Notes From Madang

From a Special Correspondent MADANG, April 27.

ACCOMPANIED by Mrs. Hugh Birch, Mr. and Mrs. J. Sedgers, of Madang, with daughters Jac and Jill and young son Tony, flew by Lockheed to Mt.

Hagan for Easter. • • • Three crash boats from Morotai passed through the port in late March. » * * Madang now enjoys a regular bi-weekly

mail service, instead of once-weekly, as formerly. ♦ * ♦ School Inspector Ralph recently spent a week in the District. His happy ap proach to the children banished the old “inspector bogie.” Mr. Ralph met the parents at the District Officer’s home on the night of April 5. In addressing the parents, he spoke of the school syllabus, the new bursary scheme and the forma tion of a Parents and Citizens Associa tion.

The regulation, that if necessary, the Association should arrange accommoda tion for teachers at a reasonable rate — probably the living allowance provided by the Administration—provoked lively discussion. Dissatisfaction was expressed that teachers, who are Administration officers, should be singled out in this respect. Difficulties, in the way of finance and inadequate accommodation, were put forward against this provision. * * * The Lutheran Mission have provided the material for the erection of the Chinese school. Mrs. Radke is to be in charge. • * * * Accommodation is still difficult in Madang. With no single men’s mess, no hotel and no guest-house in the town, Madang people, mainly Administration folk, after two years of providing accom modation for the hundreds of transitory travellers protested some time ago against private people in the District having to billet travellers. Only one or two people in the town have guest rooms. To con tinue their former hospitality would mean financial loss and constant incon venience. * * * Mr. Harry Shaw, former Medical Assis tant, of Manus, and later of Madang, has been having a busman’s holiday in Wollongong, NSW, undergoing medical treatment. * ♦ ♦ The Agricultural Department intends planting 6,000 trees around the water front, commencing at the lighthouse.

Many people hope that attention will be paid to the wharf area as it not only gives a bad impression of the town to new arrivals, but also is extremely glaring, being made of crushed coral and en tirely without shade. * * * For Club members, a dance and card evening was held on Wednesday, April 14.

The occasion was Mr. Alan Clark’s birth day, and it was referred to in speeches by Mr. Fred James and Mr. N. Peters, who thanked him for his work as secre tary. * * * First annual ball conducted by the RSSAILA was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. McCarthy at Kalibobo on April 23. It was a particularly enjoyable function, and reflected credit on the organiser, Mr. N. Peters. Supper was ar ranged bv the Peters family. Raffle prizes were won by Mr. A. Fames and Mrs. H. Birch. * * Mr. Toss Schilling, of Matupi Planta tion, while on leave in Sydney, received the bad news that his copra drier had been totally destroyed. It is believed the cause was spontaneous combustion. * * Anzac Day was commemorated in Madang by a Dawn Service. Veterans of two wars gathered on the oval to honour their fallen comrades. At 11 o’clock, members of the RSL and per sonnel from HMAS “Culgoa” marched to the Oval, where a Public Service was held. Hymns and prayers were followed by addresses, the Last Post and the National Anthem. A~ address in Pidgin was delivered by Mj McCarthy to the numerous natives. Wreaths were laid at the Saluting Base.