Buka Passage

News Notes From Buka Passage

From Our Own Correspondent

Mr. Raleigh Farlow, Who

has been District Commis sioner in Bougainville, NG, left in May on transfer to Kaveing.

There was a gathering in the Sohano Club prior to their depart ure, to say farewell to Mr. and Mrs.

Farlow and to wish them luck in their new sphere. Mr. Farlow has been in charge of the District since September, 1946.

Residents were happy to welcome Mr. Malcolm Wright, who is to be our new District Commissioner. It Is generally felt that we are for tunate in having the services of one of his experience and energy as D.C.

During the recent war. Mr.

Wright did a fine job and well earned his D.S.C.

Mr, Colin Maclean, who has been in charge of the District pending the arrival of Mr. Wright, has earned the gratitude of those with business at Sohano by his pleasant and efficient manner in dealing with affairs.

As District Officer, he now re sumes charge of the Buka Sub- District.

Mr. Don Colley, district manager of Choiseul Plantations Ltd., has gone to Sydney for furlough. He is President of the local R.S.L. Sub branch. Mr. Macgregor is in charge at Soraken during his absence.

Mrs. M. Campbell, of Raua Plan tation, has been up on a visit but has now returned to Melbourne where she intends to reside in future.

The older residents miss the kindly presence of Mr. C. I. H.

Campbell, who was so well known over such a long time, in Bougain ville. His sudden death last Septem ber came as a shock to all.

Mr. Maurice Needham, formerly of Papua, has been managing Raua for the past 20 months.

News comes that Mr. Bernie Parer, formerly of Torokina, has purchased San Remo Plantation in the Talasea district from Mr. Ken Douglas.

Mr. Cyril Gleeson is prospecting in the mountains at back of Kieta and has hopes of striking some thing worth while. Mr. Alick Heatherington, at present in Aus tralia on sick leave, is his partner in crime.

Even if they do not make a pile, the cheery Cyril and dour Alick will get a lot of amusement out of ‘giving it a burl.”

mountain air 15 m ltself worth going after. tation, is Returning 1 trip to Australia, which has been most thoroughly earned. During the trying period of rehabilitation after the war the Ellis couple had much to put up with, but stuck it out.

He is president of the Bougainville Branch of the Planters’ Association of New Guinea.

M T

R. Kerry Leen, Mrs. Leen

and the younger Kerry are now well established at Sohano. The older Kerry is at present on patrol in the Buin Subdistrict, assisting in maintaining

the quarantine placed on that area as a result of a poliomyelitis out break.

An old Territory man now with us is Sub-Inspector Ron Clammer, who is in charge of police activities in the District.

A recent inmate of the European Hospital at Sohano was Mr. A.

Smith, who has been managing Tinputs Plantation for the past few years. He was ill for some time, but has now recovered and has gone to Australia for a change. Being one of a hardy breed it is expected by his friends that he will quickly regain his health, energy and en thusiasm.

Mrs. Elma Good is still managing her Kessa Plantation, in North Buka, with the energy and efficiency that earns the admiration of all who visit that nicely situated place.

It is no light task for a woman to put up with the isolation, lack of 'amenities and run a line of native labourers as Mrs. Good has been doing for the past two years.

There was a considerable gather ing recently at Sohano when meet ings of the R.S.L. Sub-branch and the Bougainville Branch of the Planters’ Association took place.

The meetings were held in the Sohano Club House.

Jack Ellis and Robin McKay were in from Kieta way, Paul Mason from Inus, and Mrs. E, Good and Fred Archer from Buka.

These people, together with the Sohano residents, gave the island a busy appearance.

Mr. Colin Maclean, as Adminis tration Official in charge, assisted greatly by making transport avail able for the outside people. This was much appreciated.

A meeting was also held of mem bers of the Sohano Club, of which Mr. Colin Maclean took charge as president. Ways and means of im proving the Club facilities were dis cussed, and the matter of erecting a new building was considered. It is hoped to make the Club a feature of social life at Sohano and to pro vide two bedrooms for visiting members.

EARLY in June, the copra shed at Kekere Plantation, 25 miles south of Kieta, was completely destroyed by fire.

The copra destroyed amounted to < 900 bags which were awaiting ship ment. The plantation is owned by Mr. J. M. Joyes of Iwi Plantation, , Kieta, but is managed by Mr. Geoff 1 Gaskell.

The cause of the fire is not known i but thought to be owing to the« carelessness of some native employ- ee, either with fire or a lighted 1 cigarette. Once well alight there € was no hope of saving either shedf or copra.

In view of the series of fires mi district conra dryers last year, those s plantations with big accumulationss of copra are feeling rather uneasy,,’ and are keeping as close a watchr as possible on their sheds.

Owing to the shipping shortages many olantations have had to makes use of'temporary buildings for stor age and that increases the risk ofl< fire.

Miss Diana Stanfield was married to Mr. Jim Grose. Thes. ceremony took place at Piera, thesj plantation home of the bride s parents in New Ireland. The bride a sister, Mrs. Peter Murray, waai matron-of-honour.