Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul. Oct. 3.

MR. D. BARRETT, president of the Planters’ Association of New Guinea, accompanied by Executive member, Mr. E. T. Fulton, flew to Sydney early this month to present a case to the Federal Government for higher prices for copra. Colonel H. T. Allen, at present in Australia, will join Messrs. Barrett and Fulton in their representations.

AT the annual general meeting of the Rabaul RSL Branch on September 26 an interesting and lengthy dis cussion took place on the formation of native units in the Territory. The majority of speakers were old residents and, in most cases, had served as front line soldiers in New Guinea in the recent war. It was finally resolved as follows: “That this body strongly urges that the Federal Government do not form native units in the territory of New Guinea with out close study of the organisation ne cessary and, in particular, of the proper officering of the units by European resi dents of the Territory experienced in deal ing with natives. It considers that the Papua and New Guinea Volunteer Rifles should be a training corps for officers and NCO’s of the native units.”

DURING the day the Rabaul telephone exchange is operated by two Malay girls whose efficiency and courtesy leaves nothing to be desired. However, their duties finish each afternoon and the switch is then manned by natives.

Subscribers are highly indignant at the poor service given by these boys. Com

plaints have been made to the appropriate authorities who explain that the position is due to the shortage of competent tele phonists and until they are forthcoming, nothing can be done to improve the ser vice.

MR. DUDLEY JONES defeated Mr. C.

Ashley at the New Guinea Club, in the play off for the billiards cham pionship, during the month.

Due to ill health, Mr. Eric Petterson has resigned as manager of the New Guinea Club. His successor is Mr. Arthur George, an ex-Squadron Leader.

Mr. A. Finn has undertaken the management of the RSL Club. The affairs of the club have so increased that a sub manager, Mr. J. McKinaly, has been ap pointed.

COLYER WATSON are to be congratu lated on their enterprise by intro ducing a town delivery service. Two modern vans are in use and the service is proving a bDjn to Rabaul housewives.

DURING September at the Namanula General Hospital a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. W. Moore of Kokopo.

FOLLOWING on the Lautoka and Suva, the Bulolo arrived from Australia, and clearly showed up the Customs shed’s inadequacy to handle huge volumes of cargo. The shed was packed to capacity and presented a problem for those desiring to take delivery of their goods.

Another regular shipping visitor to

Rabaul is the modern freighter, Viria, on charter to the Vacuum Oil Company.

It carries bulk products from the Lae bulk installation.

AT approximately 8.30 p.m. on Septem ber 9 Rabaul and Kokopo were se verely rocked by an earth tremor of intensity five to six. Thirty tremors of lesser intensity continued throughout the night and Sunday morning. Mr. A.

Taylor, the vulcanologist, inspected Matupi, Vulcan and other surrounding craters and reported that all were normal.

Although no damage occurred, residents experienced a very anxious night.

COMMEMORATION DAY was observed in Rabaul by a service at the Anzac

House Memorial in the morning, and with a ball at the RSL Club Rooms in the evening.

AS no further supplies of bitumen are , forthcoming, Works and Housing De partment are endeavouring to keep the roads in a reasonable state of repair by the use of gravel from local pits. Work is still progressing on the Tunnel Hill es cape road but the shaving-down of the hill has proved a difficult undertaking.

EXCEPT for a heavy but short down pour which temporarily eased the water shortage, Rabaul has been without rain for two months; sore throats and dengue fever are prevalent.

MEMBERS of the New Guinea Club proceeded by boat and road to Ko kopo, for a sports meeting during September. Tennis, billiards and snooker were played against members of the Ko kopo Sports Club. The Rabaul Rugby League played Kokopo at the same time.

The visitors were the winners in most games.