nation’s future

Stamps chart a nation’s future

Tuvalu’s 18-stamp definitive leaves no doubt in one’s mind as to where this new nation’s future lies in the ocean which surrounds its sun-bleached, sparsely-soiled atolls. The definitive series, issued on

January 14, depicts a variety of

marine life found in Tuvaluan waters, among them the yellowfin tuna on which the government is pinning its hopes for a major source of revenue.

Tuvalu’s other issues so far

this year comprise four stamps marking the bicentenary of the death of Captain James Cook and, on May 16, four stamps

depicting seaplane services

within the island group.

Tonga has destroyed the

plates to its 10 000 13-value issue commemorating a ‘dec ade of progress 1969-79’.

Norfolk Island released on February 14 a Cook’s com memorative set.

Aitutaki and Rarotonga post offices released for sale in February ‘official mail’

OHMS-overprinted stamps in cancelled form only. One won ders at the request to canvassed philatelists to restrict their orders to the ‘absolute mini mum’. Once again, the Cooks philatelic bureau appears to be indulging in overkill, a tactic which cannot enhance its repu tation.

Sir Rowland Hill, the man who gave the world the ad hesive postage stamp in 1840, is featured on a Republic of Nauru three-stamp issue re leased late last year.

Captain Cook’s voyages wfere also illustrated on the Gil bert Islands’ firstissueof 1979.

Pitcairn Island, with two stamps released on March 5, marks the 150th anniversary of the death of John Adams, the ‘gentle’ mutineer who landed on Pitcairn in 1790 with Fletcher Christian and his mixed party of Tahitians and British seamen. Adams, who outlived all the mutineers, was known for his honest, capable and gentle manner in the

leadership of his people.

Papua New Guinea’s second 1979 issue, released on March 28, in a set of four, features canoe prows and paddles. Its third issue, also a set of four,

featuring traditional forms of currency, was released on June 6.

Western Samoa marked the International Year of the Child with an attractive four-stamp issue on April 10 and followed this up with the first of two

issues featuring sailing ships

which have visited the Samoas in late May. The second is expected next year.

Niue released two issues within four days two airmail . stamps of $5.10 and $6.35 de nominations on May 28 depict

ing coconut husking and

coconut crab hunting, both interesting stamps; and a rather peculiar ‘year of the child’ set of four on May 31 which leaves one wondering

why the ‘appealing portraits of

young children from four great

paintings’ took precedence

over portraits of Niuean children.

On March 19 Fiji issued four

stamps depicting endangered

wildlife species the banded

iguana, the tree frog, the long

legged warbler and the pink billed parrot finch. In May Fiji issued four stamps marking the centenary of the arrival of Indians in the Fiji

Islands.

RH.