Traffic Laws In Tulagi

(Contributed) TULAGI, April *25.

TNFLUENCED no doubt by the appall ■*" ing number of road accidents in less civilised countries, our Solomon Islands authorities have seen fit to introduce the first road-traffic regulations.

This is a result of the inflow of cheap Japanese bicycles, to which the natives have taken as a duckling takes to a pond.

But, of course, they are not yet expert in the management and repair of such con traptions, and it is a common sight these days in Tulagi to see natives by the road side wearing expressions of profound puzzlement and wrestling with twisted handle-bars, askew wheels, blow-outs, and what not.

Notices have been posted to the effect that: — (1) Cyclists must ride slowly. (As though Tulagi roads would allow of any thing else!) (2) They must ring bells vigorously on approaching pedestrians. (And thus in vite the temptation to push them over into the harbour on the one side, or drains on the other!)

(3) They must pass pedestrians on the left side. (On what is left of the road after the pedestrian has his needs!) (4) They must dismount before pass ing. (To a pedestrian this is priceless!

Road traffic authorities in Australia and England please copy and apply to motor ists!) (5) They must carry lights and ring bells on approaching bends and cross roads. (A master stroke of economy in bringing about much needed street light ing; but in view of the twists and turns the bicycle-bell babel!) What is to happen when we take the next step, to motor-bikes, is too awful to contemplate.

Mrs. Duncan Irvine, wife of the man ager of Gili Gili Plantation, which is 30 miles from Samarai, Eastern Papua, arrived in Sydney by the Macdhui on May 22 on a holiday visit to Melbourne.

Mr. R. R. Pugh, who for 12 years was N.S.W. manager of the Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd., has been appointed general manager at the Co’s head office in Melbourne. Before he entered commer cial life, he was for some time in the Solomon Islands as treasurer and collec tor of customs.