Madang News
pp. 50-51 · Read in the full issue
From a Special Correspondent MADANG. March 22.
AFTER months of waiting, Madang people were pleased when the movie theatre opened on February 28.
Considering the numerous difficulties, Mr.
Jack Ponting is to be congratulated on the progress he has made to date. He hopes to present, henceforth, a worth while programme every Saturday night.
Later, the theatre (now open-air), will be provided with roofing and seating accom modation. * * * Until the “town-plan” for Madang is confirmed, many people are unsure of the permanent location of their homes.
Others are living in crude shelters await ing the decisions of town planners, Burns Philp and the Administration, concerning the future of the former Modilon Planta tion. Members of the Administration have constructed, for themselves, tem porary houses which, from all accounts, are better than those in other districts.
Attractive temporary homes are being built by the New Guinea Co., Ltd., and the Lutheran Mission. Of the Chinese community only a few remain in the sec tion allotted to them by the Army at Beliau Village. The majority have re turned to the pre-war site of Chinatown. * * * A story is going the rounds of a bright young native of Kar-Kar Island. When told to bring a crust for a six months’ baby he looked at the cake-laden table and advised the mother: “Give ’im cake.”
M= * * Madang #ir port is growing. The Catholic Mission of the Holy Ghost re cently purchased a second Dragon from South for use in contacting mission stations in the Highlands and other parts of the Territory. Father Glover, the well beloved padre of the air, is in charge
while Mr. Charlie Gatenby pilots the second machine. * * « Early in March, Mr. Ben Hall’s Dragon arrived. He hopes soon to commence operations under the name of the Sepik River Transport Company. * * * Roads in Madang are in a disgraceful condition. The road to Alexishafen is im passable with dangerous sunken bridges and pot-holes feet deep. * * * The Burns Philp motor vessel, “Kulau” ran ashore recently on a reef near Aitape.
The vessel was successfully floated and towed to Madang by a navy tug. No serious damage seems to have been suf fered. * * * The Directorate of Shipping 300-tonner, MV “Kelaua” ran aground on a reef at Kar-Kar Island and was -refloated on March 8, with the aid of a navy tug and the MV “Kellanoa.” She was towed to Dreger Harbour for repairs by the “Kel lanoa.” * * * HMAS “Condamine” stayed in Madang for a week in connection with the salvag ing of the “Kelaua” and to stand by if assistance was required. * * * Disappointment was suffered in Madang when the “Merkur” did not call in on its way from Japan to Sydney. The “River Norman” took the copra previously intended for the “Merkur” and intending travellers went south bv plane or awaited the return of the “Mohtoro.” The “Ad miral Chase” arrived at the same time with cargo from Sydney and waited in mid-stream until the “River Norman” steamed down the passage. * * * THE news of a shortwave transmitter in Port Moresby which will broadcast sessions that can be heard during
the day, will delight Madang. It is under stood that educational sessions will be set aside for the natives. *■ * * During the wet season tennis has been at a standstill. With the return from leave of Mr. and Mrs. J. Allan Phillips, a renewed enthusiasm for the game is noted. ♦ * * To farewell Mrs. T. Aitchison, a sur prise morning tea party was held recently py Mrs. J. K. McCarthy at her home at Kalibobo, About twenty ladies attended and the informal atmosphere was en hanced by the unknowing guest of honour sitting modestly in the background on the doorstep. The Aitchisons will spend their leave in Victoria. * * * The Rev. W. E. Moren, Church of Eng land chaplain at Lae, visited Madang on March 19-20, when he discussed the pos sibilities of forming a church. Holy Communion was celebrated during his visit. * * ♦ A regular church service for Europeans is conducted by the American Lutneran Mission at the home of the Rev. Haahs. * * * The local Catholic Mission is planning to build a convent and presbytery in Madang. * * * On March 20 an enjoyable evening was held to celebrate the coming of age of Mrs. A. J. Shields, who was formerly Miss Marjorie Brodie of Rabaul. The in vited guests were Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Mc- Carthy, Mr. and Mrs. T. Aitchison, Mr. and Mrs. L. Hurrell, Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. R. Weidenhofer, Mr. arid Mrs, Gordon Clark, Mr. and Mrs.
McGregor, Mr. and Mrs. K. Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. D. Williams, Mr. and Mrs.
James, Sister Jones, and Mr. W. Batters.