New Guinea News

Pioneer Missionary Retires—Murder of Mr. Edmonds — New Wharf at Malaguna

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Dec. 20.

THE prolonged dry spell, which caused a good deal of concern, has now left us and we are now receiv ing a fair share of rain with some heavy storms thrown in to make up.

As usually occurs after a dry spell, storms are accompanied by earth tremors, and we have experienced quite a few distinct and severe shocks, some of which lasted several minutes.

Hard times have made householders watch expenditure, with the result that numerous orders have been re ceived by Sydney retail establishments for groceries, etc. This has given our local stores furiously to think, and

have been greatly facilitated if the frontage had been 80 feet longer. A fur ther drawback that has been discov ered is that it was found impossible to work all hatches of the Montoro simultaneously.

Appointment Of German

Consul.

A very popular appointment has been announced in the notification that Mr. Ernst Paatzsch will fill the position of German Consul for the Ter ritory of New Guinea. Mr. Paatzsch has been a resident of this territory since 1913 and, since 1923, has been in business on his own account. One of Mr. Paatzsch’s claims to fame is

New Aerodrome at Bulolo, New Guinea

strong efforts are being made to regain the trade that is now going to Sydney.

One big Chinese store has been giv ing 10 per cent, discount for cash for some months past on groceries only, and has in consequence maintained sales, but some other stores have suf fered.

Burns, Philp & Co. have taken the lead, and have not only materially re duced prices, but now give a 10 per cent, discount for cash in all depart ments. Carpenter & Co. announce special lines on which they give a 15 per cent, cash discount for a specified period only, other lines still being sub ject to the old 5 per cent, discount.

Rivalry is keen to secure business, which is all to the benefit of resi dents.

One of our pioneer missionaries, the Rev. Dr. Flierl, who came to this country in 1886, has retired and left us in September last. Dr. Flierl foun ded several mission stations on the mainland, and finally settled at Sat tleberg, 3,000 feet above sea level. In 1904 he removed to Heldsbach, about five miles north of Finschhafen, the headquarters of the Lutheran Mission, with which organisation he was asso ciated.

A traveller, from Melbourne, has received a sudden check to his career, as for the next eighteen months he will be a working guest of the Admin istration in one of the Federal prisons.

This man came to the territory as a travelling agent and, it is alleged, passed two worthless cheques on a bank in Victoria for goods received.

Both cheques were dishonoured. In the meantime, he had left the ter ritory, but the Government took imme diate action and had him brought back here for trial.

The Kolai Murder.

Last month the native, Fiona, was brought for trial before the Chief Judge on a charge of murdering Mr.

D. G. Edmonds, manager of the Mel anesia Company’s plantation at Rolai.

It transpired at the trial that Edmonds had habitually brutally ill-treated the natives employed on the plantation and had interfered with native women, some of whom were wives of the native labourers. The evidence was corrobor ated by the European manager of a neighbouring plantation.

The Judge in his summing up stated that the deceased by his gross brutal ity and interference with native wo men had got his labourers into a state of mind which would explain, and might almost be said to justify, an out break. The murder was a natural con sequence of the persecution of the ac cused by the deceased. The accused was found guilty of wilful murder. The Judge did not pronounce sentence of death, but ordered judgment of death to be entered on record. He expressed the opinion that mercy should be shown to the accused.

The miniature golf craze has spread to Rabaul. A course has been installed at the Rabaul Hotel and another is to be built at Wuriawutung Hotel. The latter still continues to enjoy excep tionally busy times, due entirely to the attention and courtesy shown by the management. Wunawutung is quite the most popular resort in this district and since its reorganisation, is filling a long-felt want as a pleasure resort for residents of Rabaul.

On December 1 the new wharf at Malaguna was used for the first time.

SS. Montoro, with Captain C. Wil liams in command, captured the dis tinction. His Honour the Administra tor was present. It appears that the task of berthing and loading would

that he is one of the founders of the popular German Club, and that it is largely due to his efforts that the Club has made such remarkable progress.

After a visit of four months Mr.

Walcott has returned to Australia, having completed his investigation for the re-classification of the public ser vice of this territory. His report is not expected until January, and will cover the whole service, which com prises about 400 officers.

Built by Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., the Bulolo aerodrome, on the New Guinea Goldfields, was opened last month. A Guinea Airway’s Junker ’plane was the first to use the new landing ground.