Moresby
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Bulolo Welcomed In
The Territories
Dismal Greeting In Port Moresby
Port Moresby, Sept. 1.
AS night gave way to a heavy grey dawn on Wednesday, August 25, the MV “Bulolo,” pride of the Burns Philp’s passenger fleet, crept into Port Moresby harbour under a blanket of ugly, low-lying clouds and blinding rain.
As we hurried to work some hours later, we could barely distinguish the vessel, a long white phantom standing off-shore in the bleak grey light, with a fierce downpour of rain pelting into the wind-tossed waters around her. Then the -rain lifted slightly and the ship turned in towards the wharf, but as she finally tied up, after two false starts, the elements again turned nasty. The fierce cold wind blew more vigorously through the gap, the rain reached new intensity, and visibility further deteriorated.
This was a poor “welcome home” for the sleek white Islands liner on her return from the wars, decked out in brand new summer attire; and a poor introduction to island cruising and tropi cal sunshine for the 60 round-trip tourists she brought with her —the first batch of round-trippers for nearly ten years.
The Police Band, detailed to provide a welcome, packed up and retreated from the dismal scene without playing a note.
The canoe-race and native-dance, planned as the day’s attractions, had to be post poned. And the tourists spent their first Islands day wandering through the main streets in their winter clothing.
It may have been some comfort to them to be assured that such weather had never before been known in August, within the memory of even the oldest inhabitant.
The trip from Sydney had been very pleasant, however, with dances, deck games, picture shows and swimming keeping everyone busy. The weather made amends next day, also, and the canoe-race and dance were held in bright sunshine. The following day motor tours were arranged for the tourists, many of whom are visiting war graves in the Ter ritory. On the whole, they seemed to enjoy their stay.
Port Moresby’s townsfolk also enjoyed having the “Bulolo” back in port again; she provided a welcome contrast to the succession of rather uncomfortable ships on which the locals have recently had to travel, including the poor old “Montoro” —at present en route to Singapore, via Moresby, for delivery to new Asiatic owners. The “Montoro” has been a long and faithful friend, but even her staunchest supporters must admit that she has for some time been shabby and looks worn-out.
A large crowd assembled at the wharf to see the “Bulolo” leave for Lae and Rabaul. She will call at Port Moresby on her way south again, and BP’s plan to run her to a strict monthly schedule.
Tourists At Lae
Mr. James Petersen, Local Bp
manager, has been hard at it ar ranging an itinerary for the first tourists to visit Papua and New Guinea (on MV “Bulolo”) since the war. Among other things, there will be sightseeing tours by air of the Morobe District area.
Guinea Air Traders aircraft will convey
tourists to Wau, where they will be able to stay for at least two hours, while an Auster plane will be available for trips around Lae.
The District Office has arranged a native sing-sing.
Among the tourists on board the “Bulolo’ are Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Brunton (Mr. Brunton is managing director of Brunton’s Flour); Mr. Les Tolley, of Tol ley and Scott: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Mur ray (Mr. Murray is a director of Edgells, Ltd.); Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Thompson, of Albury; Mr. and Mrs. R. Rogers, of Goulburn; Mr. R. F. Blue (well known bookmaker).
THE “Bulolo” also is helping wedding bells to chime. Mr. and Mrs. Haz zard and Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were
married in Lae on the day the “Bulolo” docked. Mrs. Hazzard was formerly Miss Eileen Worthey, of Marrickville, Sydney; and Mrs. Weeks was formerly Miss Beryl Ivery, of Bankstown. Both husbands are employed by Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter acted as best man and matron-of-honour respectively, in both cases—Mrs. Carter is joining her husband, also with BGD.
The spirit of matrimony seems to have infiltrated pretty thoroughly among Bulolo residents, for Mr. Teddie Latch ford, well known for his long sojourn in NG and also for his cricketing prowess, was married recently to Miss Genevieve Commons, of Broadway, Sydney. And there are still more marriages to come from BGD.