Curios'-And some Yank Enterprise
p. 45 · Read in the full issue
A MERICAN passengers on the freighter Thorsisle, here in Lae on July 4 were notable for American enterprise.
While Thorsisle lay off Apia, Samoa, a Samoan in an outrigger canoe came padding along, offering curios for sale, including the usual toy canoes.
When he was asked how much he wanted for his own canoe he was taken aback a little, but quickly asked 20 dollars. He sold for 15 dollars, and transferred to a friend’s canoe. The canoe equipped with paddle and seat was hauled aboard
and stowed in the hold.
The purchaser, Mr. Oifutt, of Glendale, California, told us here that he has three children back home, and when he puts the canoe in his own private pool, “those kids are going to have one helluva time.’’
He also plans “a New Guinea room” and so equipped himself with ail kinds of trophies in Lae, includ ing bows and arrows and native carvings.
And in Lae, on July 4, this little bit of America celebrated Independ ence Day with customary fervour. — PR.