What, No Radio?

1HAVE no wireless here and fancy that this is now a record, writes a planter friend in Eastern Papua. Recently I went recruiting and my first port of call was Sebulugumbwa, in the Dobu Pas sage, where I listened in to “The Tests”.

I next called at the more remote Sewa taitai (where Mr. Fletcher is manager) and here, too. the wireless was beefing out the runs. From there I went to Dawada, thinking here, at least. I would be away from the pest (or blessing?) as there was no European for miles and miles: but I was wrong. Towards sundown along blew “Laurie” Henderson in the “Tierio” and he invited me aboard for dinner (fresh, meat from Samarai via Misima) and sure enough his wireless was holding the floor!

This time, however, it was not the Tests.

A Church service from Brisbane was com

ing over the air and in the silence of that sheltered anchorage it was extraordinarily clear. So much so, that I was thrown into a momentary panic when “Laurie” nudged me with his elbow and whispered hoarsely “Got your collection ready?”

We then fell to speculating as to how many of the clergyman’s congregation on Pacific outstations were punctuating hh sermon with, grave and dignified swigs at “ —’s” Export Lager!

Mr. H. J. Grant, an executive of Islands Exploration Cos., arrived in Papua in Aug ust from Melbourne to visit his Company’s interests in the west. He later went over to New Guinea to spend some time at Madang.

Mr. John W. Duggan. a young geolo gist, left Sydney for Port Moresby, Papua by the “Tasman” on August 24. to join the staff o f Oil Search, Ltd.

Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Clark, of Rabaul, New Guinea, arrived in Sydney by the “Neptuna” on August 25 for several months’ holiday. Mr. Clark is a well known contractor and builder in Rabaul.