Fire Destroys Polynesian
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Club Property In Sydney
AFTER continuous service through the war years; giving concerts for the Forces in Australia and keeping open-house for all Polynesian fighting men, and women too, the Polynesian Club of Sydney was recently renovated and made absolutely new. Then Fate inter vened and fire broke out in rooms below the Club, and the whole building was gutted.
Many valuable articles were destroyed; tapa cloths, carved wooden articles. The ancient kava bowl from Wallis Island was reduced to cinders; the piano destroyed.
Most of the Club’s fine new collection of Island “titi” and “piupiu,” newly arrived from Samoa and New Zealand, was destroyed.
Owing to its dangerous condition, the building had to be evacuated. One article which members treasured greatly was saved, however, somewhat scorched, it is true, but still legible—the visitors’ auto graph book. Even if the Club room has ceased to exist —memory still lives in these pages—The Maori Battalion, The Free French “Battalion du Pacifique,” many who have left their bones whitening the sands of Libya,many more who have been fortunate to return home to their own Polynesian places. Thousands of auto graphs speak from the book’s fire-browned pages and where that book goes, the Polynesian Club goes too.
Until the building is repaired or more suitable permanent premises located, the Club will hold its meetings every Monday at 8.30 at the House of Culture, Kings Cross. —T. C.
Mr. H. B. Gibson is to be Chairman, and Mr. B. M. Gyaneshwar Vice-Chairman, of the Labasa Township Board. Fiji, in place of the District Commissioner and the DO. The vacant places have been filled by Mr. M. Reddi and Mr. D.
Simmons.