Uncertificated Native
p. 37 · Read in the full issue
Masters A Maritime Farce in Papua
Letter to the Editor AN article of interest to most Papuan residents appeared in “PIM", Aug ust issue. It is pointed out that a native canoe, in the G. and E. Group, must be seaworthy in every respect; properly equipped with sails, paddles, steer-oar, and other serviceable gear; must ship sufficient experienced seamen, one an experienced navigator; and that ample supplies of food and water are to be carried. A certificate to this effect must be obtained from the village head man, before a canoe is permitted to sail.
In Port Moresby, the authorities are most careful to have all commercial ves sels (over 10 tons register) surveyed annually. The surveyor, a most compe tent officer, sees that the vessel is sound and complies with the Navigation Act regarding life-saving gear, etc. On the surveyor reporting all in order, a sea going certificate is issued, signed by the Treasurer.
Now comes the comic-opera part of the business. After all the cost of slip ping, surveying, etc., the vessel is allowed to proceed to sea with a native in charge.
All shipping people are aware that a ves sel proceeding to sea without a certifi cated master in charge, is unseaworthy.
At time of writing only one vessel Is commanded by a European Master (cer tificated).
The Marine Board of Papua has been granting Coasting Master’s Certificates to Europeans for a number of years.
These men are examined by a master mariner, and must pay a fee of £2/10/for each certificate. One wonders why a European must prove his ability, and be duly licensed before commanding, when a native may clear a 60-tons schooner on the Shipping Master’s per mission.
From personal experience, I am able to state that not one of these natives (in charge of vessels) knows the “rules of the road”, and as for navigation— “nuff sed”. We older hands remember the old Administration cry—“Papua for the Papuans”. But this is going too far.
European women and children are com pelled to travel on these coasters and very often they are not accompanied by their lawful protectors. Few planters and traders have forgotten the “Viviri” disaster, when a Resident Magistrate and his four children were lost, as well as a number of natives.
I am, etc.,
“Momokani".
Port Moresby, 26/11/1941.
A gravity meter, which was, until recently, used in connection with the search for oil in Papua, has been pre sented to the University of Sydney by the Vacuum Oil Company Pty. Ltd. This costly and delicate instrument is used for determining variations in the inten sity of gravity at different points in the earth’s surface, and these variations are a helpful guide as to what may lie below.
Only 24 gravity meters of the type con cerned have ever been built. They were developed especially for oil exploration work—in which a large number of ex ceedingly scientific instruments are now used —and are capable of measuring variations in the force of gravity with an accuracy of 1 part in 10 million!