Otranto At Rabaul

Native Dances Delight Tourists

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, June 30.

THE Orient liner “Otranto” made the first tourist trip of any steamer to Rabaul on June 14. There were over 450 tourists on board.

Arrangements were made by a local en tertainment committee for the visitors to motor to the many points of interest and scenic beauty in the neighbourhood of Rabaul and Kokopo. These trips occupied the morning, while in the afternoon the Rabaul Amateur Turf Club arranged a four-event race meeting, and in conjunc tion with the Administration and the local firm of Burns, Philp, staged a very fine series of native dances. Especially were the dances from the mainland of New Guinea of interest to the tourists. Some of the head-dresses, bedecked with stream ing birds-of-paradise plumes, were highly valued and aroused admiring comments.

In the evening, dances were arranged at Kokopo Hotel and the two popular dancing palaces in town.

There was a decided absence of native hawkers on the streets, and native car drivers were forbidden from receiving tips and gratuities from visitors.

The vessel left at noon the following day for Sydney direct.

The commander of the “Otranto” wrote formally to the Administrator, General Griffiths, expressing “heartfelt appreciation of the kindness and courtesy extended by yourself and the residents of Rabaul. No efforts have been spared in making our stay extremely enjoyable, and those who had the privilege of witnessing the ‘Sing Sing’ dance will always remember that most interesting and unique spectacle,”