Madang Newsletter

From a Special Correspondent

Madang, Aug. 30.

AT a representative meeting of Madang citizens recently, it was decided to form a Parents’ and Citizens’ Asso ciation. Messrs. Evans, Collins, Steege and Mrs. Weidenhofer were elected to the general committee and instructed to draw up a constitution suitable to the district; and, should either Mr. J. R. Halligan, Secretary to the Department of External Territories, or the Minister of that De partment visit Madang in the near future, to approach them with regard to a bur sary scheme for children proceeding to Australia for secondary education.

One hundred pounds per annum for each child was considered a suitable amount for such bursaries.

In the event of neither the Secretary nor ihe Minister of the Department visit ing the Territory, provision was made for other means of bringing the whole prob lem of secondary education before the authorities. The cost of living in the Territories now is such that few people can afford to send their children to Aus tralia for post-primary education. It is considered that it would be cheaper for the Administration to make some contri bution to their education than to estab lish secondary schools in New Guinea, The president of the newly constituted Parents’ and Citizens’ Association is the local District Officer, Mr. J. K. McCarthy.

Mr. L. Fisher is secretary-treasurer.

After considerable effort on the part of various members of the community, the dance floor of the Madang Club was opened with a ball on August 21. A large number attended.

Mr. P. Brosgarth, a cadet in the Agri cultural Department, has performed a worthwhile service to the community by organising a “learn to swim” campaign among local children. He has now been transferred to the Highlands for three months and his voluntary labours have been taken over by Mr. F. Hurrell.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia opened for business in the town on August 16. Mr. M. Andrew is manager.

The Director of Education for Papua- New Guinea, Mr. W. C. Groves, paid a short visit to the town recently. It is hoped that a new school building will be one result of his visit. The present build ing is too small for the number of child ren who are expected to attend next year.

The last of the vehicles from Madang “car park” war-disposals trucks, etc.) were removed by MV “Baluchistan” during a busy shipping week recently. No less than six ships were in port on one occa sion—one of them being the “Teviot Bank” which was loading copra.

The newly appointed Bishop of Central New Guinea (the Rt. Rev. Leo Arkfeld), gave Madang residents an exciting hour recently when he arrived at night after an adventurous trip in his plane. While he circled the town, apparently uncon cerned, residents turned out in force in their jeeps and cars to light the air-strip for his landing.

Due to a very dry season, many Madang residents are short of water and supplies have to be carted to them from the Meiro River.

Social jottings: Mr. D. Ewing is reliev ing Mr. T. Warburton as manager of the local branch of Burns Philp (NG), Ltd.; Mrs. Ewing has accompanied her husband to Madang. . . . Mrs. H. James has started rehearsals for a play to be per formed by the children of the district. . .

Sister Blakely has joined the staff of the European Hospital where Sister P. Wau chope has been assisting for some time. . . . Mrs. Daymond, who some years ago lived in the Sepik area, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Len Fisher. . . . Mr. C. S Paisley has resigned from New Guinea Estates to take over Taab Plantation on Kar Kar Island.

A Territories-wide organisation, with Mr. J. H. Ahearn as organising secretary, has been set up in Port Moresby to raise funds for the United Nations Appeal to assist the world’s starving children. The

Administrator, Colonel J. K. Murray, launched the appeal in a broadcast over 9PA on August 25. Other supporting speakers were Father Earle. Rev. H. E.

Palmer, Rev. D, E. Ure, and Pastor Gray.

These two photographs by Mr. Ronald Gatty give some indication of the impressive feast held in Nukualofa, Tonga, in June, during the Con vention of the Free Tongan Church.

In the top picture one sees some portion of the food which was spread out so lavishly for the entertainment of members and guests.

The lower picture shows three of the leading workers—from left to right: Mrs. Ulakalala, Sio La’a, and Saimone Taumoipau—all leaders of the Free Tongan Church.