p.m. Tues) ulu, Fiji and Auckland.

Crosses date-line en route).

Ional Services In

Pacific

Sydney-New Guinea

:e by Qantas Empire Airways (Skymasters)

Northwards

Mon.

B rt: Arrive: 5.30 p.m. Brisbane, 9.10 p.m 10.10 p.m.

Tues.

Depart- Arrive: Townsville, 1.50 a.m Townsville. 2.50 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 6.35 a.m, Pt. Moresbv 7.35 a .m. Lae, 9 a.m.

Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat.

Depart: Arrive: Sydney. 8 p.m. Brisbane, 10.40 p.m.

Brisbane, 11.45 p.m.

Wed., Thurs., Sat., Sun.

Pt. Moresby, 6.35 a.m.

Pt. Moresby, 7.35 a.m. Lae, 9 a.m.

Thurs.

Depart: Arrive: Sydney. 8 pm. Brisbane, 10.40 p.m.

Brisbane, 11.45 p.m.

Fri.

Cairns, 4.20 a.m.

Cairns. 5.30 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 8.20 a.m.

Pt. Moresby, 9.20 a.m. Lae. 10.45 a.m.

Sun. (Thrift Class Service) Depart: Arrive; Sydney, 8 p.m. Brisbane, 10.40 p.m.

Brisbane, 11.45 p.m.

Mon.

Pt. Moresby. 6.35 a.m.

Pt. Moresby, 7.35 a.m. Lae, 9 a.m.

Southwards

Mon. (Thrift Class Service) Depart: Arrive: Lae, 10.30 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 11.45 a m Pt. Moresby, 12.30 p.m. Brisbane. 7.5 p m Brisbane, a. 30 p.m. Sydney, 11.10 p.m.

Tues.

Depart: Arrive: Lae. 10.30 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 11.45 a.m.

Pt. Moresby, 12.30 p.m. Townsville, 4.15 p.m.

Townsville, 5.45 p.m. Brisbane. 9.25 p.m Brisbane, 10.10 p.m.

Wed.

Sydney, 12.50 a.m Wed., Thurs., Sun.

Depart: Arrive: Lae, 10.30 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 11.45 a.m Pt. Moresby. 12.30 p.m. Brisbane. 7.5 pm.

Brisbane, 8.30 p.m. Sydney, 11.10 p m Fri.

Depart: Arrive; Lae, 12.45 p.m. pt. Moresby. 2 p.m.

Pt. Moresby, 2.45 p.m. Brisbane, 9.20 p.m.

Brisbane, 10.20 p.m. Sydney, 1 a.m. (Sat.) Sat.

Depart: Arrive; Lae, 10.30 a.m. Pt. Moresby, 11.45 a m Pt. Moresby, 12.30 p.m. Cairns. 3.20 p.m.

Cairns. 4.50 p Brisbane, 9.25 p.m.

Brisbane, 10.10 p.m.

Sun.

Sydney. 12.50 a.m

3. P-NG Internal Services

Operated by Qantas LAE-HOLLANDIA (Dutch New Guinea) (DC3) Alt. Wed. (April 16, 30, May 4, 28, etc.).

Departs Lae 11.00 a.m., calls at Madang and Wewak, and arrives at Hollandla 3.30 p.m. Every alternative Thurs. (April 17, May 1, 15, 29, etc.) departs Hollandia at 9.30 a.m., and, with calls at Wewak and Madang, arrives Lae at 3.20 p.m.

Port Moresby-Kikori (Catalina)

Via Yule Is., Kerema, Vaimuru: Alt. Fri returning same day (April 11, 25. Mav 8, 23, etc.) PORT MORESBY DARU (Catalina) Direct service each fourth Friday, return ing direct same day (April 18, May 16 etc.).

Port Moresby-Samarai (Catalina)

Pt. Moresby, Samarai. Pt. Moresby: Alt Tues. (April 22. May 6, 20, etc.).

Port Moresby-Rabaul (Catalina)

Alt. Tues. (April 15, 29, May 13, 27, etc ) Port Moresby-Moewe Harbour-Talasea- Jacquinot Bay-Rabaul, returning via same ports (April 17. May 1 15 29 etc.).

New Britain-Bougainville

(Catalina) Alt. Wed. (April 16, 30, May 14, etc.), Rabaul, Buka, Teopasino, Kieta, Buin.

Returning same day.

Lae-Madang-Wewak-Manus

Kavieng-Rabaul Service

(Dcs)

Mon.: Dep. Lae 6.30 a.m., Madang arr. 7.35 a.m. Wewak, Manus, Kavieng, Rabaul, arr. 3.45 p.m.

Tues.: Dep. Rabaul 6.30 a.m., Kavieng, Manus, Wewak, Madang, arr. 2.15 p.m.

