Madang Newsletter

From a Special Correspondent

Madang, June 20.

EARLY in June Mr. A. Shields returned to Lae after relieving Mr. Keith Chambers as Collector of Customs for about nine months. During that time the latter had leave in Sydney with his family and later relieved Mr. Bill Marshall in Lae.

A movie programme from the Visual Education Session was recently presented here for natives. Mr. J, Ponting, as usual, gave free service as projectionist while Mr. Ken Hicks supplied a running com mentary in Pidgin English. The pro gramme was varied and interesting but it left this correspondent wondering if a film on music which used such words as “legato,” “violin,” “cello,” “musical interpretation” and “allegro” was above native understanding.

Natives have been filling in potholes on town roads. A worthwhile suggestion has been made by Mr, E. V. O’Brien so that people on plantations beyond the Meiro River will not be isolated during rain spells: This is to make a detour to a narrower point in the river where a bridge crossing would be a more practical proposition.

A foot bridge, or at least a railing, is necessary for school children from Kali bobo who must now cross the neck of the lagoon.

People in charge of the local power house were unable to track down the cause of trouble in the engines. Then they discovered that the men in a men’s mess had been receiving shocks and on examination found that severe rains had loosened - Wires which caused the roof to become electrified.

Mr. “Sonny” Clarke has transferred from the PHD to the staff of BP’s. His wife and daughter recently joined him in Madang.

Hay-ride for younger set! A motor vehicle loaned by the Lutheran Mission filled with shavings in lieu of hay, and driven by the Rev. A. A. Maahs, recently collected all the young people of the town for a moonlight picnic and barbecue supper at Kalibobo. Though the moon refused to shine and rain drove the pic nickers inside for half an hour, their spirits were undampened and their voices unimpaired as they drove home about 10.30. £ beetle is causing havoc-among gar dens in Madang. Zinnias, marigolds, and fruit trees seem to be its favourite food.

It is not known if other districts are affected and if biological control may be the most effective cure.

Mr. and Mrs. Maltman are the proud possessors of a second daughter born at Madang European Hospital. The event occurred on June 2. Mrs. Maltman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy MacGregor.

Natives are now drifting into Madang to obtain work. The position is such that soon natives will be offering their services at rates lower than those offi cially ‘stipulated. Wewak and Sepik natives, having found work hard to ob tain in their district, are among the drifters. It is thought that War Damage money paid to natives has been used up ten years sooner than expected because' of high living costs, Madang Club has now been granted a licence. Drinks will be available on several afternoons and evenings a week— for Club members only.

Visitors from the Highlands at present include Mesdames Eisenhauer, Whitford, and Bailey.

The Queensland State Cabinet recentlv decided to buy a modern £20.000 vessel from the Tasmanian Government for use among the Torres Strait Islands, it will be based on Thursday Island.