Rabaul Roundabout

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, June 20.

Philately Society

THE first meeting of the newly-formed philatelic society was held on June 12 at the home of Mr. Keith Armi sted of Rabaul.

Apparently there are a number of keen stamp collectors in Rabaul, and they have decided to form a Society. All interested in this subject are invited to contact either Mr. Keith Armisted. or Mr.

Graham, care of the Post Office Rabaul.

The Society also desires to make an appeal for used stamps, of any origin or value, on behalf of various charities such as the Crippled Children’s Homes, the Blind, Cancer Research, and other de serving causes. Any donations will be personally acknowledged by the Secretary, Mr. L. Graham, acting as forwarding authority.

King’S Birthday Celebrations

ONE of the most brilliant functions seen for many years in Rabaul, was the performance by native choirs, from villages and schools, given during the King’s Birthday celebrations.

The singing of these choirs, which has become an Island tradition, was better than ever this year in the opinion of old residents.

Adjudicators were Mr. Keith Chambers, Mr. Len Olive, Mr. Frank Mollinger, two pastors from the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, and two Catholic priests.

Winning village chior was Matupi No. 1, who also won the shield last year.

Village schools trophy was won by Nor dup, who after tying with Tavalui, resang, and won the shield.

Village Higher Schools was won, for the second year, by Velavulo. Boarding schools by St. Pauls, Vu Vu, from St. Marys, who had held it for three years.

Singing commenced at nine in the morning and continued throughout the morning. The grand march past, brilliant spectacle in colour—the boys’ lap-laps and school banners standing out brilliantly against the green playing field—took place in the early afternoon.

The Prefabs

THE first three Bulolo pre-cut houses erected in Rabaul are now nearing completion. They are being built on behalf of the Shell Company, as staff quarters.

First building is already occupied by one married couple. The second cottage is expected to be ready for occupation soon.

Quarters for unmarried men comprise the third building in the installation.

Dwellings are fitted with all conveniences.

Rabaul resident, Mr. Jack Allan, ex pected back on the Meleitai, is bringing with him another type of pre-fabricated house, purchased in Australia, for erection on his property at Kokopo.

When building is completed, Mrs. Allan, at present holidaying South, will return to Rabaul.

Kokopo Rifle Club

THE Kokopo Rifle Club held its first meet on the King’s Birthday holiday at Kokopo.

Meeting was opened by Mr. V. Penne father with a shoot off.

Results were: 100 yards shoot with four possibles, Mr. Peter Reid; 200 yards won by F. Towner, Peter Reid second; 300 yards won by Peter Reid; 400 yards by H.

Boyle, with the score of 20.

Aggregate shoot won by Peter Reid.

Trophy was presented by Mr. F. Dobell of Kokopo. Further shoots will be held each Sunday at 9 a.m. (See next page)

Training A Doctor-Boy

SYDNEY Cinesound man, R. Horner, arrived in Rabaul in early June to make a short film showing the train ing of a native as a Doctor-Boy.

This film will be shown in all countries and a special showing for UNO officials will be screened at Lake Success, USA.

Chosen to play the leading role was a fully trained Doctor-Boy, at present serv ing on the Native Hospital staff at Rabaul.

Film will show his progress from the time of leaving his village, his training, and conclude with his return to his own people, as a qualified Medical Assistant, who will be capable of looking after the health of his fellow villagers.

Red Star Rising!

RABAUL residents recently became in trigued with a istrange red istar, which appeared regularly in the night sky over Rabaul. Several residents observed the phenomenon and discussed it. Also talk was rife amongst natives, who also had seen the light.

It always appears at about eight every night, said the star gazers.

DCA officials, however, blasted their theories when asked if they too had ob served the slowly moving red star.

It turned out to be their small obser vation balloon which is sent up most nights at eight, forsaking wind observa tions. To the balloon is attached a little lighted candle, apparently enclosed in red glass, which twinkles as brightly as any star.

Soccer Association

ON June 23 the Rabaul Soccer Associa tion will charter a plane to carry a mixed team to Lae.

