Highlands

News From The Ng

From Our Own Correspondent

Kerowagi, June 14.

THOUGH the recruiting of Highland natives has been suspended, there still remain many hundreds of re cruits to be moved out from various centres. At Kerowagi there were so many awaiting transport that the local natives had no hope of keeping the necessary amount of kaukau up to the demand. To overcome the difficulty in supplying food, large quantities of kaukau were purchased at nearby airstrips and flown into Kero wagi, as much as 10,000 lb. being brought in in one day. Planes used in this “Opera tion Kaukau” were Dragons, and an Auster.

DURING the month past the superin tendent of the Lutheran Mission, the Rev. Mr. Kudor, paid a visit to most of his outstations in the Highlands. He was at Ogelbeng for the second big post war baptism held there —over 500 natives were baptised.

TO cope with the large amount of work, an Auster from Gibbes Sepik Air ways has been stationed at Goroka under command of Mr. Pat. Fainton. This has already proved a good thing for both the Administration—its biggest customer —and private enterprise alike.

MR. and Mrs. N. Blood, of the Nondugl Livestock Experimental Station in the Wahgi Valley, have recently left for South on a few weeks leave. Mr.

Blood expects to be away for about five or six weeks, but Mr. Blood will probably stay longer.

THAT the incidence of malaria amongst the Highlanders Is on the increase is shown by the large numbers of patients being treated for this disease.

One hospital which has come under the notice of the writer, treated over 100 cases during the past month, quite a few of the cases being confirmed malaria by micro scopic examination of blood films taken from patients before any treatment. Thus it would appear that “no malaria above 4,000 ft.” is a myth.

IT seems that the Highland native has not yet accepted fully the medical services which are available to him in most areas.

The following case came to my atten tion recently: A native’s baby became suddenly and seriously ill, and its mother wanted to take it to the native hospital just an hour’s walk away. Her husband refused his permission. A few days later, the child became unconscious and the mother, herself ill by this time, again wanted to go to the hospital. This time she received a belt over the ear for her trouble, and was asked by his lordship who would look after the fowls, pigs and gardens while she was away? She re plied that he could, as there was nothing else for him to do. For this impertinence she received another belt over the ear.

The following day the baby died, and was buried. The mother did not attend the burial, she was too ill.

Some days later, a Native Medical As sistant, on patrol, heard of the death of the infant and made inquiries. These took him to the sick mother, now herself unconscious. He ordered the husband to take his wife to hospital immediately, but she died on the way.

The native was prosecuted, and re ceived four months hard labour. Re leased, he went to his home hamlet, and found that he had no wife, no baby, no

gardens, pigs or fowls—the latter being stolen while he was in the calaboose.

Poetic justice?

The King has granted permission for the Suva Yacht Club to adopt the title of Royal Suva Yacht Club. This was announced by the Governor (Sir Brian.

Freeston) at a club dance on May 6. The Governor, who is patron of the club, made the application on its behalf dur ing his recent visit to London.