Madang Newsletter

Prom Our Own Correspondent MADANG, August 29.

THERE have been few startling hap penings this month. Perhaps the most interesting news item has been I the succession of visitors.

The two most eye-catching were the two Highlands natives brought down by ADO John Wakefield to give them an opportunity to see how their tribesmen working on the coast were making out.

While talking to a government official they managed to convey by handsigns and interpreters that they had lectured the boys about climbing coconut trees and swimming, as they knew nothing about these coastal tricks.

Dressed in full fighting uniform of plumes, nose and neck shells, dyed faces and net belts, with great tassels of foliage at the back, they attracted interest wherever they went.

Janice Longmore, aged three, was frightened but after looking down her nose a bit asked, “Are they Father Christ mas?” Another young hopeful wanted to know “How do they make the flowers grow out of their backs?”

A MONO European visitors were two Australian Parliamentarians. Mr.

Drummond, MLC, and Mr. Failles, MP, who were enjoying a holiday and tour through the Territory.

Prom Sydney came Major-General Stevens, General Manager of Overseas Telecommunications Commission, review ing and inspecting radio communications.

Accompanying Major-General Stevens was Mr. Franks, the Manager for New Guinea.

Mr. Koefod, Administration Land Valuer, spent a fortnight in Madang, carrying out land valuations.

The chairman for PCB, Mr. lan Mc- Donald, visited Madang while reviewing the general position of the Board in the Territory.

The Co-operative Society had its rep resentative in the District in the person of the Acting Registrar, Mr. C. J. Millar.

Mr. Millar was carrying out preliminary work in establishing Co-operative Societies in New Guinea.

We wonder if outlying districts will re ceive better services now that the Direc torate of Shipping has a representative here in the person of Mr. H. D. McGilvery.

Assistant Director of District Services, Mr. W. E. Sansom, was in town carrying out stores investigation.

SEVERAL acres of ground on Astrolabe Bay foreshore have been reserved for sports and club facilities. A golf course is being prepared and a swimming pool of Olympic size is being excavated.

Three tennis courts will be erected. All sports will be run by the Social Club and the one subscription will cover all sports as well as the Social Club.

THE Stella Maris, formerly owned by the Catholic Mission at Sek. has been sold to the New Zealand Harbour Trust. Both tugs, owned by Coconut Products Ltd., have been sold to a company from Northern Borneo.

Representatives from New Guinea are at present attending the Seventh Day Adventist Mission Camp at Bena Bena. Based on similar annual camps in Australia, this is the first of its kind 'in New Guinea. European and native representatives conferred in specially erected buildings. Some natives walked hundreds of miles while Madang group chartered a plane to take them there.

THE wedding of Miss Jill Sedgers to Mr. Brian Back, shipping manager of New Guinea Co., Ltd., caused interest. Mr. J. B. Sedgers, father of the bride, gave the bride away while sister Jac acted as bridesmaid with Janice Longmore as flower girl. Mr. Alec Ramsay was the best man. The ceremony took place at the Lutheran Mission. Afterwards about 100 guests gathered at the Sedgers home for a wedding breakfast. fJTWO resignations noted among local Ad-

1 SmorTtoreman Cl who

appointment Melbourne; Ind Mr It. J Westropp, Medical Assistant, who will travel south by the MV Malaita and spend a short time in Newcastle before taking up employment elsewhere.

THE Rev. A. A. Maahs, superintendent of the Lutheran Mission, in Madang,

and Mrs. Maahs and family, left by plane for a month in the Highlands in August, After photographing points of interest there, they will show films on mission life in New Guinea throughout Australia and Tasmania while photo graphing as they go—in caravan and car They will then tour India, British Isles and Germany showing films before pro ceeding to the United States, . PTER spending eight months on TB A work in the Highlands, Dr. Jamieson EuropliSs^TnatTvef 6 he *“ immunise Eur °P eans and natives, Sister Lowe arrived at the European Hospital to bring the nursing staff uo to three. Sister Kiernan, of Madang Hospi tal, will visit the Highlands shortly to give assistance to any of the many mothers and infants requiring her ser vices.

PROGRESS on BP’s new retail store is rapid; Mr. T. Huxley, the successful contractor for Madang wharf, was seen in town during the month. This suggests that work may soon start on the wharf. Colyer Watson opened their retail store at the end of August.

AT the inaugural meeting of the Public Service Branch in Madang, members expressed their views on the fallacy

held in Port Moresby that living in the outstations is cheaper than in the capital.

Most members felt that, considering the poverty-stricken condition of housing and electricity throughout the Territory, rent and electricity charges could be decreased to make some concession to the overburdening cost of living. It was de cided to approach other outstations to prepare and submit weekly statements of household costs to the Public Service

Board. As well, the clause that seniority should be considered only when all other things were equal, was discussed. One member pointed out that the judgment of efficiency was a debatable point particu larly when in the hands of people who had little or no knowledge of the officials’ ability. The officers elected were Mr. C.

D. Bates, president; Mr. A. Clark, secre tary and treasurer; and Mr. R. Johnstone, committee member.

TWO accidents occurred in the week end of August 26. In a jeep, Messrs.

Stan Cameron and George Thomp son crashed over a culvert on the Modil lon Road near the aerodrome: while Mr.

Ron Judge had a head-on collision with a tree in the Kalibobo Road. All three men were admitted to hospital.