New Guinea Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Nov. 13.

The old-time Ah Ghee’s Hotel is once again open to the public. Mr. E. C.

Monck, previously in Western Australia and later at Wau, has taken over the license, and the hotel resounds once again to song and laughter. Its new name is the Cosmopolitan.

Mr. Gilbert Renton departed by the Van Rees on September 30, for a short holiday, and to inspect his interests in the Gosford (N.S.W.) district. He expects to return after the festival time in Sydney.

Other passengers by the Van Rees in cluded Mr. Steed, manager of the Com monwealth Bank, and Mrs. Steed. Mr.

Steed’s position as bank manager has been filled by Mr. V. C. S. King, formerly of Ipswich, Qld. Mr. and Mrs. Goyne- Stevens were also South-bound passen gers, together with Mr. and Mrs. C. Nor moyle and Mr. and Miss Hill-Griffiths.

Mr. J. Worssam, of the Vaccum Oil Co. also joined the ship after spending some time in the Morobe goldfields.

Oil Prospectors

Six members of the oil prospecting party under Mr. G. A. V. Stanley, of Oil Search Ltd., passed through Rabaul re cently en route to the Aitape district, where, it is understood, boring operations will be commenced at almost any time now. Mr. J. N. Montgomery was also in the party, after an absence from the Ter ritory for some 13 years, having spent several years in England and Persia.

Mr. J. C. Mullaly, M.L.C., who is in terested in mining matters in the Aitape district, left for that part of the Territory by the last Montoro. A mining expert from the Placer Co. accompanied Mr.

Mullaly with a view to testing out some of the areas along the Mingin River.

Mr. Colin Marr, of the Department of Agriculture, has been on patrol work in New Britain. He has been absent for the past five months, having finished a com plete circuit of the island on foot, visit ing all plantations and native coconut groves. He will leave shortly for the New Ireland district.

Amateur Dramatic Society

A meeting was held on November 12, at the Palms Restaurant, for the purpose of forming a Dramatic and Musical So ciety. Mr. Berkley Ayris is the prime mover in this interest, and he must be

complimented on having aroused so much interest among Rabaul residents as to induce over 40 to attend a formation meeting.

His Honour, Judge Wanliss, was in the chair, and the following officers were elected: Patron, His Honour the Admini strator; President, Mr. J. E. Savage; Vice-presidents, Archdeacon de Voil and Mr. V. C. S. King; Secretary, Miss Joyce Carter: Treasurer, Mr. R. Ollerenshaw; Committee, Mrs. Jenner. Mr. Ayris was appointed Dramatic Director and will se lect cast and productions. It was de cided that the subscription to the society would be one guinea per annum, and that efforts would be made to secure a suitable building for their productions.

After the meeting a musical programme was rendered by several new members.

The New Guinea Club held a race meeting on November 3 at Lakunai. Al though there was not a large attendance some very good racing was witnessed Exile, ridden by Mr. Jack Allen, won the 1¼ mile race from Queen Malka; it was a close race, Exile winning by a neck.

Snipe, with Mr. Roy Smith up came third.

Mr. Tom Goss, who for some time was in hospital at Namanula. has departed by the Van Rees for a holiday in Sydney.

Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Lonergan were South-bound passengers on the last Nel lore. Mr. Lonergan is Chief Clerk of the Central Administration.