Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Nov. 1.

ON October 2, the District Officer, Mr.

J. K. McCarthy, and Mrs. McCarthy entertained the commanding officer of HMAS Culgoa (Lt.-Cmdr. Jerram) and Wardroom Officers at a cocktail party held at their residence. Later the same even ing the party attended an official recep tion and dance at the RSL club, which had been arranged for all members of the Culgoa. Lt.-Cmdr. Jerram and his officers were guests of the RSL Executive, at the official table.

At 11 o’clock the following morning Lt.- Commander Jerram, with traditional ceremony and escorted by a naval guard of honour, laid a wreath at the RSL Ceno taph. The afternoon was given over to sport, in which Rabaul played teams from the Culgoa at Rugby League. Soccer, baseball and tennis. Billiards and snooker were also played against members, at the New Guinea Club. That evening a cock tail party was held aboard Culgoa at which President E. V. Smythe was the RSL representative. Following this, an other dance was conducted at the RSL Club for officers and crew members who were on duty the previous night.

Also visiting Rabaul aboard Culgoa was Lt.-Commander “Snowy” Rhoades. Naval Intelligence Officer for South-eastern area, well known in the Islands as a former plantation manager, Coastwatcher and PCB inspector.

Culgoa departed Rabaul on October 4.

WE do not know the answer to the Oc tober PIM editorial—“ls the Spender Policy being Sabotaged?”—but we do know that since Mr. Spender’s visit, costs have risen. Who can afford 3/9 for a bottle of beer which holds only three glasses or 2/3 increase on each tin of 50 cigarettes? Last week butter was reduced from 5/- to 4/9 per lb. This week a fur ther decrease of twopence brought it to 4/7. This does little to relieve the situa tion, however. We understood that it would be reduced by at least 6d. per lb.

Whether it be that costs have risen in Australia or that the retailer is reap ing the benefit, the fact remains that the housewife is still the sufferer, irres pective of any “policy.”

MR. D. BARRETT, President of the Planters’ Association of New Guinea, has arrived back in Rabaul following his visit to Canberra with Messrs. H. T.

Allan and E. T. Pulton. These planters’ representatives met Under-Secretary Howes and demands were made for higher copra prices as detailed in the October issue of PIM.

AN informal dance held at the New Guinea Club on October 14, coincided with the arrival of the Naval deep sea tug HMAS Reserve. The Command ing Officer, Lt. Stevens, and other officers including Commander Kennedy from Naval Base, Manus, were entertained as guests of the Club.

RABAUL is now in its third month without rain. Never has the place presented such a dry and “burnt off” appearance. Dust is more prevalent than ever, mostly from the roads. Whether it be shortage of equipment or labour, Works and Housing do not seem to be able to fulfil their promise to seal the roads with gravel and thus minimise the dust hazard.

ALTHOUGH the Papua and New Guinea Volunteer Rifles have been estab lished at Moresby and Lae, Rabaul has received no notice of the formation of the unit in this area. The Rabaul RSL offered the use of portion of their club premises for this purpose, and this was gratefully accepted. However, no further details have been forthcoming from Northern Command.

DURING October, the Ascot Hotel opened in Mango Avenue, Rabaul.

Well-known Territorian, Miss Dorothy Stewart, is the capable manager ess. The building is tastefully finished and maximum use has been made of glass louvres, thus ensuring coolness. When completed, the hotel will fulfil a long

awaited want in providing accommoda tion.

A COURT case of unusual interest to Rabaul took place in Moresby at the latter part of the month. Mr. A.

Gaskin, sole surviving trustee of the Rabaul Anzac House Trust Fund, applied

to the Supreme Court for a direction as to the disposal of these funds (approx. £3,500) which are at present held in the name of the Rabaul Sub-Branch of the RSL. Mr. Dudley Jones appeared for the latter organisation, and Mr. Cromie for ivir. GasK.in. Although the judge reserved his decision, it is anticipated that the ultimate direction will be satisfactory to all concerned.

Mr. M. J. Forster, who entered the Colonial Service in 1939 as a Cadet Administrative Officer in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and has served in the Solomons throughout his career, has been transferred to the Malayan Administration.

Lower Bulolo May Wind Up

PIHAREHOLDERS of Lower Bulolo Gold Dredging Co. N. L. and of Lower Bulolo Gold Dredging Co. No. 2 N.L. will be asked to consider proposals to wind up the companies voluntarily.

Archbishop Duhig (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane), who returned recently from a four months’ tour over seas, said that Australia’s immigration target should be stepped up with special emphasis on migrants to populate and develop New Guinea. Something must be done in New Guinea quickly, he said, as it was going to be a serious problem for Australia.