As guests of the Association. Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Macarthy will accompany the players.

Mr. Frank Mollinger, as official spokes man for the Association, said that interest in this first outside game had been so great that it was almost necessary to charter a second plane to accommodate everyone.

Farewell To Popular

Dorothy Stewart

RABAUL loses another of its person alities in Miss Dorothy Stewart, who left for Australia on May 28. having terminated her services as manageress at the Ascot Hotel.

Previous to joining the staff of the Ascot, Miss Stewart was known to every body in and out of Rabaul, as the licencee of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Most Terri torians remembered her from her early days in the country when she first came to visit her family in Samarai.

There is no one from the goldfields who does not remember her in the good old days of the first Hotel at Wau. Many a prospector who later “struck it rich,” was never refused help by Dorothy Stewart when he was down on his luck.

Now she is to leave us. We hope that she will, like Macarthur, return, as she always has done.

Under that somewhat grtuff exterior beats a heart of the purest gold. We can’t have too many people like Dorothy Stewart in any community.

Mt. Lamington Relief

THE Mount Lamington Relief Fund concluded its all-out drive for funds in Rabaul with an all-day Carnival and Sports on Jubilee Day.

Both Chinese and Europeans competed in races and tests of strength and skill.

Champion for the 100 yard sprint was F. Macrae. Tony Normoyle won the Throw-the-Cricket-Ball-Competition. The Mixed Relay race was won by Audrey Woods, Peggy McEvoy, Les Sorrell and Evan Smith.

Profit from the Carnival was satisfying; £27 was collected, and a big portion of

;his came from the profits at the cool Irink stall which drew a constant stream )f perspiring customers.

Second Vessel Ashore

|LTO wonder sailors are superstitious

W people.

Following upon the grounding of the ressel, MV Kelanoa, came news that the filler Salvage Company ship, Gona, had ilso foundered off the coast of New Ire and at the Island of Djaoul.

Timber vessel, Weston, privately owned, vent to investigate, and found the Gona veil up, with both props badly bent.

However, at high tide they were able o pull her off, and tow her to Rabaul, inhere she is at present on the slipway un lergoing repairs.

Some time previously the vessel was ad ertised as being for sale.

She was being used by the Miller Sal age Company of Bougainville, mainly for

he transportation of personnel.

Mr. Riordan Departs

POPULAR bank manager, Mr. Prank Riordan, of the Commonwealth Bank has also decided to leave for ►outhern climes.

He has been with the Commonwealth Jank here for three years, and will be reatly missed by the many friends he lade during his stay.

At his farewell party at the Catholic fission Hall, Malaguna Road, there was tremendous gathering to see him off.

Songs were sung in sixteen different mguages. This, one would imagine, to e an unusual occurrence in any part of tie world except perhaps Lake Success.

Good wishes go with Mr. Riordan from 11 his friends in Rabaul.

CHE engagement is announced of Jac oueline Palmer, only daughter of Police Inspector and Mrs. J. H.

'aimer of Rabaul, to Mr. Roy Park, of le Royal Papuan Constabulary.

AT the Masonic Hall, Rabaul, on June 2, Miss Louise Burrows was married to Mr. Jock Lee of the Vacuum Oil Company. Relatives of the bride and groom flew to Rabaul from Australia for the wedding.

THE New Guinea Club, wreathed in frangipanni, was the scene this year of the traditional Frangipanni Ball.

Blooms were massed profusely in trop ical splendour. Each lady guest, as she arrived, was presented with a wristlet of flowers.

Two songs, which were composed around 1938, and were sung at the first Frangi panni Ball, were performed by a choir, ably led by Mr. Dudley Jones.

The Prangipanni Blooms Again and The Citizens Lament brought many a nostalgic tear as the Befores dwelt for a few moments in the elusive past.

Rabaul is to lose one of its Bachelors Gay in the person of Mr. George Hill, un til lately Acting-Superintendent at the Directorate of Shipping. He is bound for Moresby, has been with us since early in ’46, and he will be missed.