Thurs.: Dep. Lae 6.30 a.m., Madang, Awar, Wewak, Manus, Kavieng, Rabaul, arr. 4.05 p.m.

Fri.; Dep. Rabaul 6.30 a.m. Kavieng, Manus. Wewak, Madang, Lae, arr. 3.55 p.m.

Central Highlands (Dcs)

Fridays: Lae (7.45 a.m.) to Wapenamunda, calling at any of: Goroka, Nondugl, Banz, MlnJ, Mt. Hagen, Baiyer R., Kamantu, Wapenamunda. Arrival back at Lae dependent on stops.

Lower Highlands

(Beaver) Fridays: Lae (7.30 a.m.) to Goroka, call ing at any of Nadzab, Kaiapit, Gusap.

Alyura, Plntntegu, Rlntebe, dena Bena.

Kainantu, Goroka. Arona. Arrival back at Lae depends on stops made.

Lae-Bulolo-Wau (D.H. Beaver)

Dep. Lae; Mon. 7.30 a.m., Tues. 11 a.m.

Dep. Wau: Mon. 8.55 a.m., Tues., 12.28p.m. Bulolo is omitted on return flight* which take 30 minutes, Wau-Lae.

Lae-Bulolo-Wau-Pt. Moresby (Dcs)

Dep. Lae Wed. and Sat. 8.30 a.m. via Bulolo, Wau to Pt. Moresby, returning via same route.

Madang-Goroka (Dcs)

Wed.: Depart Madang 7.45 a.m., arrive Goroka 8.20 a.m., returning same day; depart Goroka 8.50 a.m., arr. Madang 9.25 a.m.

New Guinea-New Britain

Bougainville (Dcs)

Fridays: Depart Lae 1.30 p.m., Plnsch hafen 2.20 p.m., arrive Rabaul 4.30 p.m.

Saturdays: Depart Rabaul 5.45 a.m., direct to Lae, arr. 8.25 am.

Sundays: Depart Lae 12 noon. Flnschhafen 1 p.m., Rabaul 3.10 p.m.

Tuesdays: Depart Rabaul 5.45 a.m., Pinsch hafen 8.10 u.m., arrive Lae 8 45 a.m.

Thurs.: Dep. Lae 11 a.m., Finschhafen, Rabaul, arr. 2.15 p.m.

Fri.; Dep. Rabaul 7 a.m., Madang, Lae r arr. 11.35 a.m.

Services By Mandated Airlines

Scheduled flights with DCS Aircraft Mon.: Depart Lae at 7 30 a.m. for Goroka, Madang, Wewak, Madang, Rabaul— remaining overnight. Depart Lae 7.30 a.m. for Goroka, Wau, Port Moresby.

Wau, Goroka, Lae.

Tues.: Depart Rabaul at 6.30 a.m. for Madang, Wewak, Madang, Goroka, Lae.

Wed.: Depart Lae 7 a.m. for Madang, Wewak, Momote, Kavieng, Rabaul.

Depart Lae 7.30 a.m. for Goroka, Wau, Port Moresby, Wau, Goroka, Lae!

Optional call at Goroka on this flight.

Thurs : Depart Rabaul 7 a.m. for Kavieng.

Momote, Wewak, Madang, Goroka, Lae.

Fri.: Depart Lae at 7 a.m. for Madang, Wewak, Momote. Kavieng. Rabaul remaining overnight. Depart Lae 7.39 a.m. ifor Goroka, Wau, Port Moresby, Wau. Goroka, Lae.

Sat.: Depart Rabaul at 7 am. for Kavieng, Momote, Wewak, Madang, Goroka, Lae.

4. Aust-Dutch N. Guinea

By KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Super Constellation Service) A weekly service between Sydney and Amsterdam with a call at Biak (DNG) and Manila (Philippines). (Over)

13 aircraft link Blak with Hollandia. ag Merauke, Tenah Merah, Manok- Nlemfoer, Ransikl, Genjem, and nao.

>. N. Guinea-Solomons

By Qantas with DCS Aircraft.

Three flights every four weeks) (Apr. 21, 28, May 5, 19, 26. etc.) Lae ? 6 a.m.: Finschhafen. Rabaul, ka, Vella Lavella, Yandlna, Honiara BD. arriving 5.25 p.m.

'April 22, 29. May 6, 20, etc.) niara dep. 7 a.m.; Yandlna, Vella rella, Buka. Rabaul, Lae, arriving S p.m.

. Paris-Saigon-Noumea-

Auckland

ansports Aeriens Intercontlnentanx aircraft depart Paris every Monday Athens, Karachi, Saigon, Darwin, sbane, Noumea, Auckland. Leaves kland every Friday on return.

Sydney-Lord Howe Is.

ly Ansett Airways Pty., Ltd., ith Sandringham Flying-boats. flight usually each Tuesday and urday.

