Kokop O, N.G.

Tent Town At

Aftermath of the Eruptions

THE “great trek’’ from Rabaul on Sunday, May 30, will never be for gotten.

Officials were helped by Europeans and natives in evacuating hospital patients first. Then motor cars and lorries fol lowed down the road to Nordup. White people, Chinese, and several thousand natives marched to the wharf, and in an orderly manner embarked in rowing boats and small ships. All were aboard by 7 p.m., and though the ships rolled dangerously, they duly reached Kokopo.

The Vunapope Mission at Kokopo, which expected to receive a small detach ment, had to receive a vast crowd; and schooners were bringing still more re fugees, including 100 from the north coast. Hospital patients were taken to the mission hospital, whites were billeted in the houses; Chinese and natives were concentrated in special areas. All food was commandeered and doled out in rations.

Everyone accepted the situation with laughter and joked, even though the whites had to go unshaved, and to wear their dusty and muddy clothing.

Altogether, on May 30 and 31, some 8,000 persons were landed at Kokopo— mostly from vessels which had to lie nearly a mile from the shore.

They were simply a jumble of dis tressed people—no spare clothing or com forts or conveniences, and little food a*d shelter. But the spirit of goodfellowship and co-operation prevailed, and soon social organisation was created and an orderly little town was established.

The first care of the Europeans were their women and children, and the in mates of the Rabaul hospitals. They re ceived hospitality, almost beyond des cription, from the missionaries at and near Kokopo, and from the planters and; residents of the district. Their thanks especially are due to Bishop Vesters and his staff, at the Sacred Heart Mission at Vunapope. This mission, at first, cared foi about 600 people, of all classes.

One of the most remarkable, and yet pathetic, features of this stranded army was the dourness and courage shown by the women (said one reporter). From daylight to dark they operated canteens, feeding the tired workers. Housewives cooked and fed as many as 20 or 30 per sons staying in their homes, and others turned their hands to jobs to which they were not accustomed.

Asiatics and natives at Kokopo were placed in separate camps, away from Europeans. They were watched closely by the health authorities and every pre caution taken to prevent any outbreak of disease.

District-officer Waugh, assisted by Mr.

McMullen, A.D.0., and Dr Backhouse was in charge at Kokopo. Helped willingly by

thb European meii and women, he quickly brought order out of chaos. But, for a day or two, until supplies came forward from Rabaul, it was simply a matter of making the best of things. The Chinese and native camps, at first, were simpiy a bivouac. But it was surprising to note how quickly feeding, cleaning and sani tation were placed upon an ordered basis.

Writing on June 3, Mr. Dawes, special Telegraph correspondent, said: “Kokopo gives the impression of mar ket day at a happy seaport town.

“If one turns one’s back on the three craters, from which huge clouds of smoke are continually belching five and seven miles away, one sees hundreds of Europeans, Asiatics, and natives hurry ing on important business or chatting gaily.

“Motor cars and lorries dash backwards and forwards, while natives unload

ned foods, cooking utensils, suitcases, etc.

from schooners.”

The arrival of supplies and equipment by the MaTaita simplified the Kokopo problem.

With \ ulcan and Matupi volcanoes still belching forth intermittent clouds of smoke and steam, the Malaita arrived at Blanche Bay on June 6. and anchored oft the Kokopo refugees’ camp, finishing her 1400-mile non-stop dash from Bris bane.

Administration officials immediately took charge of emergency food supplies and medical comforts. The cargo was landed at Ralum. 2\ miles from Kokopo, by lighters.

Water was conserved as much as pos sible.

Many refugees had been sleeping on the floors of private homes, and in every conceivable type of shelter. On June 6, many of them were given tents to house eight people, and a canvas town soon appeared.

By the middle of June, Kokopo had developed into a busy little town. Busi nesses had been opened up by the people who had similar interests in Rabaul, and trading generally had been fairlv brisk.

Both the Commonwealth and New South Wales banks had established branches in the town.

It was reported on June 15; A daily schooner service between Ko kopo and Rabaul has been established by W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., and Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd., and many wor kers who are employed in Rabaul return m a ,fv 0 mH 0 “ Ch night ' Kokopo now has many little canvas towns,” and food can be obtained from the stores, but fresh meat is not plentiful. The daily schooner service should relieve this difficulty.

Mrs. Theo Greaves, formerly of Suva, who also spent some time in Tahiti, is now settled at Walsingham Terrace, Hove, Sussex, where her young son is at a preparatory school nearby.

Mr. F. C. Clapcott, a former member oi the Fijian Legislative Council, who spent some months in Sydney, left for his home in Fiji recently. Mr. Clapcott has been a well-known sugar planter in Fiji for many years.