Madang Newsletter
pp. 86-87 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Madang, Dec. 1.
ABOUT 23 years ago a young girl, Miss Roma Bryant, went to Rabaul. Now, as Mrs. Charles Bates, wife of Madang’s District Commissioner, she leaves the Territory with the good wishes of friends throughout the Territory of Papua-New Guinea.
In Manly, NSW, Mrs. Bates will make a home for her eldest daughter, Patricia, who recently left school, Hilary and in fant son, David. Later in 1951, the family will be joined by Mr. Bates when he will take long service leave.
Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Bates was on the staff of Burns Philp, Rabaul; she was an active member of the Rabaul Dramatic Arts Society and among other talents, she numbered dressmaking, cook ing and floral arrangement.
She returned to Rabaul with Mr. Bates after the war. They were transferred to Madang about 18 months ago. On De cember 1 an afternoon party was ar ranged by the ladies of Madang, when an air-travel bag was presented to her.
AT a meeting of the local branch of the Public Service Association, it was de cided not to protest against recently increased hours of work. But members seemed unanimous in their decision that where the extra time had been worked by many as a free will gesture, making it compulsory savoured of a loss of freedom.
Comparisons with other Colonial Ser vices point to the fact that the New Guinea service rates low as regards hous ing, salaries and free servants, therefore it seems a peculiar policy to lower standards still further.
Senior men are staying here just long enough to qualify for their pensions; the junior men are looking out for more suit able employment; while it is unlikely that newcomers will join a deteriorating ser vice.
ON Guy Fawkes’ eve, the Club ran a well-attended ball. During the even ing a competition was held to de cide who was the most appealing wife and who the most desirable choice for a husband. Mrs. Tom Cunnington and Mr.
A. Robson came in as winners.
ANEW type plane, the Drover, suc ceeds the old Dragon in local Qantas service. With a higher ceiling and more speed the new aircraft is expected to be better for the unexpected hazards of the New Guinea Highlands.
THE Treasurer of Papua-New Guinea, Mr. H. A. Reeves, and the Chief Auditor, Mr. Gordon Farmer spent some time in Madang recently reviewing staff and general conditions.
FIRST week in November saw the un beaten Administration cricket team suffer its first defeat. Only District Commissioner Bates kept up the bowling standard of the Admin, team with 3 for 56.
Brian Krickenbeek scored 67 with some dashing batting in partnership with John Frazer with a score of 46. Apart from Jim Kernan (34) and Geoff Kennedy (35), the Admin, batting was weak. For Com merce, the best bowling average was Jim O’Brian’s with 4 wickets for 35. Final score gave the win to Commerce with a total of 157 against Admin’s 147.
Golf also is in favour in Madang. At a meeting, early in November, a commit tee of five, Messrs. C. Bates, R. John stone, W. Burdus, F. James and J. Es son were elected. Mr. Reg. Johnstone won the Handicap on opening day.
MR. DAVE REES, back from leave in Brisbane, says “I’ve come back for a rest.” While on leave his wife and son were admitted to hospital and he had to take the two younger children everywhere he went. The day after he landed he was on his way to Dylup where he will work on one of the plantations for NG Estates. Mrs. Rees and the children will join him in the New Year.
Mr. and Mrs. Hector Longmore, with infant daughter, Janice, go South on leave on December 18. He is local manager for Vacuum Oil. On their return they will move into a new Bulolo type house on Kalibobo, adjacent to the lighthouse.
TWO new roads are nearing completion on Kalibobo. They are an improve ment on the unfortunate scheme on the older road where so many homes front on to the backyards, garages, fowl pens and boys’ houses of the coastal homes.
Madang people still wonder why the beautiful waterfront cannot be utilised for residential areas.
The European Hospital still holds up, despite its wartime service and the fact that Dr. Mervyn Deland condemned it early in 1946. We wonder how soon the dream hospital, modernly equipped, with sound-proof privacy for the patients, modern conveniences for the nursing staff and better facilities for the medical officer, can be expected. Sister Kiernan has done a grand job in improving the appearance with gay curtains and paint but it is not big enough or convenient enough to suit the requirements of a district of 495 Euro peans. It is understood that plans for a new hospital are in the blueprint stage.
Nothing has yet been done on the new wharf but staff quarters for the contrac tors are nearly completed.
OVER the past few months there has been an increase in small boats.
Canoes, dinghys, sail boats and out boards star the harbour and the passage to Sek during the weekend and after working hours. Another increase has been noted in dogs and pups, who add atmos phere to the domestic scene with an oc
casional fight. Bicycles, too, are becom ing an additional means of transport in the area.
SITTINGS of Supreme Court in Circuit commenced at Madang on Novem ber 30. Chief Justice F. B. Phillips presided. A long list of cases—all native —were listed for hearing.