From A Window In

Wau

By “Motley”

ALTHOUGH the hole in the centre of N.G. shillings is to enable natives' to string their wealth around their necks in the absence of pockets, the habit of string “marks” has also been acquired by Europeans. The other day I heard of an out-back miner paying an account amounting to over £l5 in shillings strung in this fashion. Of course, this is carry ing things too far, as no doubt the native said who had to hawk them around, but no one can begrudge an isolated “digger” the simple pleasure of a practical joke. * * * AND speaking of practical jokes reminds me of the “new ’and” who came to work in one of the local stores recently and consigned an order to Edie Creek ’drome; but he wasn’t trying to be funny. The man who can discover a ’drome on the pinnacles of Kaindi will be a saviour indeed to those who pad the track or take a nerve-wrecking ride on a motor truck. * * * SNAKES! Several of them " have been seen—and killed—around Wau lately, no doubt disturbed by the Government grass line in the course of its duties. Rabbie Burns composed “To a Mouse” when suffering pangs of re morse for having broken up a mouse’s happy home with his plough. But I don’t think anyone will write a pretty poem to a python on being awakened from its sleep. One snake measuring 17ft. was killed recently not far from Burns, Phiip & Co’s store and another the following day measuring 12ft. and weighing 18 lbs. near the Wau Freezer. * * * VI/’HILE on the subject of pets, I ** noticed Miss Ela Gofton, popular daughter of Mrs. Stewart, of Wau, with a little orphaned “seacow”—anyway that is how the natives pronounce it. It is a species of ’possum and it had lost its mother at the hands of natives on the search for kai-kai. The “joey” had been spared and presented to Ela who is rear ing it on Glaxo. What a chance for a testimonial! * * * TN front of Wau District Office where * the Australian flag flutters languidlv, reminding passers-by that the sun never sets on the British flag and of such like patriotic slogans, there lies a cool sweep of lawn which sets off the seat of local government handsomely. The native mind, however, apparently does not see kin this light. Having little esthetic sense he regards it from the Viewpoint of utility, and on sunny days police boys can be seen airing their laundry—ready for the next dress inspection no doubt. 5fC VI/’AU has grown by leaps and bounds ’ since the Edie Creek trail of ’26 but it by no means justifies the flattering address appearing on a letter received at Wau recently—4o4b High Street. This is going a bit too far.