Nutshell

In a Nutshell

Micronesia Census.—The 1973

census showed that the Trust Territory, on September 18, had a population of 114,973. The district populations were: Marianas, 14,335: Marshalls, 25,044; Palau, 12,674; Ponape, 23,251; Truk, 31,600; Yap, 7,869. Ship residents numbered 200.

The figures represented an annual average increase of 3.5 per cent since the Peace Corps census of March 26, 1967. One of the most significant results was a tremendous movement of population during recent years from the outer islands to the district centres AIRCRASH DEATHS.—Thirteen people have died in less than a month in light plane crashes in PNG.

The first, near Goroka on February 18, killed seven people. They were

in a Territory Airlines Cessna 206.

Two days later a Chee Air Pty Ltd Cessna crashed near the runway at Aseki, but no one was injured. An other Cessna owned by the Catholic Mission crashed near Aitape killing the pilot and passenger on March 1.

Nine days later a French priest, Father Jean Besson, known in PNG, where he had worked for 22 years, as the “flying priest”, died when his

single-engined Pilatus Porter plane

crashed at Kanabea on an airstrip he had built. Three deaths followed on March 13 when a Cessna 206 plunged among houses at Lae just after take-off. Killed were the pilot, Gavin Hoskins, of South Australia, a German woman and her young son.

No Polynesian Jurors. —

William Henasi Lasina Ilolahia, a Tongan student, claimed after he was found guilty in the Auckland Supreme Court of assault with in tent to injure, that he had been tried and found guilty by a jury of 12 pakehas (whites) in the city with the

largest Polynesian population. He

claimed he had acted in self-defence and for the protection of his wife

when he struck Ross John Stubbing in the face with a beer bottle, caus ing Stubbing to lose an eye. Mr Justice Chilwell said he did not doubt the sincerity of Ilolahia’s views, but he had to administer the law. He sentenced the Tongan to six months’ imprisonment.

A NEW IDEA.—Education as far as senior pupils at Niue High School are concerned has taken on new meaning this year. A special “work experience” programme has been introduced for boys, and involves them in spending a few hours each week working in the various government departments, and experiencing other forms of em ployment. It is designed to give the students a taste of working life as well as an insight into the type of work undertaken. For senior girls, there will be a new course related to human relationships, and child care. This will ultimately lead to actual practical experience in running a play centre in one of the villages.

Rescuer Rescued.—Tongan

boxer, Joey Santos, was rescued from a deep hole at Auckland surf beach, after he got into difficulties when trying to rescue three other people in difficulties. An attractive young life-saver, Vivienne Reimann, 18, dragged Santos to safety, while other life-savers rescued the people Santos intended to help.

Mr Kirk The King.—New

Zealand’s Prime Minister, Mr Kirk, was given a new name, Aumai Lelei le Igoa Ipu a Tumua ma Pule at the first Samoan royal kava ceremony performed in NZ. The title means he has been accepted by the royal families of Samoa. He is—in Samoan eyes—the King of New Zealand. A royal kava ceremony can only be performed by members of Samoan nobility, and involves much ancient Samoan mythology. The ceremony may split the Samoan community. Mr M. Faleauto, presi dent of the Samoan branch of the NZ Labour Party, said he had hac telephone calls threatening him wit! death if he held the ceremony. Thej were made by jealous rivals, whc thought he had no right to offer a title to Mr Kirk, he said.

Filippinos For Png.—It Seems

that Australia isn’t the only country casting a longing eye on the Philip

pines as a labour source. A team of senior public servants visited the Philippines in February as part of a PNG Government recruiting cam paign to fill staff shortages in essen tial services.

The initial emphasis is on finding teachers, but medical officers, nurs ing tutors, engineers, architects, technical officers and other skilled workers are also being sought, to fill about 200 vacancies that cannot be filled by the usual methods. Poor response has resulted from advertis ing in Australia.

The first group of recruits, on two-year contracts, should arrive at the end of April.

Community Centre.—The

Roman Catholic Church in Auck land will soon build an $BO,OOO Polynesian community centre at Mangere. The centre is the brain child of the Rev Father T. Brock man, chaplain in Auckland for the Catholic Cook Islands community.

He has worked with Cook Islanders in Auckland since 1965, and for eight years before that was in the Cooks. Father Brockman said it was important, socially, for Islands peo ple to have a place of their own, and to feel that they “belonged” in Auckland.

Rise For Teachers.—Ex

patriate temporary teachers in Papua New Guinea, who recently went on a two-day strike for more wages, have been given a six per cent in crease back-dated to November 12 last year. The Australian Govern ment refused to foot the bill for a daimed 20 per cent rise, and the six aer cent increase will be paid by the PNG Government.

VO FALL-OUT. —Radiation from France’s nuclear tests off Mururoa n July and August, 1973, had fallen o pre-test levels by the end of Dctober, the NZ National Radiation laboratory reported in February, fhe laboratory said recorded levels lid not constitute a public health lazard.

Varsity Grant Cut.— Fiji’S

’rime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Tara, says his government will scale lown its annual grant to the Univer ity of the South Pacific from an verage of 16.8 per cent to 11 per ent during the next three years. He 3ld a news conference in Suva that he government was facing financial tnngency and had to “cut its suit ccording to the cloth.” And the JSP would have to do the same. The ecision meant Fiji’s total contri ution to the university would rise rom $1,300,000 this year to 1,750,000 in 1977.

Common Sunday School.—

The Congregational Christian Church, Roman Catholic and Me thodist churches in Western Samoa have agreed to form a common Sun day School system. They will use a common curriculum and teaching methods.

BIG PAYOUT. —American Samoa paid out a record $870,000 in social security cash benefits in 1973. More than 1,500 beneficiaries now re ceive social security payments in American Samoa. The $870,000 was broken down as follows: Retired workers and dependants, $357,000; survivors of workers who have died, $378,000; severely disabled workers under 65 and dependants, $135,000.

Produce Prices Down.— Farm

prices dropped considerably recently in American Samoa. There were a few exceptions. Taro went from 21c to 15c a pound, breadfruit from 9c to 4c a pound, cucumbers from 40c to 12c and Chinese cabbage from 40c to 25c a pound. Bananas rose from 5c to 10c lb. A produce de velopment at Manu’a yielded its first taro recently.

RUGBY TOUR.— A Fiji Rugby team will make a 12-match tour of New Zealand in July and August.

The itinerary, which includes two “tests” against Maori teams, is July 24, Buller; July 27, Otago; July 31, North Otago; August 3, Canterbury; August 7, Marlborough; August 10, Waikato; August 14, King Country; August 17, Maoris at Auckland; August 21, Hawkes Bay; August 24, North Auckland; August 28, Wanga nui; August 31, Maoris, at Welling ton.

AIR CRASH PAYOUT.— Territory Airlines agreed to pay $1,500 com pensation to the relatives of three children killed when a Cessna air craft crashed in New Guinea on February 18. The airline manager, Mr Denis Buchanan said relatives demanded compensation soon after the crash was reported. It was alleged that they threatened violence if the claims were not met. He agreed to pay $5OO to each of the relatives of the children to cover funeral costs. Eleven people were killed in the crash.