Native Grass Fires To Be
pp. 79-80 · Read in the full issue
“Controlled”
From Our Own Correspondent
Port Moresby, March 16.
NATIVE regulations have been tightened up to give the P-NG authorities more control over the lighting of grass fires by natives.
The official statement adds that the firing of grasslands for hunting and other purposes is a native custom, and that exercise of full control must be a gradual development.
This shows a nice consideration for native feelings, but how about a little consideration for private property owners whose holdings are menaced by this happy-go-lucky fire-lighting habit?
Action for damages might speed up the “gradual development” process. The natives themselves have shown a very shrewd capacity for claiming “damages,” even those incurred in their own defence.
Isn’t it about time they progressed to the second lesson—paying out claims.
Mr. Allan Russell, geologist of Port Moresby, was married in March to Miss Toni Kirkpatrick, of Melbourne. Miss Kirkpatrick is a well-known Australian mannequin.
Wing-Commander R. Webb, who has been in command of the RNZAF Station at Laucala Bay, Suva, has been trans ferred to NZ. The new commanding officer is Wing Commander K. W. Tri gange.