Lae Now Has A Theatre

And Delayed Xmas Cheer

Prom Our Own Correspondent LAE, Jan. 20.

THROUGH the courtesy of Mrs. Flo.

Stewart, a Children’s Christmas Party was held on December 24, in the Recreation Hall of the Hotel Cecil, Lae.

About 60 children' with their parents attended, and Mr. “Rusty” Phillips acted as Father Christmas. He performed his duties in good style, although some of the younger children were doubtful as to whether he was the same Father Christmas they saw the year before.

Each |child was given a substantial present and refreshments. All arrange ments for this function were carried out jointly bv the Citizens Association and the RSSAILA. These organisations and the several ladies who worked hard to make the occassion a success, have the grateful thanks of Lae residents.

A ball was held at the hotel on New Year’s Eve, when virtually the whole town attended.

A NOTHER important event was the arrival of the “River Mitta” on January 17 with our Christmas goods and a large number of pigs, goats, and cattle for the Administration.

Parties long deferred will now eventuate —perhaps. But there is no beer, no tobacco, no sugar, no soap, and several other commodities in every-day use.

LAE is now beginning to resemble a township. Gradually a house here and another there goes up. Even on a Sunday, one can hear hammering on a new residence near-by. No 40hours-a-week here. If there is one thing

we enjoy here it is freedom to work when we like and as long as we feel inclined.

Neither New Guinea, nor any other country was never developed on a 40hour policy.

Many of the newcomers to the Terri tory seem to be the right types for New Guinea. Some, of course, will never do any good wherever they are, but they will soon be weeded out by virtue of the fact that they are not temperamentally suited for tropical life, isolated as it is. from the “Dawgs” and the “Horses” and with hard work as an alternative.

Burns Philp (NG) Ltd., have now erected six houses for their staff. This work had been delayed due to lack of building material.

IN 1945 ,the mainland of New Guinea was added to the Anglican Diocese of New Guinea, which prior to that year embraced only Papua.

The Anglican community in Lae is now well on the way towards the estab lishment of a church here, and accom modation for a resident priest who will visit Wau and Bulolo and outer districts.

Temporary buildings will be erected, which will serve all purposes, until some permanent site has been allocated.

THE local War Cemetery is a credit to those responsible. It is well kept, planted with crotons and other quick growing tropical plants. Relatives of those who rest there can be assured that the graves are well cared for and vener ated by all local residents.

AS an example of hard work, enter prise, and determination, we have Messrs. Starr and Venning, who have created an up-to-date Cinema here from salvaged war material.

This establishment took seven months to complete, from time of clearing of site, to opening. It is situated adjacent to

where the old Lae District Office once stood.

The construction is novel in so far as it caters for Euro peans and natives in two separate theatres for, oy swinging round the projectors, either theatre can be used, the native show being at rear of European section. The building is 190 feet long, and 48 feet wide, is 30 odd feet high. Ventilation on all sides gives patrons a cool night breeze from the sea.

Sixteen millimetre pro jector equipment is used. It has a 76-ft. throw and sound and acoustics are equal to any Southern theatre.

Films are sent by air-freight from Columbia Films, Metro- Goldwyn-M aye r, Republic Films, and British Empire Films, and are carried by Qantas Empire Airways.

The seating accommodation is comfortable, with canvas easy chairs complete with head covers.

A large drink and candy bar in the Auditorium with show cases for sweets, gives patrons a cool drink and chocolates —whenever we are fortunate enough to have had a boat from Australia.

On the opening night it was gaily lit with coloured, small lights and it seemed that Lae had again come to life, after

its years of desolation and destruction.

On entering the foyer one is greeted with a real tropical atmosphere. It is entirely lined with Sago palm fronds split and varnished, a Dlue silk parachute forming the ceiling, from the centre of which hangs the lighting fixtures. The

ticket-box in centre is novel in design and grass mats, nuge bowls of crotons, lounge chairs, with draped and curtained entrances on either side leading into the auditorium, give a pleasant effect.

Pictures are screened on Wednesdays and Saturdays for Europeans, and on

Friday for natives, the programme for the latter having been previously cen sored bv the District Officer.

The theatre was officially opened re cently.

Lae’s new picture theatre showing (top) exterior; and (lower) the foyer.

Mr. E. J. Moon has succeeded Mr. D.

A. Butler as manager of the Union Steamship Company’s branch in Suva,

Fiji. Mr. Butler left Suva recently for New Zealand, after 10 years service with his company there.