Why Misima Prayed!

From a Special Correspondent

Misima Is., July 14.

WHEN the “Laurabada" came into Bwagaoia harbour with the Amal gamation Committee, last month, most of the European population waited grimly on the shore, and openly prayed that the distinguished visitors, in land ing. would fall from the Government wharf into really wet water.

The Committee, being cautious and good jumpers, got safely ashore, to the blasphemous disappointment of our com munity.

Few places in Papua produce more solid revenue than Misima: yet. for two years, our wharf (the channel of all our communication with the world outside) has been literally falling to pieces. The

Government, at one time, bought new piles, and landed them beside the crumb ling wharf. They are still lying there.

Tenders were called for the erection of a new wharf: but no contract was let.

Then is was reported that men were coming from Australia to do the work by day labour: but there is no sign of them yet.

Maybe, when all the mines are work ed out. and Misima deserted, the work will start.

Monsieur Laffete, well-known resident of New Caledonia, died recently at Nou ville where he had been living "in retire ment. He was 85 years old.

Mr. C. E. Ahrens, B.Sc., Agr., of the Methodist Mission’s agricultural station at Navuso. has had a breakdown in health and has left Fiji for New Zealand.