Madang Newsletter

From Our Own Correspondent

Madang, Oct. 30.

REACTIONS were mixed in Madang when it was learned that the pro posed Wau High School would not eventuate. Most parents seemed to prefer a yearly grant of £125 plus return boat fare once a year, instead of the school.

Reasons were several but the chief one is that it is generally thought inadvisable to bring children up in a native country or to keep them in the tropics altogether after they are in their teens.

Although the £125 allowance plus fare will cost the Administration real money, it is likely that it will, in the end, cost less than the building and maintenance of a boarding school.

HMAS Culgoa was in port for three days during the month. Tennis, cricket and soccer matches were played, a dance was held at the Club and local children were shown the ship. On the last night in port, officers entertained about 50 guests at a cocktail party.

MR. NOLAN Snr. has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. L. Nolan of the SDA Mission. At 73 he made his first plane trip—to Bena Bena in the Central Highlands to attend the SDA Conference.

His young grandaughters, Ailsa and Robyn, on the other hand, think no more of a plane trip than city children do of a bus’ ride.

THREE overseas ships and the usual plane services during the month brought an influx of returning residents. Mrs. K. Cahill and Miss Therese O’Brien returned after a long holiday in the UK and Europe. Mr. and Mrs. S. Clarke came back from leave in Cairns, with daughter Glynnis, Mr. and Mrs. A. Shields (he is Collector of Customs, Madang) with their small son returned by Malaita after nine months leave. Dr.

J F. F. Brown arrived to take up duties as local MO but fractured his foot and returned to Lae. Mr. A. Speers arrived to loin the medical staff as a Medical Assis tant. Mr. R. K. Hicks and his wife have been entertaining his parents, Mr. ana Mrs. R. H. Hicks of Western Australia.

AMONG those who went South were Mr. and Mrs. T. Warburton. Mr. J.

Sherry will be acting Burns Philp manager during Mr. Warburton’s absence.

The job of shifting BP’s store to make way for the wharf has begun.

Qantas staff are also being moved.

After months of waiting families are being moved into their new homes at Kalibobo.