Sydney

Polynesian Club

Entertains

War Brings Many Islanders to Sydney

THE Polynesian Club, 250 George Street, Sydney, have had an influx of interesting visitors to their “open house” Tuesday evenings during January.

A visitor, who had been in the news lately, was Lieutenant Bruno Reymond, who came along with his sister, Mrs.

Queenie Wills. Both hail from Butari tari, Gilbert Islands. Lieutenant Rey mond had just returned from the Gil berts, where he had landed with the US Forces when they took Butaritari. (“PIM,” 17/1/44). He was able to locate his par ents, still alive after long imprisonment at the hands of the Japs. Mr. and Mrs.

Reymond, Sr., are now safe with their family in Suva, Fiji.

Mrs. Wills danced “fa’a Samoa” with all her well-remembered charm and grace.

Norfolk Island visitors were Mrs.

Charles Fysh—now returned to her island home; Mrs. Mapletoft, lately of BSI; Madame Jocteur, wife of Lieutenant J.

Jocteur, of the New Hebrides Defence Forces. Freddy Quintal and other NI soldiers were also present.

A Maori member of the Ngapuhi Tribe, North Auckland. ACI Chris Court, on leave from an RAAF station somewhere in Australia, made a return visit. Three others members of the same tribe, John Berghan (cousin of the club’s matron, Mrs. Katarina Nehua Darley). William Topia and James Ritete, called in on their way home to New Zealand from prison camp in Germany. They were taken prisoner during the campaign in Greece and were able to hearten many Maori members with news of missing friends and relatives, hitherto regarded

as dead, but now known to be well and alive in Germany, and elsewhere.

Hawaiian visitors, on leave from the US Forces, were Corporals Benny Kealoha (of the famous swimming family) and Greg Mauiola.