I. Sydney-Norfolk Is.

[By Qantas, with Skymaster) 'ri. Dep. Sydney midnight, arr. 6.45 a.m. Saturday; dep. NI 5.30 same day for Sydney, arr. 9.30 Alt. weeks makes Nl-Auckland light. (See table 12 below).

9. Sydney-Noumea

By Qantas, with Skymasters (Weekly) Sydney dep. 11.45 p.m., arriving iouta, 7 a.m. Fridays. ?ontouta dep. 8.30 a.m., arriving ley, 2 p.m.

. New Caledonia-New

Hebrides

TAI with DCS Aircraft. days: Depart Tontouta 8 a.m., e Santo 11.10 a.m., arrive Vila p.m., depart Vila 2.15 p.m., arrive outa 4.30 p.m. ys: Depart Tontouta 8 a.m., arrive 10.20 a.m., arrive Santo 12.5 p.m., rt Santo 1.30 p.m., arrive Tontouta p.m.

. New Caledonia-Fiji-

Wallis Is.

TAI with DCS Aircraft e from Noumea to Nadi (Fiji) allis Is. first Sunday in each Next flights; May 4. June 1, July Wallis May 6, June 3, July 8.

Norfolk Is.-Auckiand

lEAL, by Qantas (charter) Return flight Norfolk (dep. 8 Auckland (arr. 11.45 a.m., dep. pm.) Norfolk (arr. 4.15 p.m.).

Table 8 above).

13. Auckland-Sydney

Tasman Empire Airways, with DC6 aircraft.

Daily except Mon.; Dep. Auckland 9.30 a.m., arr. Sydney 1.00 p.m.

Mon.; Departs Auckland 11.30 a.m. arr.

Sydney 3 p.m.

Daily except Mon. and Sat.: Dep. Sydney 3.00 p.m., arr. Auckland 10.00 p.m.

Sat.; Dep. Sydney 10 a.m., arr. Auck land 5 p.m.

14. Christchurch-Sydney

Tasman Empire Airways, with DC6 aircraft.

Tues. and Fri.: Dep. Christchurch 5 p.m., arr. Sydney 8.40 p.m.

Tues.: Dep. Sydney 8 a.m., arr. Christ church 3.10 p.m.

Sat.: Dep. Sydney 3.00 p.m., arr. Christ church 10.10 p.m.

ISA. Christchurch-Melbourne

Tasman Empire Airways, with DC6 aircraft.

Sun.: Dep. Christchurch 11.30 a.m., arr.

Melbourne 4.00 p.m.

Prl.; Dep. Melbourne 7.30 a.m., arr.

Christchurch 3.00 p.m.

156. Auckland-Melbourne

Tasman Empire Airways, with DCS Aircraft.

Thurs.: Dep. Auckland 11.30 am., arr Melbourne 4.15 p.m.

Mon.: Dep. Melbourne 7.30 a.m.. arr.

Auckland 3.45 p.m.

16. New Zealand-Fiji

Tasman Empire Airways, with Super DCS aircraft.

Tues., Wed., Fri.; Dep. Auckland 4 p.m., arr. Nadi 9 p.m.

Wed.. Sat.: Dep. Nadi 10.30 a.m.. arr Auckland 3.30 p.m.

Thur.: Dep. Nadi 30 min. past midnight arr. Auckland, 5.30 a.m.

Pan-American Airways, with Skymasters Sun., Tues., Thurs.: Dep. Auckland 3.30 p.m., arr. Nadi 10.35 p.m.

Sun., Tues., Thurs.: Dep. Nadi, 12.30 a.m., arr. Auckland 7.50 a.m.

17. Fiji-Tahiti

Tasman Empire Airways, with Solent aircraft.

Service normally fortnightly, with extra flights as required.

Departs Suva Thurs. 9 a.m. crosses Date- Line, arrives Satapuala (W. Samoa) Wed. 1.55 p.m., departs Thurs. 2 a.m., arrives Aitutaki 7.30 a.m., departs 9 30 a.m.. arrives Papeete (Tahiti) 2 p.m.' Departs Papeete Sun. 7.30 a.m., arrives Aitutaki 11 a.m., departs 12.30 p m arrives Satapuala 5 p.m., departs Mon’ 8 a.m.. crosses Date-Line arrives Suva Tues. 10.55 a.m.

Leaves Suva April 17, May 15, June 6 13 20. 27, July 4, 11, 18, 25. Leaves Papeete May 4, 18, June 8, 15, 22 29 July 6, 13, 20, 27.

18. Fiji-Samoa

Tasman Empire Airways, with Solent Aircraft.

Dep. Suva 6 a.m., arr. Satapuala 11.5 a.m.

