"Sabotage" At

Finschhafen!

Suggestion of Communists At Large

Finschhafen. June 2

RUMBLINGS of a fresh war, coupled with the fact that Finschhafen is now an important naval base, may have been responsible for a recent out break of sabotage in the now peaceful and picturesque vicinity of Finschhafen.

Suffice it to say, that no deaths oc curred. But—what of the future? It is well known that Finschhafen may yet be the chosen site of the new capital; but, it is unlikely that that fact would cause sabotage.

It is unlikely, also, that discontent in the Australian and NZ navies should have repercussions in this naval base. I have had opportunity to sense the feeling of the “Tarangau” men, and I am con vinced that officers and ratings are 100 per cent, loyal.

First to warn the Inspector of Police at Finschhafen of impending danger was an aged Luluai (village chief). He did not help the Japanese invaders and he was loyal to the Allies. He disclosed an attempt to sabotage motor vehicles, with possible loss of life.

With magisterial eye, bred in years of training, the Inspector viewed the inci dent with concern; but, despite his effort to maintain that dignity due to his high office, his mouth quivered.

Three tiny tots, axe-handle high, were aligned before him. The aged Luluai had forcibly arrested them and brought evidence. “What name something?” the Inspector demanded fiercely. But the “monkeys” looked up innocently at him —they could not speak English, and the aged Luluai had to interpret.

The miscreants were charged with placing nails across the main road: They wanted to see “gumi baga up.” Con cealed in the nearby bush, they joyfully watched the big white master changing a tyre, with sweat rolling from him, and appropriate language.

The Queensland Criminal Code was consulted. It was decided that it was not necessary to invoke the aid of the Crown Law Officer and the delinquents were dismissed with a caution.

There was a sequel. In full view of the Administration staff, clad in immaculate whites, the aged Luluai removed his belt, and proceeded to inflict several staunch blows on the place provided. At each swing of the lash he counted raucously: And each villain received six swipes.

No. 1 “monkey” stood up manfully to the ordeal, to the admiration of the Euro pean onlookers; but he yelped towards the end, and continued to rub his pos terior for a long time. Yells rent the air as No. 2 received his issue. But No. 3 had surveyed the position. Cunningly placing his hand rearwards, he evaded the first blow, and every time the aged and incensed Luluai took a swing, the delinquent jumped aside, the lash merely striking his flowing lap-lap.

Anyway, that’ll teach ’em!

Mr. Robert Harold McNamara, who was killed in Queensland’s worst railway disaster near Brisbane on Monday, May 5, was for a period attached to the Public Service at Thursday Island. Born in 1893. at Springsure (Q), the late Mr.

McNamara was more recently an officer of the Customs Department, Brisbane.

Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Mumford, of Fiji, who have been spending six month vaca tion in Sydney passed through Brisbane by flying-boat recently on their return home, via Noumea.