Finschhafen

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From Our Own Correspondent

Finschhafen, Nov. 29.

NOT-SO-MANY years hence one might see a fat, ebony-coloured Mayor of Finschhafen, adorned with robes of office, strutting magnificiently along Keenan’s Avenue en route for t)ivine Service at St. Angau’s Cathedral, followed by a retinue of white-shirted “village councillors.”

The arboreal splendour of the drive leading to Administration Headquarters at Gagidu Point rivals pre-war Rabaul, and that galaxy of floral display along Marine Parade is a splash of vivid colour.

But, why “beautify” Finschhafen? Dis tinguished, well-travelled visitors have already spoken eulogistically of its charms. * * * Major S. A. Merritt, OC, US War

Graves, Finschhafen, has nearly com pleted his job of disinterring the thous ands of American heroes who were buried locally.. The entire War Graves Unit will be leaving shortly for Manila. The jolly Major, who has had 28 years in the US Army, will be much missed by local re sidents. *>* * "

I am told by an Administration Officer that “Cargo Cult,” which had gained considerable sway inland in the Hube area, has now died a natural death. ♦ * * Now that so many of the naval officers from HMAS “Tarangau” (Finschhafen Naval Base) have their wives with them, social functions are in order. One of the best local parties recently was when Finschhafen’s most eligible bachelor, Mr.

Leslie J. G. Stomann, popular Govern ment Engineer, with his friend Fred Golton, “Tarangau’s” famous chef, cele brated their combined birthdays. Gehring

Hall was packed to capacity, but the chief attraction with the large cool, semi-open air garage, adorned with coconut fronds, which served for drinking, eating and conviviality.

Traditional naval barriers were broken down by officers and# wives mingling freely with the Petty Officers and ratings.

Beer flowed, and the fun went on until 4 a.m. * * * It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. J. R.

Keenan will be going on leave early in the New Year and that they are going to Africa for a trip. * * * An accident occurred on the main high way near Administration Headquarters on November 23, when a jeep containing several naval ratings crashed into a tree in broad daylight. One rating was seri ously injured and had to be flown to Aus tralia for treatment. * * * Deputising for the Administrator, Mr.

J. H. Jones, Director of District Services and Native Affairs, visited Finschhafen with the Director of Public Health, Dr.

J. T. Gunther, on November 20. I over heard that he was non-plussed on enter ing the sacred precincts of the Sub district Office, for verandah and approaches were gaily bedecked with red, white and blue bunting and bamboos, while a huge Australian flag fluttered in the breeze. But, alas; a police-boy said it was “sumting belong King, two fella, Masta Jones!” It was the occasion of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth, also! * * * I saw half-a-dozen ladies at the Lutheran Mission making the trickiest of women’s hats, handbags and belts from the leaves of the coconut palm and the pandanus. It was the outcome of the instruction they received recently from a Miss Archer, Administration handicrafts expert. The natives should take to this class of work readily, but it will have to be confined to certain selected areas for fear of spoiling trading. * * * Patrol Officer Barry T. Copley, Sio Police Post, who has been transferring that station to Wasu, further up the coast, was brought to the R. N. Sick Bay, Finschhafen, recently by special vessel, suffering from a poisoned ankle. He has now returned to Wasu. * * * I’m tipping that Finsch. will have one or two shocks in store for Lae when the boys from the Butibum area come up for a few days’ sport at Christmas. Despite the strain of social activities, the men and women at Finschhafen keep them selves remarkably fit with swimming, tennis and bicycle riding. ** * * There are no outward signs of the Naval base getting ready to move to Manus. The air-strip here will always be maintained. We have an excellent water service that supplies overseas ships. It is to be hoped that Mr. Ward will not over look Finschhafen’s claims when he chooses a capital.

Mr. Dan Power, formerly of ANGAU, and now a resident of Kokopo district, New Guinea, has been awarded the Military Medal for what he calls “dodg ing the Nips in Madang on the night of December 18, 1942.” The police boy who accompanied him was awarded the Loyal Service Medallion. The second instal ment of an article describing Mr. Power’s experiences during the Jap invasion ap pears in this issue, on page 52.