Rabaul News

From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, January 10.

WEDDINGS have been popular of late. Mr.

Basil Challis, of the Department of Agri culture, was married on December 24 to Miss Gwen Bowen. On the same day Mr. Frank Venning, of the Government Stores Department, Rabaul, was married to Miss Norma Cassel, the ceremony being performed in the Church of Eng land by Archdeacon de Voil. Then on January 4 Mr. Keith Chambers, youngest son of Rev. W.

J. Chambers, of Rewa, Fiji, was married to Miss Jean Herford-Smith, of Croydon, N.S.W., and Mr. J. P. L. Burke took as his bride Miss Annie Hughes, of Cremorne. The latter ceremony was performed in the Roman Catholic Church by Rev.

Father Madigan.

The Nellore on December 24 took away from Rabaul one of its oldest Government officials in the person of Mr. E. Featherstone Phibbs, who has occupied the position of Chief Collector of Customs in the Territory since before the incep tion of Civil Administration in 1921. “Teddy”

Phibbs arrived in the Territory in 1915 with the A.N. and M.E. Forces. He was a most popular official and was an active member of many of the sporting and social organisations in the town.

Mr. Phibbs had reached retiring age.

Mrs. Jessie Newport, an ' old resident of the Territory, and widow of the late Major Newport, one-time N.G. Director of Agriculture, departed on December 24 for the East and India, where she will visit relatives. Mrs. Newport was the recipient of many farewell gifts and messages, and left with the good wishes of everyone.

Mr. Leslie Clark has resigned his office as honorary secretary of the Rabaul Amateur Turf Club. The position has been taken over by Mr. J. B. Cruise, a well-known racing enthusiast.

A benefit concert was held on January 10 for

Major Berkely Ayris, who recently retired from the N.G. Public Service. Major Ayris has been a tower of strength in the formation of the Rabaul Dramatic and Musical Society and other social and sporting organisations, and his depar ture from Rabaul will mean a decided loss to the community. The concert was arranged by the Society, with Mrs. Backhouse in charge of the programme. A testimonial fund was also opened as a mark of appreciation of the work which the Major had done during his eight years in the Territory. It is understood that he will proceed to the goldfields to take up an appoint ment. Rabaul’s loss will be Wau’s gain.

“Listening-in” sets obtained by local residents show that reception is very satisfactory. Knob twisters, however, complain that VK3LR has a disconcerting booming sound on its wave-length.

At the annual school break-up, held on Decem ber 13, the head teacher, Mr. R. W. Crouch, stated that the attendance average for 1935 had been much better than the previous year. Mr.

Crouch mentioned the necessity for a more liberal system in connection with the granting of scholar ships for pupils in the Territory. At present for all pupils domiciled in New Guinea there is only one bursary available each year, the value of which is £34, and it is deemed to be inadequate.

As a result of the Administrator’s visit to the Sepik River district it is understood that the “controlled areas” there will be extended.