They're Singing The Songs

Songs of Burl Ives

From an AAP-Reuter Correspondent r'O old to go to school, but keen to learn, the native women of Sohano, Bougainville, recently urged the wife of the District Com missioner, Mrs. K. C. Atkinson, to form a women’s club.

As with other women’s clubs throughout the Territory, the Sohano Club’s activities include the teaching of written and spoken English, the instructors being members of the club who can already read and write; and demonstrations in hand crafts, hygiene and cooking.

Now the 40 members of the club are singing the songs of Bing Crosby and Burl Ives instead of the tradi tional church songs learned from the missions. The women are learn ing the songs from records played on the gramophone the club has bought.

The women, from different dis tricts and tribes, meet once a month.

Finance for club activities is raised from the annual membership fee of 5/- and the sale of basketware and prepared sea shells.

A club competition in housekeep

mg and home hygiene is raising the standards of living among the mem bers.

The competition is not only for the best-kept house, but for the best

provided for as well—so that a hou with a chance of winning must 1 well stocked with food and oth necessities, as well as being order and clean.