Dep. Satapuala 1.30 p.m., arr. Suva 435 p.m.

Next flights from Suva April 14. May 21.

Crossing International Date-Line and leaving Satapuala April 13, May 20,

19. Fiji-American Samoa

Pan American Airways With DC4 Aircraft Alt. Fri. dep. Nadi 7 a.m., arr. Tafuna 12.30 p.m. (Thurs.).

Alt. Thurs. dep. Tafuna 2.30 p.m., arr.

Nadi 8.5 p.m. (Friday). (Note: This service crosses International Date Line —the two-way flight Is actually made on the one day.)

20. Fiji Internal Airways

Fiji Airways, Ltd., Drover Aircraft.

Suva-Nadl-Suva: Two flights dally except Wed., Sun., one flight.

Suva-Nadi; Tues., Wed., Prl. (additional to the above return flights).

Nadl-Suva: Wed., Thurs., Sat.

Suva-Labasa-Suva: Dally.

Suva-Taveunl-Suva; Prl., Sun.

Suva-Taveunl-Savusavu-Suva; Wed.

Suva-Savusavu-Taveunl-Suva; Thurs.

Suva - Labasa - Savusavu - Labasa - Suva; Tues., Thurs.

Suva-Labasa-Taveunl-Labasa-Suva: Prl.

Suva-Savusavu-Suva; Mon., Tues.

Suva - Savusavu - Labasa - Savusavu - Suva: Sat., Sun.

Suva-Taveuni-Labasa-Taveuni-Suva; Mon.

21. N. Caledonia-Loyalty Is.

Internal Service

Societe Caledonlenne de Transports Aeriens (TRANSPAC), with Heron and Rapide aircraft.

Noumea (Magenta), Lifou (Chepenehe), Noumea: Tues. a.m.. Wed. and Thurs. p.m.

Noumea. Mare (Tadine), Noumea; Tues, p.m.

Noumea, Mare, Lifou, Noumea, or Noumea, Lifou, Mare, Noumea, alternatively, Thurs. a.m.

Noumea, Koumac, Noumea (with con ditional call as Plaine des Gaiacs): Fri. a.m.

Noumea, Lifou, Ouvea Is.: Wed. mornings.

Noumea, He des Pins, Noumea; Saturday and Monday afternoons.

22. Micronesia

Trans Ocean Airlines.

Using Grumman Albatross twin-motored amphibious flying boats, TOA operates a service throughout the Trust Territory of Micronesia on behalf of the US Govern ment. Details from Trans Ocean Airlines, Agana. Guam.

23. French Polynesia Inter-

Island Service

Messageries Aeriens Interinsular (MAI), with Amphibious Catalina.

Twice weekly service to the Leeward Group.

Wednesday: Papeete, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Papeete.

Friday: Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea, Papeete.

Booking agents In Papeete: Messageries Maritimes.

What’s Behind The Interest In Barikewa?

By the Finance Editor

After more than 20 years of searching throughout Papua, the quest for oil seems to be nearing its end.

The Minister for National Development, Senator Spooner re cently announced in Port Moresby that the companies concerned would drill only one more well — at Kuru—after the present three wells were completed.

But, he said they were interested in retaining the Barikewa area where substantial gas finds were made.

Senator Spooner did not say why the companies want to retain the Barikewa area.

But one suggestion is that the gas there might be used in con nection with the proposed bauxite refinery to handle ore from Weipa.

Of course, the possibility still remains of an oil find in one of the remaining wells to be completed.

That would transform the whole situation.

But after so many years and so many millions of pounds it must be conceded to be a long chance.

The end was foreshadowed re cently when Vacuum Oil withdrew from the partnership. British Petroleum is understood to have tried in vain to get a new partner.

It will be a bitter blow not only to the shareholders and to Papua but also to the Commonwealth’s hopes of obtaining its own source of oil supplies.

Sharemarket reaction to the news was prompt. Oil Search shares dropped to 1 9 but recovered to 2/1, which compares with the peak price of 34/6 during the 1953-54 oil boom. Papuan Apinaipi fell to 1/-, and Timor Oil to 2/10— the lowest since the shares came onto the list last year.

April drilling report of the op erating companies announces the virtual end of one of the three current wells. Komewu No. 2 reached basement at 9,950 feet, and routine testing of formations will be done before the well is closed.

Drilling crews will then be shifted from this well to Kuru No. 3 where operations will then begin.

According to Senator Spooner’s recent announcement, this is the last well planned by the companies.

At other well sites, Barikewa has been deepened 1,683 ft to 10.262 ft, and Puri 1,385 ft to 5,980 ft.

