Polynesian Club

SOME well-known Island residents have been entertained in Sydney recently by the Polynesian Club.

On February 18, Mrs. W. G. Bagnall, wife of the former treasurer of Tonga, was guest of honour at a Tonga “faikava”.

Mr. Richard Hahn, of Tonga, was the matapule in charge of the ceremony, and Misses Dora Buffett and Cora Young, of Norfolk Island, prepared the kava.

In addition to Mrs. Bagnall, kava was served to Mr. R. W. Robson, editor of ‘PIM’'; Mrs. R. B. Croudace, of Western Samoa; Mr. Noel Tabari, of the Free French Naval Forces in the Pacific; and M. Georges Champion, the New Cale donian boxer. A very charming and ap propriate speech, in English and Tongan, was made by Mrs. Bagnall.

Mr. George Ludwig Kramer was found dead at Surprise Creek, New Guinea, on January 15, with a gunshot wound in the head. Mr. Kramer had been in the Territory for about 30 years. He was connected with H. R. Wahlen and Co. for some years, and later was engaged in contract planting for the HSAG, in the Bougainville district until he was expropriated in 1921. Mr. Kramer was in partnership with Mr. Alex. Burrows for a time, and on the latter’s death, he went to the Morobe Goldfields.

Commander R, C. Garsia, formerly Administrator of Nauru, is now a captain in the Royal Australian Navy. Soon after the outbreak of hostilities he rejoined the Navy, and has been on active service ever since. On their retirement from Nauru, Commander and Mrs. Garsia made their home in Canberra. While on the island, the then Administrator was a forthright advocate of steps being taken to defend the valuable equipment there, in the event of an attack by raiders. Recent developments proved that he was right.

A snapshot at the Sydney Polynesian Club’s Kava ceremony on February 18, when Mrs. W.

G. Bagnall, of Nukualofa, was guest of honour, and Mr. R. Hahn (centre of picture), director of ceremony. (Photo, by courtesy of “Daily Telegraph.”)