Lady

Australians Help German Lady Interesting Incident in Rabaul

There was international significance in an event in Rabaul on November 8.

All Rabaul rallied to support a bene fit performance of the Dramatic So ciety, to assist a highly respected resid ent. Miss von Ziegler, who settled there over 20 years ago, and who suffered se vere losses in the eruption. A financial triumph was scored by the president (Mrs. Clive Backhouse) and an artistic triumph by the producer (Mr J E Savage).

A substantial sum is available for the beneficiary. £lO was added to the sum by the German Consulate: and the N G Administration granted Miss von Ziegler a pension of £52 per annum.

Mr G. Furter, pioneer German mer chant in New Guinea, in returning thanks on behalf of Miss von Ziegler said: “This is a true manifestation of the first and foremost quality of the Australian character: The spirit of help and kindness towards those who have met with misfortune such as our Frau lein has suffered. There is always a spontaneous response to any such appeal —there is no difference if the one in need is <pne of your own kith and kin or not.

This has profoundly and deeply stirred Fraulein von Ziegler’s heart, and also the hearts of her countrymen, and this in spite of the anxious times we all went through such a short while ago, with its fears and horrible forebodings.

Let me assure you all of our deepest gratitude. We shall make known to night’s events far and wide, and I pray that this news will be one more stepping stone towards a lasting friendship and understanding between our two great na tions”.