Madang Newsletter

From a Special Correspondent

Madang, Jan. 27.

THE successful refrigeration of meat for the people of Madang has been the main topic of recent conversa tion, We now have plenty of meat in the town and other shortages have been overlooked.

The long awaited arrival of the “Mon toro” relieved shortages of milk, butter, flour, etc. At the moment the only shortages are in eggs and vegetables. ♦ ♦ ♦ The pre-war hospital for Europeans is again functioning under the supervision of Sister Joyce (“Taffy”) Jones. The nursing staff is living in the former quarters of the MO, Dr, Deland, who is occupying the pre-war home of the SMO. ♦ ♦ ♦ The European school will open on February 3 in temporary quarters. Dur ing the vacation the children spent much of their time in the public swimming pool. Many of them have learnt to swim under the supervision of Mr. Phil Bos gard. ♦ ♦ ♦ Next month it is expected that the local picture theatre will open regularly on Saturday nights. To date there have been no pictures screened for Europeans.

The Education Department supplies films for native training. ♦ ♦ ♦ Much enthusiasm has been aroused by the baseball games organised bv the Lutheran Mission. Mixed teams of Aus tralians and Americans are cheered from the sideline by folk in jeeps, weapon carriers and lorries. * ♦ ♦ The engagement has been announced of Sister Robin Houghton to Mr. Geoff Mason. The marriage is expected to take place in Madang about August. Several parties and a kitchen-tea have already been arranged to celebrate the event. * * ♦ To celebrate the birthday of Mr. Roy MacGregor, Mrs. MacGregor recently gave a party at her home, assisted bv her daughter, Mrs. Maltman, Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. T. Warburton, Mr. and Mrs. A. Shields, Mr. and Mrs. R.

Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Longmore, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Collins, Mr. and Mrs. T.

Aitchison, Mr. N. Peters and Mr, O.

Banks. ♦ ♦ * Building of temporary homes in Madang is proceeding. Despite severe shortages of timber and other building material several attractive homes have been erected and are now being improved by colourful gardens.

The Social Club has been busy erecting a temporary structure for headquarters.

The woodwork of the roofing is com pleted but, as yet, little has been done towards the ironwork. ♦ ♦ ♦ Mr. E. V. O’Brien’s Mililat Plantation was unfortunate in the loss by fire re cently of a Ceylon type of copra dryer.

The cause of the accident is unknown. * * * Preparations are being made for the transfer to Australia on the “Hindustan” of all vehicles in the Madang car-park. * * * Temporary repairs to the town wharf are progressing. Some attention is also being paid to the work of repairing the roads which for some time have been in a bad state. -> ♦ ♦ Pinschhafen was selected as the centre for the Lutheran Mission Conference which was recently held. All mission aries from the Madang area attended.

Several Catholic priests arrived by air from America early in January. They will undertake duties in the district of Madang. * * * Expected departures in the next “Montoro” (probably in February), include Mr. and Mrs. Schilling, and Mrs. Ruby Luff.

Mrs. Luff goes to Sydney for health reasons. Until she enters Concord Hospital she will be at the Hotel Arcadia.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Jolly have left Madang for Lae. Mr. Jolly has been appointed accountant for Burns Philp in Lae. He was replaced at Madang by Mr.

Sherry.

The Samoans who awaited transport to Fiji by the “Admiral Chase” and who were unable to get passage because they neglected to book through Sydney office., were still delayed in the village on the day of the sing-sing. If it is possible, arrangements will be made to fly them out by Catalina. ♦ ♦ ♦ The Chinese settlement has been re turned to its pre-war position. Trade stores and houses are all nearing com pletion.

Madang still shows some battle scars but economically it is recovering more quickly than the majority of coastal towns on the mainland of New Guinea.