Tropicalities

Pacific Islands Monthly

Magazine Section

He Cycle Of The Microbe

JHERE may be something for , medical science in these para graphs from Return to the 'ands, just published, in which r Arthur Grimble describes cou pons on Ocean Island 30 years o.

T never saw a new draft of re nts from Hong Kong (brought to work the phosphate deposits) at failed to arrive in the pink of Qdition—or omitted to bring with an influenza germ of peculiar ilignancy. When the newcomers ided, the order of events never ried.

Almost at once the entire popula n of Gilbertese labourers would appear into hospital.

A week or so later, the British osphate Commission’s staff of ;y odd Europeans would succumb, masse , with their wives and nilies.

The eleven hundred Ocean anders, in their beautiful villages, uld follow.

Last of all, when everyone else i forgotten what it felt like to ill, came the turn of the wretched le Government staff.”

How They Did It Then

fE’RE not sure, but the moral to this item extracted from the columns of the Port Moresby yuan Courier (now defunct) of ne 1, 1934, probably is that ther national nor international pards change their spots. Or it ild be a moral for the con ciporary NG patrol officer, such “If you’re going to shoot ’em is, shoot the lot!”

Will League of Nations Ask For planation of Shooting of New inea Natives?” was the heading the item, which continued: Fears ; held in official quarters in Can •ra that the Government may be led upon by the League of Nations the explanation of the shooting a number of natives in NG in bruary by an official party de itched to arrest certain native irderers, says an Australian news ier.

Jnder the mandate by which stralia controls the Pacific terri ies, she is responsible for the well ng and the proper care of the tive inhabitants. lecently, Bernard McGrath, a

prospector, was murdered by a tribe of natives who are admitted by the Administration to have been partly under control and to have been of a peaceful disposition.

It is suggested that the official reports convey evidence of provoca tion which may account for the murder, as a native was shot by McGrath while McGrath was searching for missing stores.

A police party sent to make in vestigations was attacked by the same natives, with the result that 13 natives were killed and 17 wounded. Although it is admitted

that the police party was justified in defending itself when attacked, the casualties are regarded in official quarters as being unduly high.

It is feared that when the reports reach Geneva the erronious im pression may be created that a punitive expedition was despatched by the authorities.

A Handbook About Colony

Of Fiji

rPHE handbook, Colony of Fiji, JL which has been published irregularly since 1924, is out again. Again, it has a striking cover, and contains many excellent photo graphs, the work of Rob Wright, of the Fiji Public Relations Depart ment.

The book provides an accurate summary of the history of the Colony, and a description of its ad

linistrative organisation, peoples nd conditions generally. The most ecent work of editing and revising le extensive text was carried out y Ravuama Vunivalu; and the rovernment Printer has excelled imself in the production.

British Royal Friendship

For Queen Salote

IALOTE of Tonga has a unique position in the world—she is a queen, accepted and unchalnged, and yet she is the loyal ibject of Queen Elizabeth 11, of re British Commonwealth. Tonga a Protectorate within the Comionwealth: but, except that a ritish “adviser” lives in Nukualofa, is completely free and indepensnt - There is warm friendship between le Queens—it has grown since alote attended the coronation of lizabeth 11, sat upright and smiling i her car while the London rain jlted down upon her—and became imediately the focus of the Lonm crowd’s delighted attention. izabeth II and Philip paid a special

visit to Nukualofa when in the South Pacific five years ago. when the Queen Mother was in New Zealand, there was a special dinner party at the Governor- General’s residence, where she stayed; and the guests of honour were Queen Salote (who has been living in Auckland for a few weeks) and her daughter-in-law, Princess Mata’aho (wife of Prince Tugi, heir Tongan throne).

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Chinese Puzzle

IN Lae, New Guinea, there is a 1 chap with a Chinese name who isn’t Chinese, but lately he’s been having difficulty in convincing the post office of it.

He g o £ a i e tter the other day which was addressed to him care of a box number, but which ended up in the Chinese Club. The club obligingly passed the letter on, and along the way somebody suggested he might also like to visit a certain Chinese store in Chinatown, where he might find something to ad vantage.

He did that, and among a heap

of letters on the counter he found) two more of his own—they had beem posted three months before in Port' Moresby, which is about an hour’s flight across the range.

It seems that Chinese store is. used as a kind of unofficial post*, office for residents of Chinatown: who have no box number. As there is no postal delivery in Lae, the system works quite well, and every body is happy—except the European: gentleman with the Chinese name.

Good Old Dad

KEITH SMITH, an Australian: radio identity who specialises in adult-like interviews withi children—usually very successfully—

was in Fiji recently to do a show.

His interviews made good listen ing in Australia, where they weres broadcast over commercial stationss —but at least one interview alsoc brought the house down for the Fijii audience.

This was when Smith beganr quizzing a bright little girl on hen home life. Among other things, shes admitted to being naughty occasion ally.

“You get a smack when you’ree naughty?” asked Smith. “Yes, some times,” she agreed.

“Does Daddy do it?” asked Smith..: “Yes,” she said.

“And what job does Daddy do?”" asked Smith.

“He’s the Governor!” replied Juliaf Garvey, youngest daughter of Sin Ronald Garvey.