New Guinea News
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Popular Returned Soldiers’ President —Mrs. Wisdom Leaves tor Sydney
From Our Own Correspondent
RABAUL, August 30.
MR. D. M. Forsyth, one of the best known personalities in the Terri tory, who for some years past has been practising in Rabaul as an Accountant and company secretary, has decided to devote his attention in future to the management of his extensive plantation and land interests.
Mr. Forsyth is leaving Rabaul to re side at Gavit, his plantation in the Bainings district.
Mr. Forsyth has for the past two years most ably filled the position of President of the Returned Soldiers’
Association, New Guinea branch. No one could have worked harder or more energetically for the returned soldier, and Mr. Forsyth has the satisfaction of knowing that, in the majority of cases, his efforts have met with suc cess.
It is largely due to his efforts that returned soldier planters secured relief, during these times of depression, from payments of both interest and princi pal on their plantations. Mr. Forsyth has, under pressure, consented to com plete his term as President of the R.S.S.I.L.A. here, so it is gratifying to know that the Association will still have the benefit of his experience and advice.
It is understood that Mrs. Wisdom is now well enough to undertake the journey to Australia and she will leave by the Macdhui on September 12. Gen eral Wisdom is accompanying Mrs.
Wisdom, also Miss Mears, who arrived recently for the purpose of nursing Mrs. Wisdom.
Enterprising Planter
It takes more than the present con ditions to depress some of our younger planters. Mr. Oscar Rondahl, of Mak urapau Plantation, about 27 miles from Rabaul, in the populous Kokopo Dis trict, has installed a complete cine matograph at his home for the enter tainment of his friends and neighbours.
Not only does Mr. Rondahl secure films from the Rabaul Picture Theatre, but he makes himself a large number of films of local interest.
Mr. Rondahl took up flying when in Australia recently, and we believe re turns to complete his training at the end of the year. In all probability, Mr. Rondahl will have the distinction of being the first of our planters to use aviation as his means of transport between Rabaul and his plantation.
Popular Chinese Departs
A well known and highly respected member of the Chinese community, Lee Tam Tuck, generally known as Ah Tam, left last month for China, for an extended stay. Ah Tam has been a resident of this Territory for 49 years and during that time has acquired sev eral plantations and built up an ex tensive store business.
Some 18 years ago, Ah Tam’s wife died at his plantation at Mala, in New
Ireland, and Ah Tam has now taken her remains to be interred in her nat ive land. Before leaving, Ah Tam disposed of his interests to a syndicate of three of his compatriots, for a sum of about £40,000.
Mr. C. T. Wee, until recently man ager for Ah Tam and one of the syndi cate referred to above, has been ap pointed Honorary Chinese Consul for New Guinea by the Chinese Nationalist Government.
Amateur Theatricals
Thanks to Mr. C. B. Ayris, residents of Rabaul have been treated to another production by the local Amateur Dra matic Society, On this occasion the comedy, “Aren’t We All?” by Frederick Lonsdale, was staged. The play selected needs skilful acting and the company are to be congratulated on the good results obtained.
The cast included a number of play ers who were making a first appearance and, although it is appreciated that aspirants should be given a trial, yet many of the audience would have pre ferred in some instances to have seen local favourites who have appeared in previous plays.
The outstanding performances were those of Mr. Ayris, who, as Lord Gren ham, had a part that came naturally to him and to which he was able to do full justice, and Mrs. W. Jenner, who played the part of Lady Frinton admirably.
In the smaller parts the perform ances of Mrs. H. H. Page and Miss Roma Bryant are worthy of special mention. A feature of the production were the really beautiful frocks worn by the ladies, all of which were made locally and which were quite equal to those worn at any metropolitan pro duction. The play was well attended and it is believed was a financial suc cess.
“Tilly of Bloomsbury” is to be Mr.
Ayris’s next production, and it is pleas ing to know that such old and tried favourites as Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Stod dart and our star elocutionist, Mr. Pat Savage, mil be in the cast.
Personal
Mr. E. Chester Gifford, Accountant at the Commonwealth Bank, leaves next month, on the completion of his term at Rabaul. Before returning to Australia Mr. Gifford is making a trip to China by the E. and A. Line. Mr.
Gifford is well-known and popular, partly due to his unfailing courtesy at the Bank and partly to the fame he earned in his able handling of the parts allotted to him in several pro ductions of the local Amateur Dramatic Society.
Mr. R. L. Kennedy, formerly medical officer to the Melanesia Co. Ltd., leaves on the Macdhui. for a holiday in Aus tralia. Mr. Kennedy intends to return to the Territory early next year.