Rabaul Roundabout
pp. 101-102 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Rabaul. Sept. 8.
IHE Pidgin English play called “Kussi,” . which was performed during Bishop Scharmach’s Jubilee in July, was ■esented again by the native pupils of e Kinigunan School, Vunapope Mission, 1 August 14 in Rabaul Catholic Church rounds. The audience was very large id included many of the Bulolo pas ngers.
The play was written in Pidgin by ither Mayerhafen in 1941 and was first esented just prior to the Japanese en ding the war —the audience at that time nsisted mainly of members of the 2 22 ittalion. Only one copy of the play rvived the war.
Dver 120 native players, including an )ino (who played the part of a tholic priest), took part in the latest Dduction which was produced by other Landinger. The story tells of the urn of mission schoolboys to their tive village and the problems they :e when their new learning comes into iflict with the old ideas of their village ers. * BALL was held on the Rabaul Club’§ . Tennis Court on the night of August 6. dthough, for weeks and weeks, resi lts of Rabaul had longed and prayed rain, it was not wanted on that ht. However the rain came—only 38 nts, but sufficient to spoil all the cities planned. dl who attended thoroughly enjoyed mselves in spite of it, and the funds now increased by £3O-odd. We ap ciated an informal visit from the ninistrator, who, at the conclusion of
a full day, during an official visit to Rabaul, joined in the fun of the ball in the rain.
THE marriage took_ place on August 20, at the Rabaul Methodist Church at 4.30, of Miss Honour Earls of Syd ney (who arrived in last Bulolo), and Mr. John Stroud, who is engaged in diving activities in Rabaul, * THE Rabaul Swimming Club expects to re-open about the middle of Septem ber. A new engine for the pump is expected by Malaita earlier that month.
The pool was severely damaged during the war but a contract has been let to re construct the damaged wall; when this work is completed the pool will be 33 i yards long. * A RE-UNION of Middle East veterans (Africa Star holde*s), was held at the residence of Mr. A. J. Corlass.
Rabaul, on August 20. Over 30 attended to spend a happy night. * THE motor vessel, Willowbank, departed Rabaul, September 6, for Madang.
During her stay in Rabaul she loaded 5.700 tons copra, and it is anticipated that she will take on another 1.000 tons in Madang. This represents the largest single shipment of copra taken out of Papua-New Guinea in the post-war period. She is a UK Ministry of Food ship. 6,700 tons of copra is worth nearly £400,000. * THE only passengers to board the ship in Rabaul were Mr. and Mrs. George Orde, on transfer to Madang Native
Labour Department. We are told that Mrs. Orde’s menagerie was typical of that of any couple being transferred from one post to another these days. It included a mother dog and five puppies, Mr. C. D.
Bates’ puppy, crates of fowls, and a kitten. * A SERIOUS fire was averted in early September, by the prompt action of the Rabaul Fire Unit, driven by Sub- Inspector J. Palmer, when a grass fire broke out in very close proximity to the Chinese Public School. The school is in the centre of Chinatown. * HMAS AUSTRALIA arrived Rabaul Harbour on September 5, but her cruise, as far as local residents are concerned, is a wash-out. Due to an epidemic of measles on board she is still in quarantine, and therefore just cruised about the harbour and departed for Manus. Many residents lined the fore shore. ♦ COMMENCING on September 5, resi dents will have a much needed road transport service to Rabaul. A car will depart Kokopo each morning return ing each afternoon, Monday to Friday,
and on Saturday will depart as usual in the morning, returning after lunch. * AT the first RSL social to be held in Rabaul since the recent revival of this Sub-branch, Mr. Len Palmer presented his complete recording of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, Pinafore, that was much appreciated by music-starved Rabaul. Mr. Palmer’s humorous rendi tion of the story between records made the evening even more successful. We would now like to know when the next play will be presented.
Mr. E. V. Smythe, president of the Sub branch, in thanking Mr. Palmer, said that the RSL aimed by its presence in the community to make life more tolerable for all.