Madang Newsletter

Prom a Special Correspondent

Madang. May 25.

A WELL-ATTENDED party was given to Sister Joyce Jones at the Club House prior to her going on leave.

The president of the Social Club, Mr.

George Tyrell, president of the Citizens’

Progress Association, Mr. Ben Hall, and District Officer Mr. J. K. McCarthy spoke on the sterling character of Sister Jones, stressing her kindness, devotion to duty and her courage during the evacuation of Madang, in 1942.

As a token of the esteem in which she is held in the district, a wallet of notes was presented to her. ♦ ♦ * Citizens and Progress Association met at the Madang Club recently when Town planning officials, visiting the district, outlined some ideas for Madang and an swered queries concerning the size of residential blocks and positions of build ings. Several residents discussed the erection of the Bailey bridge across the Meiro River and asked why this project had been discontinued. The nosition of the temporary sawmill close to the recrea tion grounds, residential area and hos pital was strongly criticised.

Dissatisfaction was expressed concerning mails, it being pointed out that some planes left Lae without carrying mail.

Citizens seemed satisfied with the ser vice provided by Madang post office. ♦ * * According to all reports, cost of living in Madang is considerably higher than elsewhere in the Territory. This is due to the excessively high costs of grocery lines and boy’s rations. ♦ * ♦ Mosquitoes are busy in Madang but the introduction of palludrine has done much to lower the incidence of malaria. ♦ ♦ ♦ A popular arrival to the town is Miss Joy James, who has taken charge of the post-office. Miss James and her mother travelled from Brisbane on the “Montoro” to join Mr. H. James, of BP’s staff. * ♦ ♦ Building attractive homes in Madang for Administration officials has ceased.

Recent erections are unattractive, incon venient and in some instances lacking in privacy. ♦ • * The acting-treasurer, Mr. J. Bourke, and two auditors. Mr. Gordon Farmer and Mr. P. George, recently had a busy week enjoying Madang hospitality in be tween serious consideration of the financial returns of the District.

Rumours are prevalent that the Com monwealth Savings Bank intends com mencing operations irr Madang. Residents feel the need for this is urgent. ♦ * ♦ Madang’s DLO, Mr. Hal Evans with Mrs. Evans and their two young daughters, returned to Madang on the “Montoro.”

The family is happy in its new home at Kahbobo, completed prior to their leave South. Mr. Evans’ relieving officer, Mr.

Jim White, was guest of honour at a party at the home of Mr. George Edwards prior to his departure. ♦ ♦ ♦ ADO, Lloyd Hurrell, of Bogia, who went to Lae recently on duty had an ad venturous return to Bogia by the “Koro ”

Madang’s trawler. When some distance U P the c ° ast , engine trouble set the boat adrift for ten hours.