Moresby

The Month In

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby June 5.

THE Administrator (Colonel J. K.

Murray) is still in Australia. It is understood that he has been on holiday in NSW since the end of the South Pacific Conference. Mr. Justice Phillips, who returned from Australia in mid-May, is Acting Administrator.

Mr. J. B. Me Adam, Secretary for Forests, is back at Konedobu again. Mr.

McAdam has been in and out of Sydney several times during the last few months as a witness in the “New Guinea Timber Lease case.” He will doubtless have to spend yet another period in Sydney as the second charge against Garden Si Co. is still to be heard.

Mr. W. C. Groves, Director of Educa tion, left for Australia on May 31, on Departmental business. Mr. J. H, McDonald, Assistant Director of District Services and Native Affairs, returned from leave during May.

Apart from these movements, the senior executives at Konedobu still seem to “have their heads down.” Shortage of staff is becoming their great headache —resignations are still numerous and re cruits hard to find. ■ ■ ■ THE “Montoro” and “Malaita” took a number of Administration officers on leave. Those who left on the “Montoro” included Mr. and Mrs. W. C.

Steele and infant, Mr. and Mrs. Sparks, Mr. and Mrs. G. Layt and family, Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien and infant, Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson and infant, and Mr. and Mrs. L. Clout.

Mr. W. Watkins, of the Crown Law Office, left on the “Malaita.” Another ‘Malaita” passenger was Mr. Julian

Hughes, wh ° h & s been forced, by illhealth to relinquish his position as Deputy Prices Commissioner. ■ ■ ■ 117HATEVER their views on politics, i’ local residents are grateful to the

Port Moresby Branch of the Aus tralian Labour Party for bringing to the notice of the authorities the inconveni ences and irregularities which have for some time annoyed hospital outpatients.

It was the custom for the doctor to in spect bed patients before attending to

outpatients, with the result that, al though consulting hours were from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., it was rare for the first person to receive attention before 8.30. It was also not uncommon lor late-comers to receive attention out of turn.

Now, as a result of the Branch’s repre sentations, consulting hours have been altered to 8.30-9.30 a.m. Outpatients will receive a numbered card on arrival, and will be required to answer to their num ber in strict rotation.

B ■ ■ 117 E have heard that Pax Trimm, the VT town’s sporting star, is packing up shortly and returning south. He will be missed —but sporting trophies may in future be more evenly distributed.

Partnered by Miss Joy Niness, Pax re cently won tne mixed doubles tournament conducted by the tennis club. In the men’s doubles he and Des. Sulivan, with a handicap of minus 40, .met Messrs.

Benzley and Moon in the final. It had to be abandoned at one set all because of failing light. Pax is, of course, local men’s singles champion. He is also pro minent in the cricket club’s averages, both as a bowler and batsman. ■ ■ ■ THE death of Mr. J. Spychiger (see elsewhere) has robbed Moresby of a very old identity. He will be mourned by many friends from pre-war Moresby who have not returned, as well as those who have returned. He will also be missed by stamp collectors all over the world.

Many people lost another friend in Mr. Cliff Kerr, of the Commonwealth Audit staff, who died suddenly while on leave in Queensland. Mr. Kerr was in Rabaul pre-war. He was only in his early thirties.

A QUESTION agitating Administration

officers in search of housing at the moment is—“ What has become of the housing committee?” Three houses at Konedobu have now been unoccupied for a considerable time, and no-one has been given permission to move in.

It is understood that the Housing- Committee has not met for some con siderable time. Perhaps the members have thrown in the sponge, for their job is thankless enough. Nevertheless, some information seems called for. ■ a ■ THE 230 ton motor vessel “Fair Wind” arrived in Moresby last week. She will be used for a survey of the Territory’s fishing resources, which is be ing sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries. ■ ■ ■ THE Education Department has com menced construction of a sound proof recording room at Konedobu, to be used for preparing broadcasts and film-sound tracks. The Department re cently announced that plans for extend ing its film work were being held up by shortage of equipment. We have heard the more serious rumour that plans for extending educational work are being held up by a shortage of teachers. If there was ever a job worth doing, surely this is it!

Mr. C. St. Julian, who will shortly re tire from the post of Assistant Comp troller of Customs, Fiji, has been released from his appointment to take up the post of Secretary of the Copra Board, He suceeds Mr. C. W. Aidney, who re cently resigned as a result of ill-health.