Sport and Social Life Are Not

Missing From Rabaul

IF residents of Rabaul and district, New Guinea, are dull and bored it must be their own fault. We have received many reports of social and sports events held there recently and run them, for convenience, into one section. With the ex ception of some notes on the opening of the New Guinea Club, the reports come from jut Rabaul correspondent.

(See Photographs, Page 11)

A FTER some months of reconstruction fV the New Guinea Club of Rabaul was re-opened with a social and dance >n the evening of September 14. The ;lub was decorated for the occasion in ts own colours—gold and green—and by i p.m. 80 members, wives and friends had issembled. This number was, of course, mall in comparison with those who rent along to Club balls in the pre-war lays. But, in the reconstructed club .ccommodation is still limited and mem icrs were allowed only one guest.

In declaring the Club open, Mr. A. J. •raskin, president, called for two ninutes silence in memory of those ormer members who would not return. ?he dance must, indeed, have had many >oignant memories for several of the /omen who were there—Mrs. P. Coote nd Mrs. “Tommy” Targett, for example, ioth widowed since happier pre-war days.

The majority of the guests were pre /ar Territorians, now past the lapper stage—the youngest men were pproaching 40, and only an odd ounger-set girl appeared in the crowd, he atmosphere was, however, informal nd happy. With an interval for a uscious buffet supper, guests, some of /horn had not danced for years, tripped nadly back and forth on unpractised eet to the tunes provided by a Pana rope until 1 a.m., and, at the end, voted t a most enjoyable affair.

Much of the credit for the success of he dance goes to Mr. Ray Galloway, the irst post-war member and secretary of he Club.

Although a liquor licence had not been ranted the Club on the night of its pening, this has since come through and nembers are now permitted to use the flub for this purpose between 11 a.m. nd 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Mr. Eric Pettison is at present manager if the Club.

New Britain Ladies' Club

rHE New Britain Ladies’ Club hopes soon to see building work begin on their club premises. The site elected is that of the pre-war Agnes Visdom Library, After much delay, imber has been delivered to the scene )f operations and construction is ex acted to proceed forthwith.

A carnical for the nights of October r and 8 was being organised, proceeds o go towards furnishing the Club when :ompleted.

Various games were to be a feature of he carnival —Hoop-la, Housie, Chocolate Vheel, Horse-racing Wheel, Crown and Anchor, Darts, Under and Over 7, and lomething somewhat more obscure with he delightful name of Esmeralda. In iddition, there were to be hot-dog stands, lake and sweet stalls, soft drinks, raffles, 3tc.

The Club, by its efforts, hopes to smooth the lot of New Britain women generally—and out-ports visitors to Rabaul in particular.

Rabaul Tennis Association

IN the first of a series of Association competition tennis in Rabaul on

October 2, Burns Philp “A” team defeated the Rabaul Club “A” team, 48 to 38 games, on the Rabaul Club’s courts; on the same day Carpenters “B” Team defeated Burns Philp “B” team 47 to 31 games on the Burns Philp courts.

Great interest was shown in these matches and it is felt that the Association competitions will revive tennis in Rabaul.

There are six teams in the Competition, the other teams being Colyer, Watson, and Rabaul Club “B” team.

The Committee of the Association is an energetic one and it is hoped that now competitive tennis is under way, even greater interest will be shown.

RSSAILA, Rabaul Branch

AT a General Meeting of the RSSAILA, Rabaul Sub-branch, three trustees were appointed: Mr. C. Normoyle, Mr. G. Renton, Mr. E. Britten. The committee moved, and the members ap proved, that Debentures be issued up to £3,000, and a company be floated to handle same for the purpose of pro viding funds to build the club-house.

A Quonset hut has been acquired from Manus and should arrive in Rabaul within one month; work of erection will commence immediately.

Since the revival of the Rabaul sub branch a month or so ago, the very active committee has made rapid pro gress. The club has now approximately 130 members, a dramatic society and a Ladies Auxiliary.

The Ladies Auxiliary held a Housie- Housie evening at the Administration Mess on Friday, September 23 —a most enjoyable evening was had, and a few pounds were added to the funds.