Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, July 31.

AT the village of Vunavavar, Rabaul, on July 12, a Roman Catholic church was dedicated and blessed by Bishop L. Scharmach. The original church was built in 1903 when the village priest was Father H. Nollen. The village priest to-day is still Father Nollen.

The church at Vunavavar was com pletely demolished during the war and

rebuilding commenced about six months ago. Father Nollen is a Dutchman and recently celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Priest. As a Golden Jubilee gift, the Bishop had his church rebuilt.

Father Nollen is now 79 but still moves about the rugged mountains attending to the work of his parish. He has three native Mission Sisters teaching in the school and the parish is visited weekly by a European nursing sister who attends the sick.

The opening day of the new church was the occasion for a very big sing-sing.

Natives from all over the Rabaul and Kokopo districts gathered in the village of Vunavavar for the celebrations. * MAJOR T. W. UPSON, Officer-in- Charge Ist Australian War Crim inals Compound, Manus, arrived in Rabaul in mid-July by Guinea Air Traders aircraft. He was immediately ad mitted to Rabaul hospital with a frac tured leg—the result of a collision between the jeep he was driving and a ten-wheeler truck. His condition is satis factory. * A FEW days later, Mr. F. Henderson, Officer-in-Charge of Kerevat Agri cultural Station received injuries when travelling in a trawler to Talasea — he was thrown from his bunk during rough weather. The Qantas Catalina brought him to Rabaul where he entered hospital. The following day, the Catalina was called upon to make an emergency landing at Namatanai to bring in a very sick child; and another sick child was brought in by RAAF courier on July 20.

The value of our air services cannot be over-estimated. * THE Rabaul sub-branch of the RSSAILA held a successful ball on July 20, at the residence of Mr. J.

Black of Malaguna Road. Something different was provided for patrons in the way of a barbecue supper of roast pig and fresh oysters.

RSL funds are expected to profit con siderably by the function. * A DAUGHTER (Jennifer) was born to Mr. and Mrs. Eric Petterson, of Rabaul. on July 26, at Namanula Hospital.

Mr. Petterson was a well-known resident of the Wewak district before the war. * AFTER six weeks of dry, hot weather, light rain commenced on July 26. It was very welcome to Rabaul resi dents. The dust has been temporarily laid, practically empty, domestic water tanks partially filled, and our gardens re vived a little. The sealed roads are a tremendous help in making Rabaul live able and when completed throughout the township area the dry season will not be dreaded quite as much as it is now. * THE Carnival which the Rabaul Cricket Association had planned for July 29 and 30 had to be called off owing to the rain. But two foot races sponsored by the RCA were held, in spite of bad weather. They resulted in the following:—RCA Gift, 100 yards handi cap: K. Chambers, first; J. Carroll, se cond; and A. Williams, third. RCA Championship, 75 yards: J. Carroll, first; N. Ellis, second: A. Williams, third.

THE Supreme Court Criminal Session opened in Rabaul on July 20 and was presided over by Mr. Justice E.

Bignold, on his first circuit as Judge of the Supreme Court.

It will be remembered that Mr. Justice Bignold was appointed to the bench recently. Prior to this appointment he was Crown-Law Officer at Port Moresby.

The first case was that of a native, who was charged with stealing a large sum of money from his employer. He was sen tenced to nine months on the first charge and 12 months on the second charge. The second case, was that of a native con stable of the Talasea Sub-district charged with rape of two native female prisoners. He got seven years with hard labour.

A European, charged with misappro priating £450 of Administration funds, was acquitted after a trial lasting four days. Mr. S. H. Johnson prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, Mr. Dudley Jones represented the defence.