Boy meets girl-on a swing!

Playing on the swings is a popular pursuit all over the world. But photographer BRUCE ADAMS had a shock when he walked into this scene while visiting Tarawa in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Full-grown adults swinging young ladies about on a length of coconut string suspended from a tree, was something new to him.

PIM found out that traditionally a "nikiranroro" or unattached woman gets up on the looped rope suspended from a coconut tree. Then youths from the village take turns to give her a push—the idea being to see who could push her highest.

A youth can also, as demonstrated in the picture, further demonstrate his strength by grabbing the rope at the foot of the swing and pulling himself up onto the girl's knees. . . .

When this occurs the villagers believe that there are grounds for lasting affection between the two. They also believe that the action of the swing is "kamaiu", invigorating, and certainly plenty of fun.

When missionaries arrived in the Gilberts the practice was banned —but now in these "progressive" times, it is back in full swing. There is also a belief among those who know little of the game that something more than a kiss-and-cuddle goes on on that swing. PIM's authority firmly scotches these rumours and points out that in the Gilberts, sex is accepted without shame, but public demonstrations are not.

Boys from Sogeri and larowari High Schools in Papua-New Guinea visited Australia recently on a study tour. They had a good look round Canberra and Sydney and here they are (right) pic tured outside the National Library build ing in the capital.

Children of prominent Port Moresby businessman, Mr. Luk Poy Wai and his wife, were married on the same day recently and held a joint reception. They were Miss Lily Luk and Mr. Barry Smith (below left) with the parents, and Mr.

William Luk and Miss Jacqueline Freeman (below right). Photo by Chin H. Meen.

Dr. Stephen Kavana, left, is "absolutely adored" by the children of Ward 31 of Auckland Public Hospital. Dr. Kavana is a medical officer at the Tuberculosis Control and Test Clinic in Rarotonga, and is at present in NZ on a World Health Organisation Fellowship.

Right, opposite, Mr. Kevin Farrelly and Miss Elaine Bridle were married at St.

Mary's Cathedral, Port Moresby, recently After an Australian honeymoon they will live in Moresby. Photo: Chin H. Meen.

December last year was the 200th anniversary of the French explorer Jean de Surville's two week visit to Doubtless Bay, New Caledonia. To celebrate the occasion a plaque was unveiled by Commander in-Chief of French Forces in the Pacific, Vice- Admiral R. M. Behic. Among those watching were (from left above) Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral L. G. Carr; Professor John Dunmore of Massey University; chairman of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Mr. Ormond Wilson; Archbishop of Noumea, the Most Rev. Pierre Martin; Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland, Bishop R. M. Delargey; Bishop of Wallis and Futuna, Bishop Michael Darmencier and French Ambassador to NZ, Mr. M. F. Duflos.

Fiji's Minister for Communications, Works and Tourism, Mr. Charles Stinson, became the proud owner of a private pilot's licence in January. Right, he receives his licence from Controller of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mr. J. V. Verran. Photo Bindar Pal.