Sangara (Holdings), Ltd.: This

cocoa and rubber plantation earned profit of £19,073 for the year to Janr last, compared with £24,014 for the year. Steady dividends of 6-2/3 per • ordinary and 6 per cent, on preference require £19,216. Cocoa production ii from 4,453 lb to 12,313 lb but rubbei: was down by 1,743 lb to 473,475 II arose from "certain staff difficulties"’ cut output between February and Ju which have now been eliminated, i state. July production was a record I lb, and subsequent monthly figures havn an average increase of 3,871 lb over vious year's figures. Main causes of profit were a reduction of about 3£d pc the average price of rubber and thf cost of cleaning the No. 6 area at Mt. Lamington disaster. High yielding; trees equivalent to 70 acres have been i to replace lost trees in the 600 acres; 6 area. Further planting is proceeding. I expect an increase in production this y * * *

Steamships Trading Co., Ltd.,

slightly improved results for the half-’

January 31 last. Overall volume of was more than maintained despite prices for rubber and copra. Interim dividends are unchanged at 6\ per o ordinary and 5 per cent, on preferences payable on May 5. * * * BULOLO GOLD DREDGING showed a st in production in the three months to Nf 30 last. Production was 9,192 oz fir from 1,793,400 cubic yards dredged, cc with 17,097 oz from 2,555,000 cubic * the corresponding period of 1956. Vac down from 598,395 dollars to 321,720 i Only one dredge was operating againstl the 1956 period. For the three moc February 28, production was 3,209 oz fii compared with 13,565 oz in the same 1 of 1957. * * * TIMOR OIL, LTD., has stopped drilling i well at Aliambata and is now proceediil field work aimed at fixing a new wi\ Difficulties had developed with format!# brought back to mind the original pn reference to the company's areas as complex" in structure. Subsequently thr was played down by the company. Bee the rather limited capital of the corv sufficient for only about five wells—it i hoped that no such unexpected comr are met in subsequent drilling. * * * PAPUAN RUBBER: Steamships Tradii Ltd., acting as agents, reports the M production for February—Kerema, 331 (Jan., 33,300); Mariboi, 73,084 0 Rubberlands, 33,000 (34,000); Lolorua,, (40,485). * IRON ORE: Last year Australia's ex: steel industry found it necessary to c 146,605 tons of iron ore, most of whiii from New Caledonia. The company is ing new deposits of iron ore but appear to continue to need the New Caledos for some time yet. * * *

Dylup Plantations, Ltd., Which

near Madang, maintained copra produett: during the year, to January 31 lastz total output was 1,201 tons, directors- But the average price over the pern

’ a ton lower than in the previous With the expiration of the British •y of Food sales contract, directors do cpect current year's prices to fall by fian 10 per cent, on last year's levels, they admit that final effects of the i system are still to be seen. ) production of 135 tons for the past regarded as satisfactory. Return from creasing yield is expected to assist the y to meet any lowered returns from lors will continue what they describe f year's "considerable programme of expenditure". have appointed Mr. W. Theo Thomas tional director. Mr. Thomas is stated had very extensive experience in the of cocoa and copra. ♦ * * alian guarantee corporation, ltd., up a subsidiary, A.G.C. (Pacific), Ltd., de a hire-purchase service throughout nd New Guinea.

I. S. Kemmis is in charge of the new , which has established its head at Port Moresby. i in 1925, Australian Guarantee Cor has grown to rank as the second )f Australia's hire-purchase companies, y last year it formed an association : Bank of New South Wales, which 10 per cent, interest in the company, (suit more than 1,000 branches and of the bank act as agents for the on. ear the corporation made a net profit million and paid a 15 per cent Turnover for the year was up by ion to £66 million. Assets exceeded on, including £31.7 million owed to e purchase contracts.

officially opened a modern, ilding m Mango Avenue, Rabaul, on Its of two floors, in contemporary the third Bank of NSW building to in Rabaul. The first wa'; destroyed the second was temporary premises now be pulled down.

Sydney Stock

Exchange

April 8 Ip 67/6

Ip (Ss) .

. 45/- 45/6 antations £40| £41 • n/9 12/nber 44/ubber , . 10/3 ubber Estates 11/9 6/9 ubber . . 5/7 5/9 s. Whaling . 4/1 4/2 1 Insurance (new) 69/s ific Insurance . 56/- 5/6 56/6 Trading . . ■ 45/6 46/6 rpenter H'ld. 2/10 . . 12/- 12/4

Oil And Mining Shares

Fiji

Aug., '39 June, '57 Apr. 8, '58 • - b/9/11 blO/3 . . . S25/6 b27/- —

Papua-New

Guinea

. . bl24/b45/- . . bl/10 b2/2 bl/l| . . b3/l1 bl4/11 b2/- .G. . — s2/b6d . . b5/b6/6 m. . b4/l1 b3/6 bl Id . . . b68/6 bl01/6 b85/6 nk . bl/5 s6d b3d

ss otherwise stated, quotations are tstralian currency. Aust. £ equals simately 16/- Stg., NZ, or W. i; 18/- Fiji; 20/- Tonga, Solomons & I areas; 168 Pac. Frs.; SUS 2.20-2.30.)

