Ken Douglas Says

Farewell to New Guinea

From a Special Correspondent THERE was a notable gathering at Lagenda Plantation, Talasea, New Britain, on July 22. when Mr. and Mrs. R. Mars land, of Lagenda, and Mr. and Mrs.

L. Searle. of Walinati, combined to give a farewell party to Mr. and Mrs. K. C. Douglas, Mr. Douglas has sold his San Remo Plantation to Mr. Bernie Parer, and he and his wife have gone to Tasmania, their home State.

Mr. Douglas established San Remo over 20 years ago, and made it one of the show nlaces of the Territory. The bungalow has to be seen to be believed; it is made almost entirely from rosewood, beautifully polished and inlaid, cut on the plantation. The massive din ing room table which, after the war was found to be missing and was ultimately recovered adorning the house of a certain Luluai, is a piece of workmanshin in itself that would be the envy of many a southern craftsman. It is in keeping with the rest of the furniture made by Ken Douglas—beds, occasional tables, built-in cupboards, and chairs that are the envy of all who see them.

The San Remo flower and veget able gardens, too, are obviously the work of a master-craftsman, and are justly famous.

It is good to know that a mem ber of such a famous New Guinea family as the Parers has taken over where KCD left off.

One of the people who will more than miss San Remo’s founder is Rod Marsland, manager and part ner with Jack Thurston of Lagenda Plantation. Rod got his start with Ken Douglas on San Remo and says that Ken taught him all he knows.

During the war, Ken Douglas served with the Royal Australian Navy, and was a member of the

famous Coast Watchers organisa tion. His charming wife, Lettie, was a RAN nursing sister.

Among those who gathered to pay tribute and say farewell to this highly esteemed little family were Mr. and Mrs. K. McMullen and daughter Lois; ADO and Mrs.

Skinner; Father Hagen, MSC; Mr, Bernie Parer; Mr. and Mrs. P.

Phillips Veirke; Mr. W. Wells; Patrol Officer and Mrs. Tom Lea beater; Senior Medical Assistant Bill Bell; Medical Assistant G.

Cameron: Mrs. Mackenzie, wife of the captain of MV Stradbroke; and Education Officer Gordon Mc- Meekin. It was a party that will not soon be forgotten.

The Rev. George Nakaora, a Rotuman, was doing Methodist deputation work in Australia in August.

Over 2,000 young Samoans of American Samoa have petitioned the authorities for permission to join the armed services of the United States. A limited number will be accepted.