New Guinea Notes

From our own correspondent.

Rabaul, June 30.

A NEW tennis court was opened at the New Guinea Club recently by His Honour the Administrator.

Mr. Lionel Pracht, who for some years has been in the East representing the in terests of the N.D.L., has now been ap pointed representative of that company in the Territory of New Guinea.

The Administration is making arrange ments for local native sports to be held at Rabaul on New Year’s Day, when all natives will be able to compete in the pro gramme. Arrangements are also in hand for holding a display of work done in pri mary schools other than European schools, and also an exhibition of native arts and crafts. The exhibition will be held in Rabaul on November 10.

The third session of the Legislative Council of the Territory will be opened on September 24.

Recently the s.s. Duranbah damaged her tail shaft whilst cruising off the mainland coast, and with difficulty made Dogumur anchorage. She was towed into Rabaul by m.v. John Bolton, and repairs were effected quickly on the new slip, at Keravia, near Rabaul.

A number of teas have been held re cently in honour of the approaching mar riage (July 11) of Miss Roma Bryant to the well-known patrol officer of the gold fields area, Mr. Charles Bates.

Letters can now be sent to the goldfields from Rabaul at usual rates, no charge for air-mail service being made. Another pro gressive step by this department is the in auguration of Telegraphic Money Orders.

Amounts, not over £100, can now be radioed between Rabaul and Australia.

Mr. R. A. Laws, of Greenwood and Laws, Ltd., has returned from his holiday in Australia, and will be proceeding to the goldfields by the next Macdhui.

Mr. J. K. Twycross, officer-in-charge of the A.W.A. in this Territory, arrived back from furlough by the Nellore recently, with his wife and family.

Mr. J. Virtue, of B.P.’s head office, is making a tour of inspection of the groups, and is greatly interested in introducing a new type of drier, which has been found most successful in Papua. By means of curing copra in these driers it is estimated that £2 a ton can be obtained above present prices. The initial cost of the driers is said to be in the vicinity of £70 and it has a drying capacity of 20 tons per month.

An improved product seems to be the only salvation for the copra-man these days.

Mr. Gordon Thomas, our local editor and publicist, journeys to the goldfields by the Macdhui on July 10 and plans to visit many of the mining centres—flying to Port Moresby, where he will join the Montoro to return to Rabaul.

With the arrival of the Montoro on July 1 there returned from the Wewak and Aitape, where gold prospecting has been carried out lately with enthusiasm, Messrs.

Vic. Pennefather, E. Granter and D.

Spence. They report a high quality gold but, so far, it has not been discovered in payable quantities.

A number of birds-of-paradise have been brought into Rabaul from the mainland— mostly from the Einschhafen area—and placed in the newly-constructed aviary in the Botanic Gardens. It is hoped that this collection of birds may eventually become one of the main attractions to tourists.

A quiet wedding was celebrated in Ra baul Church of England on June 2, when the Rev. H. Thompson united in marriage Miss Thelma Robins, only daughter of Mrs.

E. P. Holmes and the late Mr. W. G.

Robins, to Mr. Norbert White, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. White, of Sydney.

The B.P. Club ball, held on May 25, was one of the most successful balls of the sea son. It was here that Chinese “boy” wait ers were introduced and proved so suc cessful that many residents are seriously contemplating the possibility of employ ing these youths in their homes. Once again Rabaul dancers were pleased to hear the strains of an orchestra, which for so long had been silent. Thanks to Mrs.

Bryan Phibbs, Miss Hannah Rundnagel and Mr. Les. Clark, jazz of the uncanned variety was dispensed. The B.P. Club com mittee is to be congratulated.

Another popular ball, though not so largely attended, was that of the Rabaul Bachelors. It was held in the Regent Theatre and was of a more exclusive na ture. The decorations, consisting of black and white cats on the Soutar pattern, were splendidly carried out, and all enjoyed themselves to the fullest possible extent.

Mr. Jackman and party, making scenic films for Warner Bros., of Hollywood, were through passengers, on the s.s. Van Rees recently. While here Mr. Jackman added to his collection of films which we under stand are to be included in the Warner Bros, library.

Mr. B. B. Perriman, M.L.C., who is

manager in the Territory for Messrs. W. R.

Carpenter & Co., has departed on the s.s.

Tanda for a holiday trip to Australia and the East.