South Sea Sundowner
pp. 37-38 · Read in the full issue
FROM tall smoke-belching factories, or from the tiring loom, Come city folk, like frightened shadows, in the purple gloom; Whilst here, behind a paling fence, I’m dreamin’ of old times, Of South Seas, in my rovin’ youth; of many loves and climes.
With smirks these neighbours hear my yarns. Their talk is not for me!
What could they ken of strange wild days on many a far-off sea?
They never sought that “mystery star,’’ or creak of a jib-boom; I dis-remember things like that—till white magnolias bloom.
Then comes the hint of Islands, where the great white blossoms blow The scent of Hainese’s lei, where little fireflies glow; And Tepo, from Samoa, comes with haunting memory, too, (And those days, out from Tonga, when we cussed a missing crew).
A Sari seems to flutter-by, with trill of silver beads, As graceful Munisami walked, a flower among the weeds.
Then Hobart Town, that felt like home, and every pretty lass, Seemed fair to make a bonny wife—but one let those moods pass.
This night-wind’s like a chanty, sailing out from Cooktown Bay; It’s warmish, like Levuka nights, when - copra came our way.
This deck-chair takes me down the years, away from age and gloom, To sail the Islands seas again, when white magnolias bloom.
Alice Allen Innes.
Roy MacGregor, of Madang, TNG, has been spending a few weeks’ leave in Aus tralia. He returns north next week.
Mr. Harry Luttrell Morton died in Sydney recently. He was described by Sydney newspapers as having been one of the - few men associated with the dis covery of gold in Fiji and was alleged to have pegged the Emperor Mine.
Lieutenant P, A. Tuckey, a member of an infantry battalion of the AIF, was killed in fighting in the Sepik River - country in December, 1944. He came from New Guinea before the war, and enlisted in Australia for special service in the Territory.