Tropicalities

Agazine Section

J’Ll Know Them By Their

Jmerbunds (Turquoise

Is The Colour)

Gilbert & Ellice Islands leadquarters information Notes f late July it is stated that a merbund design has been roved for the Colony—“of colour uoise green (i.e. the colour of sea over coral reefs).” it they’re not on “issue.” The rtly turned out officer will have ind his own 32/5d (Stg.) and I it off to a certain firm in don, which has agreed to lufacture the item.

Vhat did we tell you in this mn in August about the hest Flung parts of Empire?)

It. Elmo’S Lights With

Square Portholes

E curious lights reported on two occasions by residents of Levuka and described as being liar, glowing with light from in, and having square portholes, ; been described by Mr. Arthur nson, an old Fijian resident, eing St. Elmo lights caused by s and static electricity. (PIM , page 59). ; said he had seen dozens of 1% particularly off the island Loro, from which direction the s had been seen. ; said he had seen some near aya and between Makogai and ika, sometimes in pairs. He stated that they are often in the riggings of ships and Dianes. it he had not yet seen one portholes, square or round.

Straight From The

Fo’Castle

TE in June, the New Zealand vessel Maui Pomare —also known n seafaring circles as The pom —was plodding her way ly south from Rarotonga, tern, and gaining, was the n Company’s new freighter oa on her maiden voyage; and d, and also gaining, was the member of the Pompom’s crew overheard discussing the matter a passenger. f course, they’re changing the pom’s name, y’know,” said the “She’s going to be renamed mie.” hat so?” said the passenger in ; surprise. “Why ‘Connie’?” hort for ‘constipation,’ ” said AB. “She can’t pass a thing!”

Dog Establishes American

Citizenship, Escapes Gaol

A SHIP’S OFFICER from the GEIC had an unusual tale of Canton Island to relate when he arrived in Fiji recently— a tale that would please no end a certain Mr. Van Campen (PIM Aug., page 155).

According to this seafaring gentleman, a minor international incident which caused tempers to flare happened not long ago at this atoll administered jointly by Britain and the USA, when a British District Officer, an ex-military policeman, issued orders that all non-American owners of dogs should pay 5/- dog licence fees into GEIC coffers.

An Australian dog-owner refused to pay on the grounds that he

was employed by an American com pany; he also claimed that his dog was a well known and well behaved descend ant of a long line of American dogs and bitches.

The Australian, in fact, claimed USA citizenship and protection for his dog.

He insisted on sticking to his points, so the DO, in true army fashion, arrested the dog and marched it to the atoll’s gaol.

But the dog was not a gaol bird for long. It was released by Americans, and returned to its Australian owner.

I n v e stigations followed, and it has now been officially declared that the dog’s pedigree is 100 per cent. American, and its owner has been exempted from paying for a dog lic e n c e.—

Jack Thorn

Ton.

Room-And-Bath At The

“Tarawa Hilton"

THEY must have heard about the minions of the Hilton group ivho have been cruising the Pacific looking for suitable places for tourist hotels.

An official notice from the GEIC Resident Commissioner’s office seems to suggest that there may be more comfort at Ocean and Tarawa for visitors in transit. The notice: His Honour wishes that the Transit Quarters at Ocean Island and Tarawa shall in future be re ferred to as Government Rest Houses.

In the past, these quarters have been somewhat lacking in comfort and amenities, resulting in a certain degree of stigma becoming attached to them. Recently, however, con siderable effort and funds have been expended on improving the facilities offered and it is hoped that officers who now have to spend some time in one of the Rest Houses will not feel their lot to be akin to a customer at Dartmoor. v July was a prolific month for fish throughout the Cook Islands. At Pukapuka a record tuna 6 ft 5 in. long and weighing 324 lb was caught.

Wearing his new beret and white "sleeves" this member of Royal Papua-New Guinea Native Constabulary directs traffic at the corner of Douglas and Musgrave Sts., Port Moresby. -Photo by papuan prints.