Copra

British Ministry of Food 9-years kct, which governed Copra prices )ua and New Guinea, Fiji, Western , Solomon Islands, and Gilbert and Colony (and, to some extent, in and Cook Islands) expired on De ■ 31, 1957; since when each Terri as made its own arrangements for lon and marketing of copra.

JA-NEW GUINEA:—AII production vered to Copra Marketing Board, led by Government; and the Board distribution and sales, and makes its to the producers. Production lainly to (a) Unilever (under con lovering 1958), (b) Australia (for onsumption) and (c) crushing-mill taul. Prices generally arranged in ■nee with ruling rate in Philippines Unilever price: Manila FM grade vith premiums up to £3A per ton :-air dried. ntative” Price For New Guinea anuary, P-NG Copra Board an l “Tentative Prices”, from January opra delivered at main ports: Hot sd, £A47 per ton; FM Standard,

noke-Dried, £45/7/6.

—No Government control—producers ?re they wish. Bulk of copra goes ihing-mill in Suva, whose price rf, Suva, is announced each week. \pril 1. Ist grade, £FS3/2/6; 2nd £FSI/17/6; 3rd grade, £FSO/10/-.

ERN SAMOA:—Official Copra receives all production, and sells nd makes payments to producers, proportion goes to Unilever, at ties FM grade rates, plus pre up to £Stg.3 per ton for hot d. Prices for first quarter, 1958 dried: £Stg.4s/14/-; smoke dried £Stg.43/19/-; No. 2: £Stg.42/19/-.

A: —Sales are under Government Part of production goes to Europe irrangement with Unilever con by Philippines prices, and part pen market.

JONS;—AII production marketed official Copra Board, at prices i Philippines market. Price de pril.—lst grade. £AS3; 2nd grade rd grade, £A46.

RT AND ELLlCE;—Production I in Europe through official - Copra at prices based on Philippines :ss “stabilisation fund” charges, OA: —Producers receive 4 cents lb. or £A4O approx, per long ton), bonus, if average proceeds exceed ying price and expenses.

HEBRIDES: —ApriI 3: 7,400 Pac about £ A43/5/9) delivered Vila/ ISLANDS;—LocaI price is based 50 per ton, f.0.b.. Rarotonga, nium of 50/- (NZ) for top grade 1. Shipping, handling, shrinkage age charges reduce the outer )rice to about £NZ3O per ton, e.

Islands prices are based on the Ghana cocoa which on April 9 =•335 per ton, c.i.f., London.

April 9: From £A4OO to c.i.f., Sydney, depending on OA; —Last season’s supplies ex- Nominal at £Stg.32o.

P--N.G.: April 9: Top grade,

5/6; other as low as 4/6 per lb.

PEANUTS:—P.-N.G.: April 9: Kernels 2/- into store; Virginia bunch, in shell, large, well cleaned, 1/5 per lb. del. Sydney.

RUBBER:—P.-N.G. price is based on Singapore rate, which on April 9 was: No. 1 RSS, spot, 77.25 Straits cents (26.82 d Aust. approx.) per lb.

VANILLA BEANS: Victor Karp, Tulk & Co.. Sydney, reported on April 9: New crop, c.i.f., Sydney. Tahiti White and Yellow label, processed standard packs 66/-, Green 64/-.

RICE (Australian): —Price from May 1. 1958—P.-N.G.: Dry brown and dressed, 112 lb bags, 5 tons and over, £6l/10/per ton, f.0.w.; under 5 tons £62 per ton. Vitamised and enriched white, 112 lb bags, 5 tons and over, £6B per ton, f.0.w.; under 5 tons, £6B/10/- per ton.

Other Pac. Islands: Dry, brown, etc., £7O per ton, f.0.w., Sydney or Melbourne.

PEARL SHELL.—ApriI 9 quotation by independent pearlers: Sound, £A7SO; D, £ A 550; E, £ A 375; EE, £A2OS (in store Sydney). Cook Is. - Penrhyn: April 9: Export price, £Stg.soo (approx.) f.o.b. Rarotonga.

TROCHUS:—Market still weak. Quotes nominal, NG, £A325; BSI. £A325; New Hebrides, agent reports “No business offering”. Prices are less rejects and based on Sydney weights.

GREEN SNAIL:—Ist quote; Ist quality, £ A 345; 2nd quality, £A2BO. Subject to vagaries of market. 2nd quote: £A29O nominal price.

