A flag

for all the islands

The South Pacific Conference, meeting in Noumea in October, studied the designs on this page for a South Pacific Commission flag. They were among 450 designs submitted from all over the Pacific in a competition organised by the SPC. The conference awarded first prize of $A100 to No. 427, submitted by Rick Welland, of Rarotonga, and second prize of $A30 to design No. 1, submitted by the Rev. B. G. Thorogood, also of Rarotonga. Another of Mr. Thorogood's designs, No. 12, was third in preference, and Viliami Pomale, with design No. 179, was fourth. He comes from Havelu, Tonga. All these designs are mainly in blue and white. Despite these selections, the conference liked an idea submitted by Mr. Andre Henry, of New Caledonia, No. 444 (see left) and wants his idea to be considered as a basic one for the flag. Mr. Henry's design shows a white circle on a pale blue ground, and there are gold stars along one section of the circumference, representing each of the participating governments. Mr. Henry suggested a cypher might be added to the design. An idea by Mr. Kodep Kloule chad, of the Western Carolines, may also be incorpo rated in the final flag. The Commission itself will make the decision on the flag.

Back in New Guinea again after a 15-month world holiday with his wife Doreen, is Rabaul businessman Mr. Joe Russo, above. Below, August Hettig, of Nukualofa, took this picture of a Tongan girl in a traditional dance. At right, Miss Jeanette Powell, formerly of Suva, photgoraphed at a social night for the Islanders' Association of Sydney.

Two Papua-New Guinea soccer referees have been appointed to the international list of referees, bringing the territory's representation on the list to six. The new referees are Mr. R. Wyse, left, and Mr. W. Schmidt, right. Both are from Port Moresby. They are photographed above with Mr. R. Strachan, P-NG national referees' secretary. Chin H. Meen took this photo and the one at left.