Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, May 20.

THE second meeting of the Rabaul Advisory Council was held at the Masonic Hall, on May 4.

Discussing the official plan to remove the administrative centre from Rabaul to the new site at Rapopo, Mr. Perriman, representing the New Guinea Company, urged that a definite decision be given on this, and a date set, with tolerance of one year.

Mr. Perriman also spoke on the vital need for the reconstruction of the tele phone lines to Kokopo.

Mr. Brammell, ADO, suggested that the laying of a cable would be economical and a swifter way of establishing the line.

Mr. Whippey (Burns Philp and Co.) spoke with feeling of the necessity for clearing undergrowth and debris from town property. He said that certain areas }f Rabaul were a disgrace to any com nunity, particularly a European one, and le moved that the clearing of sites by )wners be made compulsory.

An interesting suggestion came from Vlr. Don Barrett, regarding the con struction of an alternative aerodrome to Vlatupi. He said that, in case of an ;ruption, Matupi possibly would be >bliterated.

Mr. Brammell said that evacuation Jans had been circulated among the )opulation; four food dumps had been organised; and areas marked off with phite drums for the dropping of food rom planes, if necessary. He said the [uestion of an alternate drome had not

been discussed, but the suggestion was an excellent one, which he thought should be given immediate attention.

Mr. Barrett suggested Pal Mai Mai, at Jacquinot Bay, as the most suitable site.

Most pertinent comment of the evening came from Mr. Dudley Jones, who sub mitted that the proposed move to Rapopo was merely a face-saving device on the part of the Government. He said that unless the move was authorised by the Australian Parliament, and provision made for compensation, many small people (who had been forced by the Government’s procrastination in making a decision on the site of the new town into erecting decent and permanent dwellings and business premises in Rabaul) would be ruined.

Mr. Dudley Jones pointed out that not only had some people invested all they owned in private enterprise in Rabaul, but many had borrowed money in order to set up businesses to earn their liveli hood. These people, he said, should be protected and compensated, and their position would be clarified if Rabaul was officially declared an unsafe area, and evacuation ordered.

A FAREWELL dinner was given at the Ascot Hotel on April 17, to Mr. Les Michel, by his cricketing friends in Rabaul and Kokopo.

Mr, Michel has been in Rabaul since 1946, when he served here in the Army.

During this time his guidance and help

to young cricketers have been of great value to cricket-lovers. He left Rabaul at the end of April, having retired from his position as accountant in the New Guinea Company.

There were 25 cricketers oresent, repre senting every cricket team in the area, and all subscribed to the wish that, since Mr. Michel in future would live in Port

Moresby, it would still be possible for them to meet him on the field.

Vale, “San Michele”! You will be missed —and not only at the cricket pitch.

IN aid of the Mt. Lamington Relief Fund Rabaul Swimming Club staged a spectacular swimming Carnival May Besides water jousts and tourneys which delighted the audience, several champion ship events were decided. From these emerged Bill Cohen of Kokopo as winner of the men’s open freestyle race. Lady champion was Mrs. Smith of OTC. The

entrants in this race appeared in gowns designed rather for the parade than “le sport.” Mrs Smith, in a strictly utilitarian and businesslike suit, carried the day.

TOO much tribute cannot be paid to the men of the “little ship” brigade.

When the Kelanoa went aground at Kandan, New Ireland, recently, during a spell of violent wind and seas, the SOS came through to Rabaul at a time when there was not a ship in Harbour which could be sent to her assistance.

But during the night the 85 ft trawler,

Matoko, under the command of Goya Henry, came in to port, after battling through the heavy seas outside, and turned back immediately to go to the assistance of the Kelanoa.