Towards Recovery

Samarai Area Struggling Towards Recovery

From Our Own Correspondent

Samarai, July 16.

THE almost imperceptible movement of the re-birth of Samarai is gaining momentum. The island is cleaner and the wharf is being patched up. It is still a long way before the promises of Mr. Ward will be realised, however.

I heard recently two men talking. No. 1: “Have you a lathe at your place?”

No. 2; “Yes, but it has been ANGAU’D, and is very little good now!”

Quite a lot of the boats have also been ANGAU’D and the results can be seen in the local ships’ graveyard.

Returned PIB have caused a stir in the Fife Bay district. One has set him self un as king, and the Government Is now investigating his claims. The result will be interesting.

Another labour problem has arisen.

Pre-war, natives usually followed the one type of work, and fathers taught sons to follow on. Now, owing to the long period of the war, most of the trained natives —such as mining boys and rubber tap pers—are too old to work and the younger ones will have to be completely trained.

More expenses for the wicked exploiter of the natives are in view! So far, there is no rush of labour in this district and the costs are rising for foodstuffs.

Residents returning to Samarai still have to find their own accommodation on arrival. The position is grim. One lady has set up a boarding-house, but. the cost of staying there is around £2O per month, so returnees, after a few meals there, are seen making the best of the available buildings and doing most of their own work. As the shipping ser vice locally has been awful, up to date, some of the returnees have spent up to six weeks in Samarai waiting for trans port. The position is improving now. as Army releases some of the larger boats for the coastal trade.

Mr. Skelley, of BP’s, Samarai, returned on the “Muliama,” and moved from the boat to hospital with a bad leg. He will soon be gracing the waterfront again.

“Scotty” Buchanan and Mr. Dermott- Smith are on their tn At the moment, there are three men from War Damage doing their best to assess the damage to the mines at Mis- Ima. The job is a big one, as floods and neglect have caused terrific damage.