London and US Quotations

Copra:—London, April 8: Philippines in bulk April-May $193 (seller). April 3, Straits/Borneo, fair merchantable del weight, c.i.f., UK/Nth. European ports, April-May, £5tg.69.5 (buyer), April 8 Philippines, c.i.f., US Pacific coast port.’ $lB4 asked. (£1 Australian is about equal to 2 25 US Dollars.) Coconut Oil; —London, April 8, Straits, crude, bulk c.i.f. April-May £Stg. 101/10/seller. Ceylon, in bulk, c.i.f.. fair, UK- Nth. European ports, April-May £Stg.lo9. reseller.

Rubber:—London. April 9; RSS No 1, spot, 23V4d Stg.; July-September, 23‘/sd Stg.; March, 1959, 22 7 / 8 d Stg.

Exchange Rates

FlJl.—Through BANK OF NSW, ANZ BANK and BANK OF NZ. Australia on Fiji, basis £lOO Fiji; Buying, £Alll/2/6; Selling, £AII3. Fiji-London, basis £lOO London: B. £llO/15/-; S, £ll2. NZ-Fiji, basis £lOO NZ; B. £lll/11/9; S. £llO/4/3.

SAMOA.—Through BANK OF NZ. Aus tralia on Samoa, basis £lOO Samoa: B. £ A123/12/6; S. £124/10/9. Samoa- London, basis £lOO London: B. £99/7/6; S. £lOl/10/-. Samoa-NZ, basis £lOO NZ: B. £100; S. £lOO/10/-. Samoa-Fiji, basis £lOO Samoa: B. £ 111; S. £llO.

Papua - Ng.—Commonwealth Bank

(Pt. Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Goroka, Bulolo, Kavieng, Madang, Wewak), BANK OF NSW (branches: Port Moresby, Lae, Bulolo, Rabaul. Madang, Samarai, Goroka; agencies: Wau, Boroko, Kokopo), ANZ BANK (Port Moresby) and NATIONAL BANK OF A/ASIA. (Port Moresby) quote exchange rate Australia-Papua-NG- 10/per £ AlOO.

NORFOLK IS.—Commonwealth Bank quotes exchange rate Australia - Norfolk Island: 5/- per £AIOO.

FR. PACIFIC COLONIES.—Pacific francs, most valuable of the*three franc groups in French Union, are used in New Cale donia, New Hebrides, and Fr. Polynesia FRENCH BANK (Comptoir National D’Escompte de Paris) in Sydney quotes: Selling Noumea: 168 Pac. fr. to £ Aust.,

Papeete: 166.56 Pac. fr.; Noumea-Papeete 1

S. 208 Pac. fr. to £Stg. Noumea-Papeete- B. 75.82 Pac. fr. to US $.

Cook Islands Copra Contract

Following negotiations between Cook Islands main copra exporters, the Cook Islands Administration, the NZ Depart ment of Island Territories, and Abels, Ltd., who own the only New Zealand crushing mill and handle the entire Cook Islands copra output, it has been an nounced that an agreement has been reached on the price to be paid during the first half of 1958.

Abels, Ltd., of Auckland, have agreed to purchase two grades of copra in ac cordance with recommendations of the Cook Islands Legislative Council. First grade sun dried or hot air dried copra will be known as No. 1 Grade and will command a premium of 50/- over f.a.q. copra known as No. 2 Grade. The price will be based on No. 2 Grade and is fixed at £ NZSO per ton f.o.b. Rarotonga to the end of June. At the end of June the price will be reviewed on the basis of world free-market prices then ruling.

The shippers signing the contract are Donalds, C.1.T.C.. D. C. Brown. Napa, Tapai, John Williams, Harrington, and Seventh Day Adventist Mission.

LONDON. March 28.

In spite of cocoa buyers’ discontent with the prices they pay, the quotes for cocoa continue to rise.

The costs of production, however, do appear too high. No doubt the high prices obtained for years have made the planters careless in the cost of curing.

Even with the bigger pay provided for the workers, costs appear out of reason; and. unless they can cut their cloth according to their income, they are in for some shocks, as the buyers sooner or later will force lower prices.

Now that the Samoans have control of all cocoa production, I think they should have three or four central curing depots.

They should arrange a series of ferment ing boxes, to take wet beans from A on Monday, B on Tuesday, and so on. If they worked on a co-operative basis, all wet beans could be put together—after weighing and agreeing on a basis of per centage of shrinkage—and then they could sell the lot as Samoan No. 1, or No. 2 las the case may be). The manufacturers then would get a fairly large tonnage of equitable merchandise, and the proceeds of each lot would be divided in proportion to the agreed percentage of shrinkage.

Because of the slump in shell prices, residents of the Pacific Islands who try to make some income out of the surrounding seas have been asking about the possi bilities of the well known sea-slug, Beche de-Mer. It is generally thought that there is a profitable market for it in Chinese communities where it is a recognised food.

