Rabaul Roundabout

Prom Our Own Correspondent

RABAUL, March 1 PUT PUT, discovered by Parkinson in 1884, and to-day one of the largest plantations on New Britain, is to change hands.

I In the possession of the well-known [Gilmore family for over twenty years, it Is now to become the propertly of the Catholic Mission. It is valued at about £70,000. i Having sold the plantation, the elder [Gilmores, Flo and John, have presented 'their two vessels, the 85 ft. ketch Lady [Josephine and the smaller Gawa, plus [a substantial cash settlement to their two sons John and Graham. Mr. and Mrs.

Gilmore Snr. will take a well-earned rest in an overseas trip when conditions are suitable.

WE received an interesting letter this week from a frustrated foreigner, living in Rabaul, who finds our ways beyond comprehension. I give it to you as he wrote it . . .

“I am a foreigner in a foreign country, with a very bad foreign habit of liking to build things up, and I find pleasure in do ing so. But take Rabaul—What has been done to improve the remnants of war. Not much! It is so easy to blame the Govern ment but much could have been done by the population. And the only obstacle is lack of co-operation because one is frightened about what his neighbour is ?oing to say.

“I started a soccer association and in cluded Chinese and Malay teams in the 3ody. For over six months I battled along vith three European players as being the mly European team. It was not that ;here were not enough soccer fans, but nerely because a whispering campaign vas held that I was associating with Chinese and Malays. The eye was not ‘ocussed on the sporting side of the whole natter but only on the social side. I hink this is very childish if not poor ittitude towards sport and co-operation n general. Why does someone have to vait and see what his neighbour is going 'O do? I know that there .are befores and )ehinds but both are anxious to see things foing smartly. Well then, why not throw iway that hang on attitude and come .ogether and see what can be done about naking Rabaul a model place with an detraction for outsiders to come here?”

A SILENT poll over the telephone wires in Rabaul during a recent blitz on subscribers, revealed that 95 per cent. )f residents when using the phone ask or names, not numbers.

We have been spoilt by those charming elephone girls who knew all the numbers, x was a comfort when looking for that elusive telephone book. But if you cannot md your book now all you’ll get from the lavages manning the switchboard is that )land, dead-end remark, ‘‘Me no savee.’

A N important meeting of Rabaul citizens tx was held in the District Office on March 2, to form a working com nittee for raising money for the Laming on Disaster Relief Fund.

From the 28 persons present, including epresentatives from the Chinese and Kalay communities, Mr. Frank Riordan the Commonwealth Bank was elected •nairman, with Mr. Roy Galloway, secretary and Mr. Bernie Ryan, BP

Manager, Treasurer.

w P rking committee of eight was then ;?i Cte V consistin g of Mrs. Mildred Cos- Theßevercnd Mr. Lewis, Father Williams J. Chipper, N. Holland, Mollmger, and E. Smythe. ihe concluding date for the all-out

drive was fixed at May 1, and many excellent suggestions were handed in, beginning with a carnival which always brings in big money, a car raffle, sports day, tennis, soccer, swimming and bridge tournaments, and also a mock police day

on which residents would be charged for mock traffic offences.

An interesting point was raised by a Committee member who said that many people of Rabaul wanted assurance before they would contribute any money to the central fund, that it would not be diverted to a certain section of the native com munity of the area, who were of unsavoury reputation, particularly with regard to their war-record. (Continued next page)

In reply Mr. Macarthy, District Com missioner, said that the natives referred to, who had already been heavily punished for their war crimes, were not in any case affected by the eruption of Mt.

Lamington, being out of the area, so could not possibly be included in any benefits from the Central Fund.

With this assurance the Committee agreed on an intensive co-operative effort.

Mr. Sorrell, an accountant from the Department of Works and Housing said

that he had already collected £3O that afternoon with a promise of £45 from another member of the Department, and said that Works and Housing personnel had already arranged to have a Sports day and that the proceeds from this would be devoted entirely to the Lamington Fund.

Mr. Thomset of New Guinea Co., Mr.

Dever of SDA Missions, and Mr. Mac- Mullen of Bank of New South Wales sent their apologies for not being at the meet

ing and assured the Committee of their full co-operation.

THE age when women lived on pedestals and all their secrets of the toilet were inviolate, lives on in one masculine heart in Rabaul.

During stocktaking at a local store, the store manager could not understand whj the new hand was stocktaking up toi underneath, and around, a certain sectior of the shelves. Something odd here, he told himself, and asked the young mar why he was avoiding that particulai portion of the stocktake.

“Sir,” he replied, standing stiffly a' attention, “there are some things we will not stocktake.”

The tambu area was the brassiere anc scantie department.

ONE of the most delightful places yoi 'may visit in Rabaul is the new Clul House of the Rabaul Women’s Club Now members may bring their friend to the Club for morning, afternoon teas and luncheons all at very reasonabl prices.

It is also of particular interest t> Country Members to note that two room are now available for occupation, and ma; be booked by visiting members at th<. small cost of ten shillings per night.

At a general meeting of the Club thi month, office bearers were elected fo the coming year. They are Mrs. Mildre' Costello as President, Miss Audrey Woodl as Treasurer and Miss Loran Carey a Secretary.

It was unanimously agreed to call thi Club in future the Rabaul Women’s CluH not the Ladies Club, as hitherto.

THE Rabaul Soccer Association close; its round of competition matche 'with a victory for the Red Dragon:

After the play finished Mrs. J. K.

Macarthy, wife of the DC presented the cup donated by James Chung to the winners.

Mr.Macarthy then spoke to the gather ing of over 500 people, and congratulated all teams and wished them luck for the Mr. Prank Mollinger who is a promoter and a keen supporter of the Soccer Asso ciation, said that application had gone forward to the Olympic Games Committee to admit the association to the games represented by a combined Papua-New Guinea soccer team. 1 He also said that the Association hoped to form both baseball and football teams as soon as their new fields were ready.

THE engagement has been announced of Miss Helen Louise Burrows to Mr John Cairns Lee.

Lare popular members of the staff of New Guinea Company, Rabaul.