Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Jan. 31.

SINCE the severe earthquake In October, 1949, the coastal road be tween Rabaul and Kokopo has been closed to traffic. The tremor caused heavy landslides which effectively blocked the road for about two miles.

In the meantime traffic has been diverted to the so-called “Burma Road” which follows the hills that surround Simpson Harbour. The many war-time disposals vehicles which are owned by Europeans, Chinese and natives at Rabaul are hard put to it to negotiate the many steep climbs on this inland route, and already there have been several narrow escapes and at least one death when a truck capsized on one of the hills.

The Kokopo natives, and especially those who live in the villages at the side of the coastal road, have been anxious for the road to be opened but to date the Administration has not made any definite promises.

Then the village councils of Kokopo sub-district, with praisworthy zeal, de cided to help themselves—and the country in general. In December the councils collected some £9OO from the local villages and then informed the DO, Mr. J. K.

McCarthy, that they proposed using this money for re-opening the road.

The councils were informed that the Administration was not in favour of any effort being made in this direction; that a survey would be made during 1950, and after that a decision would be made. In January the councils again brought the

matter up and requested that they be allowed to purchase rice, meat and petrol at the Government price from the Gov ernment Stores for labour gangs. The DO informed the councils that no encourage ment could be given, and warned them that even if the road were opened there was no guarantee that the Department of Works and Housing would maintain it.

They were not, however, prohibited by the DO from going ahead with the scheme.

Ten days ago the councils acted with sturdy self-reliance. They purchased food from the commercial firms in Rabaul and started work on the heavy task of remov ing the tremendous amount of pumice which blocked the highway.

Apologising to the DO for ignoring his advice, the councils stated that they wished to make an attempt in an effort to assist the public and the Administra tion. The Councils were fully aware that if they succeeded, the road would be open to the public and all would be free to use it.

In ten days an immense amount of work has been done and there remains only one landslide to be over-come before the road will be open again. This is a large one and' it is anticipated that it will take another nine days to clear it.

On a recent inspection visit by the DO, 870 men were found at work shovelling pumice over the cliffs into the sea. The work was well-organised—Native-owned trucks carried the workers to and from the job and food kitchens have been set

Rabaul school children at the December break-up parties. TOP: European school.

LOWER: Chinese school.

Photo by Meen.

up. Normally, 200 men are employed, but on one day each week 700 men from other villages have volunteered to help.

AN earth tremor on Friday, January 13, followed by another on the 14th, re minded residents of Rabaul and Kokopo that the Gods of Volcano are not prepared to await the convenience of Ministers and Administration forever.

Because the people are now becoming expert at catching toppling crockery, etc., no damage was done, except to the nerves of many souls who prefer not to be buried alive.

In the meantime the Administration hopes to obtain the services of a vulcan ologist who will take up residence in Rabaul.

Mr. And Mrs. Dyson Hore-Lacy,

who were married last year in Mel bourne, made a hurried visit to their plantation Garua in the Talasea District, New Britain during the month, They have a charming home at Kallista in Victoria, of about 100 acres which is being developed into a prosperous farm,

Senator Roy Kendall A Former

resident of New Guinea paid an un official visit to the Territory during January to renew old friendships and take a brief glance at New Guinea in general (See elsewhere, this issue). He will be remembered as the pre-war cap tain of the Induna Star. Now that a former New Guinea man is holding office in the Commonwealth Government per haps we may look forward to better con ditions for the Territory in the future— we look to you Captain K.

MR. and MRS. R. SAVAGE, Kurakukal, Rabaul chose January 8 for the christening of their baby son, Gerald.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev.

Mr. Hand and the godparents were Mr.

R. Galway and Mrs. J. R. Keenan. As Mrs. Keenan is on her way to England, Mrs. J. K. McCarthy was her proxy.

MR. J. L. CHIPPER was the host at a large party held at the Island Paradise cabaret on January 5 to bid farewell to Miss Peggy Byron. Miss

Byron has been in the Territory for many years as a member of the Education Department. She spent the pre-war years in Rabaul, the early post-war years in Port Moresby then back to Rabaul, and has now returned to Moresby again.

Miss Byron will be missed by all who knew her, and especially her school pupils for whom her efforts were untiring. A hard worker at all times, she was the organiser of the Rabaul Junior Red Cross Group.

During the party a cheque was pre sented to Miss Byron by Mr. Chris. Nor moyle.

Miss Byron in dark frock at left.