Inquiries made of Messrs. Intercontental Enterprise Pty., Ltd., Sydney, who handle various tropical marine produce, indicate that there is not much in Beche-de-Mer.

“There is a market,” they reported, “but it is a very small one, and there is little demand. The price now offering barely pays for the gathering and curing of the thing.

“There are 12 types of Beche-de-Mer, and only three of these types are sale able. The producer must not only know whether the sea-slug he has gathered is one of the three wanted, but he also must know how to cure the sea-slug—a certain amount of know-how is needed here. We will take samples and try to find a market. But there should be at least six samples of each line.”

A.E.I 128

Akta-Vite ... 30 Aluminium Union 70

A.M.L. & F. ... 46

Angliss, W. & Co. 38 Appleton, N. V. . 124 Arnott, Wm. . . 134 Aspro 60 Austin Cars . .140 Aust. Cotton . . 66 A. 44 Baker, W. Jno. . 65 Barton, C. ... 47 Bank of NSW 39, 61 Berger Paints . 136 Bethel I, Gwyn . 157 Blackwood Hodge 52 Blaxland-Rae . . 105 Bradford Mills . 130 Brasso . . . .151 Braybon Bros. . . 5 Bristol Myers . . 72 British United Dairies . . . 118 Britstand ... 42 Broadway Motors 156 Burton & Co. .. 121 Bunting, A. H. . 108 Bush, W. J. . . .66 B. 55, 89, 98, 157 Cadbury ... 8 Carlton Breweries 54 Carpenter Ltd. . 114 Case Tractors . . 36 Cecil, The Hotel 131 Coldstream P/L . 76 Colgate ... 132 Colmans Mustard 125 Colonial Meat . 110 Colyer Watson . . 92 C'wealth Bank . . 6 Crammond Co. . . 80 Crane, G. E. . . 100 Cystex 119 Danger, G. & M. 116 Disprin ... 143 Donald Ltd. ... 47 Douglass, W. Co. 43 Dunlop Rubber . 120 Econo Steel ... 48 Et. Donald ... 63 Everyday Products 73 Filmo Depot . .152 Franke & Hiedecke 146 Frigate Rum . . 131 Gardner Eng. . . 106 Garret, D. & M. 164 Gilbey, W. & A. 12 Gillespie Bros. . . 74 Gillespie, R. . 1, 144 Glazebrooks Paints 142 Gollin & Co. . . 152 Goroka, Hotel . . 93 G.P.H. (Suva) . . 156 Grove Ltd. . 60, 128 Halvorsen, B. . 108 Hanimex . . . .168 Hanson, G. ... 164 Hari, G. B. . . . 68 Harvey Trinder . . 9 Hastings Diesels 138 Hawleys Ltd. . . 56 Hellaby Ltd. ... 71 Hemingway Robert son Institute . 58 Howard Cultivators 90 1.C.1 122 International Harvester ... 2 International Uni versity ... 30

K.L.M 160

Kodak 148 Kennedy, Capt. . 105 Kerr Bros. ... 151 Kiwi Polish ... 63 Kopsen & Co. . 102

Lawrence, A..

Lysaght, J.

Macßobertsonr MacMillan .

Magazine Sen Mcllrath's .

McPherson's I Marine Spare Mendaco .

Merrillees, J.l Millers Ltd.

Mitchell's TV Morris, H. .

M. H. Ltd.

Mungo Scottt Nathan & Wy N. & R. . ..

Nestles . .

NG Aust. Lin Nile Product: - Nixoderm .

N.Z.N.A.C. ..

Orient Line ..

P.A.A. . .

Papuan Printt Parke Davis Parker Pens P. I. Line .

Piccaninny \A Prudence Jait Q!d. Insurant!

Ransomes Co Rohu, Sil .

Sariba Slipw.% Seward Ltd.

Shaw Savill Sleepmakers

S.T.C. Co. .

Steradent .

Sparklets Ltd) Stapleton, J.

Stewarts Lloy S. P. Brewen Sthn. Pac. II Sullivan Ltd.J Tait, W. S.

Tatham, S.

Taubmans Ltd Thermax . .

Thornburgh O Tilley Lampsz Thornycroft 0 Ti Hock & Coo Tongala MiIW Tooth & Co..

Turners & Growers .

Tyneside Eng?

United Insun

U.R.D

Vacuum Oil Ventura . . .

Van Gelder, Victa Mowen Vi-Stim . .

Vincent's API Walkers Ltd.J Warnock . .

Wau, Hotel Webster, D..

Sons . .

Westfield M tl Weymouth Ptt 1 White, J. ..

White Rose i Wilhelmsen, , Wills Ltd. .

Wright & Coo Wrigley's .

Wunderlich Yorkshire Ini Zevenboom, ,