Improvements In Rabaul

FROM a Rabaul resident returned home after a years’ absence: — “Rabaul has been improved out of sight in 12 months. There are a new Post Office and Customs House, new House Kiap, picture theatre, Customs sheds, wharf, and some 10 hp taxis. The heavy undergrowth has been cleared away from the roadsides, but the roads are very dusty.

“The equipment employed by the con structional people is neglected to an amazing degree—tractors, etc., lying out in the weather with no protection.

“The new building for the Bank of NSW is nearly complete.

“The stores seem to be well stocked up. BP’s are still a bit crowded, but Carpenters have enlarged the shop area, and catered for our comfort by install ing lounge chairs, etc., in the space be tween counters.

“The hotel has been much improved.

There is now a roomy bar and billiard room combined, and the dining-room has a neat wooden barrier separating it from the lounge and verandah.”

Mr. Leonard Moran, well-known to Polynesian people as the founder and long-term president of the Sydney Poly nesian Club, has now settled down happily in Tahiti. He praises the beauty of the country and the warm hospitality of the people; but complains somewhat of (a) prickly heat; (b) the peculiarities of French typewriters; (c) the obligation upon him to drink very hot coffee out of handle-less cups. En route, he spent some time in Fiji. His outstanding im pression of Fiji is the smell of Indian cooking which, he says prevails from Sigatoka to Ba, and right back to Suva again.