Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, May 5.

SINCE January 1, 80 inches of rain have fallen and rain is still pouring down.

At 3.30 this morning squalls of gale force struck Rabaul. The Methodist Church was razed to the ground, one of Colyer Watson’s stores was unroofed, and the men’s quarters at the back of the PWD were badly damaged and flooded out. Telephone services are completely disrupted and most of the town is without power—caused mainly by trees crashing across the power and phone lines.

The famous trees in Mango Avenue, up to three feet in diameter, the majority of which survived the 1937 eruption and bomb damage during the Jap occupation, have suffered severely. Many are broken in half, as though cut with a giant scythe; others have huge limbs smashed off.

Lesser trees have been torn bodily from the ground. Mango Avenue is deep in slime and smashed trees.

All roads are in chaotic condition and our sympathies go to the Works and Housing Department, which must try to get, .some order out of this mess,., varo and bruises in the fall and, according to doctors, this had no bearing on her death.

Mrs. Conron was the Imother of two boys, one aged 4 and the other 15 months.

Her husband, a storeman in the Post and Telegraphs Branch, Port Moresby, was holidaying in Victoria with the elder boy at the time of her death.

THE Territory’s Public Service will get more pay and other benefits under the latest re-classification which is said to be in its final stages. Public Ser vice Commissioner, Mr. E. A. Head, told

storekeepers, who considerably overcharge the natives for their simple requirements.

The Europeans suffer as a consequence.

MEMBERS of the RSL, Planters’ Asso ciation, Chamber of Commerce and other residents expressed their satisfaction with the interest shown to their particular problems by the Minister of External Affairs and Territories, Mr.

Spender, during his recent visit, and look to the future with confidence.

In reply to the request for the imme diate appointment of a dentist at Rabaul, Mr. Spender stated that he would ar range to have two stationed in Rabaul.

One arrived in Rabaul this week. It is hoped that he will be a fixture.

A vulcanologist has also arrived and has commenced investigations of the vol canoes surrounding Rabaul.

Mr. Spender, in replying to the un animous protest from various bodies against the consolidated school, assured all “that there would be no consolidated school at present.”

ANZAC DAY was observed by a march of local ex-Servicemen, led by the president of the RSL, Major Smythe, MC. A ceremony was conducted at the RSL Cenotaph and upon conclusion all members adjourned to the Club House to celebrate in the traditional manner.

The RSL club is an established success and it is now proposed to erect another building which will house a dance floor.

THE New Britain Club, under the capable presidentship of Mr. J. Gil more, is enjoying a new lease of life.

The grounds and building have been con siderably improved.

VISITORS to Rabaul this week in cluded old identities Messrs. Fred Archer, from Buka, and Tex Mar shall and Lou Fay. Carpenters’ popular plantation inspector, Mr. Tony Corlass, has been relieving manager Max Lees at Ulaveo Plantation during the latter’s holiday in Australia. Lees re turns to harness next week and Corlass resumes his routine of inspections.

MISS FLORA GILMORE recently cele brated her birthday with a dinner party at her Nonga home. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Perriman, Mr. and Mrs. C. Normoyle, Mr. and Mrs.

Dix and Mrs, P. Chapman. Mrs. Perri man leaves this week for a holiday in Australia where she will shortly be joined by her husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have left for holi days south. Mr. George Clarke is re lieving Mr. Ryan as BP’s Rabaul manager.

The Territory of Hawaii paid 90,824,693 dollars taxes into the United States Treasury in 1949, thus putting it ahead of eleven mainland states in this respect. .

Some of the natives who, without Administration help, cleared the Rabaul-Kokopo coastal road alter it had been blocked by the earthquakes of October, 1949. The Administration had abandoned this road. —Photo by C H. Meen.