N. Guinea Notes

Flag Saluted Daily in Rabaul

From Our Own Correspondent Rabaul, May 30.

Rabaul now has a Central Square, re plete with flag-staff, and the colours are saluted every day at sunset by the native police guard. “Retreat” is sounded by native buglers, and the whole ceremony is a fitting illustration of that amount of ceremonial so essential in a black country.

Historic Tunnel Gone.

The Ratavul Tunnel, an historic spot during the first days of the war here, is now no more, and the road leading to the North Coast passes through what might very aptly be called “Griffiths’ Cutting”; for it was the result of General Griffith’s instructions that the tunnel was cut away.

It was ever a dangerous portion of the road, on account of the falling debris after earth tremors.

Combating Pests.

The Department of Agriculture has ar ranged for the transfer of some of the sexava parasites, which have now become firmly established in the Manus district, to the New Hanover district where the sexava pest is doing considerable damage.

The only district not affected by this pest in the Territory is that of Buka and Bou gainville. These areas have now been closed against the importation of any plants from any other parts of the Ter ritory, except with the permission of the Chief Quarantine Officer.

Gold in Aitape Region.

Latest reports from the Wewak district, where gold was reported to have been found, state that prospectors are recover ing from a quarter to half-an-ounce per day. This is not considered payable.

Several of the prospectors have proceeded up the Yuat River in search of better areas. The Yuat is a tributary of the Sepik.

Popular Administrator.

Rumour is again busy appointing our present Administrator’s successor. It Is with the greatest regret we learned that General Griffiths is desirous of being re lieved before his term is completed, and his term is completed, and his departure, before June, 1935, is going to make a marked difference to the Territory. With out a doubt this is an exceedingly im portant period of the country’s existence, and, with the departure of one who has accomplished so much, and has proved his ability in getting down to fundamen tals, and the advent of a new and pos sibly inexperienced man, is a dangerous step for the territory. Everyone here hopes that it may be found possible for General Griffiths to remain at his post— at least, until the end of this year.

Personal Notes.

Miss H. E. Bray, who has been on the staff of the Rabaul branch of Messrs.

Burns, Philp and Co., for a number of years, was married on May 15th to Mr.

W. F. Gill, B.P. Inspector for New Guinea and Papua.

Miss Ivy Pearce, who recently arrived from Sydney, was married to Mr. F. C.

Dewey, of the local B.P. staff, on May 9th.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev.

Father Madigan at the Catholic Church, Rabaul.

The annual vestry meeting of the Church of England elected the following

officers: Vicar’s Warden, Mr. J. S. Sym ington; People’s Wardens, Messrs. F. O.

Greenwood and P. O. Moody; Secretary and Treasurer (pro-tem), Mr. C. D.

Meares; Councillors, Messrs. R. Youlden, C. J. Gascoigne, Ryan, J. L. Street, T.

Ellis, C. Normoyle, B. G. Challis, and Mesdames Symington and Ryan.

A memorial service was held in the Methodist Church, Rabaul, on Sundav evening, May 13, in memory of Rev. W.

H. Cox, who recently died in Sydney.

Rev. F. G. Lewis surveyed in retrospect the very excellent work performed by Mr.

Cox during his thirty-odd years in New Guinea, during which time he occupied for many years the position of Chairman of the New Britain District. Rev. F. G.

Lewis has been appointed chairman to succeed the late Rev. W. H. Cox.

Sister Auguste Hertzer, New Guinea’s pioneer nursing sister, who arrived in the Territory in 1891, died recently at her home at Palaupai, near Raluana, New Britain. The “Schwester,” who previous to her coming to New Guinea had spent some years in Africa as a German gov ernment nurse, of the Rothes Kreuz order, was seventy-nine years of age and had done great work in the pioneering days. She was one of the medical staff who planned the Rabaul town site and submitted schemes for the draining of the immense swamp which existed here in the early days. Prior to that, she was stationed at Madang and Finschafen.

Mrs. H. A. Luxmoore, who for a number of years has been manageress at the Palms Restaurant, has now taken over the management of the Rabaul Hotel. Mrs. Gallagher has been ap pointed manageress of the Palms. Mr.

Stephenson, previously at the Hotel, we understand, intends leaving for South in the near future.

Mrs. B. B. Perriman, after numerous farewell parties tendered her by her

many friends, departed on the ss Nel lore on May 15. Mr. Perriman, M L.C will leave for Australia by a later vessel, and the two then expect to make an ex tensive tour of the East, before returning to their home in Rabaul.

Mr. A. R. McComb, of the Civil Avia tion branch of the Commonwealth De fence Department, is visiting the Terri tory on official business. Mr. M. B. Allen of the same department, we understand! will be stationed in New Guinea as a Dis trict Superintendent of the Civil Avia tion branch. This will be a great saving of time in dealing with business relating to aerial matters, as at present all busi ness must be referred to Melbourne or Canberra.