Port Moresby Busy.

Visits of “Mariposa” and “Stella Polaris.”

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, March 1.

Approximately 50,000 tons of ship ping is entering Port Moresby this week —the “Montoro,” “Macdhui,”

“Le Maire,” “Pentyne,” and the new Matson liner “Mariposa.”

This last vessel which, is on a Pacific cruise, is causing some considerable at tention. She has on board between 250 and 300 passengers, who are filled with pleasant anticipations. Port Moresby has been so advertised lately that there seems to be a general desire that it should be included in the ports of call.

During her short stay, the usual native dance has been arranged, also visits to the mountains and Rona Palls.

The steamer “Pentyne, which left for the East and European ports on March 1, shipped 750 tons of copra. This had accumulated owing to the delay in shipping caused by the stranding of the “Newton Elm” some time ago.

The “Stella Polaris” arrived at Port Moresby, on her Pacific cruise on Feb ruary 20 and left after a very short visit. Owing to bad weather, she was unable to make port until 7 o’clock in the evening and sailed at 10 o’clock the same night. The tourists visited the parade ground and there, in the moon light, witnessed a native dance in a romantic setting of coconut palms and flaring torches —an exotic effect, which was distinctly pleasing.

The “Montoro” and “Macdhui” are on their usual runs from Sydney to Rabaul, via Port Moresby, and the “Le Maire” is on her three months’ trip from the Netherland Islands to Noumea,