New Guinea Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Dec. 18.

IT is officially reported that a European school will be opened at Kavieng about March, 1934.

Mrs. J. MacGregor Dowsett and two children have arrived from Australia, after an extended holiday there. They have joined Mr. Dowsett, who has taken up his residence on a property in the vicinity of the Keravat Demonstration Plantation. He has sold out his business in Rabaul.

The Parents and Citizens’ Association of Rabaul recently arranged for the film ing of “Father’s Son” at the local picture theatre. The proceeds were earmarked for the purchase of prizes for the school children.

Some Prices!

The assessed value of copra for export purposes was £4/13/1 for the month of November.

Rice was recently purchased by the Administration by tender at £8/8/9 per ton c.i.f. and e, Rabaul; preserved meat at 4/4½ per doz.; and benzine at 16/4 per case, less 2½ per cent, discount.

Weddings.

The wedding of Miss Gladys Mary Field, of Ferny Grove, Brisbane, to Mr. Ronald Harrison Forsyth, of Balgowlah, Sydney, was celebrated at St. George’s Church, Rabaul, on November 15. After the cere mony a reception was held at the resi dence of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Froggatt.

The Bishton-Maunsell wedding was a notable local affair. Miss Irene Maun sell, of Brisbane, was married to Mr.

Edward Bishton, of the A.W.A. staff at Rabaul, at St. Francis Xavier, by Rev.

Father Madigan, on November 14, at 7 p.m. Miss Marjorie Thomas acted as bridesmaid, and Mr. Len Coleman was best man. A sumptuous wedding break fast was held at the Palms Restaurant after the ceremony, when Mrs. H. Dodd (sister of the bride) acted as hostess.

Native Entertainment.

An exceptionally good “sing-sing” was held at Nodup recently in the vicinity of the Native School, where Mr. J. H. L.

Waterhouse, F.R.G.S., is in charge. A number of Europeans attended, including the Administrator, who inspected the school-children and had a conference with the local chiefs.

An Ancient Ring.

The wedding of Miss Helen McTurk Stevens, of Sydney, and Mr. Ronald N.

Wayne, of the Methodist Mission staff, was celebrated at Vunairima on Novem ber 18. The service was carried out by the Rev. J. H. Margetts. The bride wore the wedding ring of one of her ancestors which was over 200 years old.

Rabaul Airways.

Mr. Charles Gatenby, the pilot-mechanic who accompanied the ’plane VH-UNY on its trip up from Sydney with Pilot Dun can, has returned south for the purpose of selecting another ’plane for service with the Rabaul Airways Syndicate. This craft, we understand, will be brought up by steamer,

Tennis Champions.

A tennis dance was held at the Rabaul Hotel on November 23 when the Adminis trator’s Cups and other trophies were presented. The presentations were made by Mrs. Townsend, the wife of Mr Orton Townsend, O.B. E., M.L.C., the Administration Treasurer. The ladies’ singles

championship was won by Miss Burston, and the gentlemen’s by Mr. Abraham, who is the best all-round sportsman in the district, despite his approach to the middle-age period. Runners-up were Mrs.

Anderson and Mr. Garth Walker. The men’s doubles handicap was won by Messrs. Cunningham and Blanden, and the ladies’ doubles by Misses P. Bryant and Refshauge. The mixed doubles tropfiy was collected by Mrs. Thornthwaite and Mr. O. Townsend.

Renovations.

The painters are hard at work in Rabaul now. Administration buildings are being renovated and given a new coat of paint —not before it was badly needed. The Legislative Council has taken on quite a resplendent appearance—all in readiness for the February session when great things are expected to be done.

Popular Padre.

Rev. T. J. Gibson, who has been our Church of England Padre for some time, left on the s.s. Van Rees on November 28 for Tasmania. He was a very popular Padre and will be missed by his many friends. Rev. H. Thompson, recently stationed in Papua, has arrived for his relief.

There was a quiet wedding celebrated at St. George’s Church on November 22, when Miss Edith Eileen Rogers was mar ried to Mr. Garth Walker, of the Central Administration staff. Miss Rogers arrived by the Nankin from South. The recep tion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. Britten and the happy couple spent their honeymoon at Toma.

Night Bowling.

Bowling enthusiasts have held a meet ing recently and it was decided that steps should be taken to complete the rinks already laid down and suggestions were made to enable night bowling to be car ried on. Mr. T. Ellis, of the Lands De partment, is the enthusiastic leader in this particular recreation.

Sepik Recruits.

Mr. C. C. Judd, formerly with the Melanesia Company and later with Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co., has recently made a recruiting trip to the Sepik River district where he had good luck in ob taining a fine line of labourers. It is his intention to operate on the goldfields with his line of “boys.”

New Sepik Station.

A new government station is being started on the Sepik River, some forty miles from the mouth. This will do away with the old Marieberg station. The name of the new site is Angoram, and was used during the German days as a depot.

Seeking Murderers.

A. D. O. Robinson, who returned from furlough recently, has been despatched to the Nakanai area where a patrol is work ing in order to apprehend some elusive murderers of beach natives.

Gold Exports,

The amount of bullion exported from the goldfields for the month of October amounted to 22,943 oz., and was valued at £123,383 (Australian currency).