from the islands press

An advertisement in the Tonga Chronicle, Nukualofa A reward of $lOOO is offered to the person or persons who can give any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who have stolen fuel from the Paradise International Hotel Airplane whilst stationed at Lupepau’u Airport, Vava’u.

A list in Tohi Tala Niue of VIPs expected to attend the island’s celebration of its 10th anniversary of self-government.

At the present moment, the organising committee are expecting at least 40 guests ranging from Prime Ministers, Sir Sirs, Presidents, a Governor-General, Naval ratings, sailors and the latest addition to New Zealand’s Navy, the HMNZS Southland to attend the celebrations.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby The Prime Minister, Mr Michael Somare, will be the guest of honor at a luncheon of the Adelaide Commonwealth Club and the International Institute of national affairs on September 27.

This follows the decision to retain Senior Inspector Buckley larume in Chimbu and make him a police station commander in Kundiawa.

From the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro Here’s something to think about: a five gallon box of wine costs $2O to land in Majuro (five gallons equals about 125 glasses). Import tax is a whopping $75. Cost of glass of wine before tax is 16 cents, which means you gotta knock it up 500% to recover taxes, never mind making a profit. Beer is taxed at $2.68 per gallon, and soft drinks at $1.07/gal. I don’t know why the tax guys are so hard on wine especially since the Bible has so many nice things to say about the stuff.

We need cheaper wine to christen our boats.

From the From Around Town column in the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro Majuro is kind of unique in the fact that we have no addresses or street names or numbers. Turn right at the hole in the road, past the second pandanus after the 17 mile marker, or; the next house after the Ajeltake school. You know the pink house across from Bigler’s on the lagoon side or some such good information. Trying to give someone directions first you have to know how long they have lived on the island. Everyone knows Mrs Bing’s Restaurant but try to tell a newcomer where it is, there’s no sign except for you know between 7°N and the Chinese bank.

An advertisement in the Vanuata Weekly, Port-Vila Auto-Musculation, a knowledge in the use of facial muscle to delay the aging process. Course on this subject is being prepared for Nov. 84.

From a letter by “An Ovserver, Port-Vila” in Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila Tourists coming to Vanuatu are mostly middle class people, i.e., average people with average incomes. Not the very rich types to squander at first sight or do fancy things like going “into the bush” etc., etc.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby A Papua New Guinean living in New Zealand has sent in a clipping from a Christchurch paper. The Page One article, headed “Fear forces NZ couple to flee PNG,” is mostly

accurate. But one sentence is a beauty. It says: But whites did not buy meat from the stalls at this market (presumably Koki) because one of the stalls had been caught selling human flesh.”

From Te Uekera, Bairiki, Kiribati The Kiribati Philatelic Bureau offers for sale by public sealed tender the following property; A; 16 foot Aluminium Boat Watermark II equipped with two Yamaha motors (85 hp and 9.9 hp), CB radio and trailer.

Prospective purchasers please note that a recent survey indicated: 1. There is a leak in the hull believed to be a crack in a seam right under the bolted floor board. 2. The 85 hp engine has been submerged twice in seawater and does not develop full power. 3. The 9.9 hp engine does not run.

From The Norfolk Islander DRUGS . . . Police are well aware that marijuana is being used on the island and that it is being grown. Police are continually being approached and asked why are they doing nothing about it. This is rubbish as Police are as concerned about the growth and use of Marijuana on the island as is any other sane thinking person. To say that it is in epidemic proportions is to stretch the point considerably. However, it is being used by a number of young people and adults.

A letter signed by Caysime Rato, University, in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby I was very annoyed to see three policeman picking up three girls about 6.15 p.m. on June 3 at Waigani bust stop.

They should not be riding around picking up girls. They should be enforcing law and order.

These street girls should be left alone for playboys and girlie girlies. The blue boys are not pleasing the public, but annoying us.

From the Pitcairn Miscellany School News; This month Tania Christian began school bringing the roll to 14 the highest it has been for many years. A big welcome to you Tania. The older children have been enjoying experimenting with leather work. Several highly tooled wallets and belts have been made and the standard has been very high for beginners.

From the Marianas Variety News & Views “Editor’s Desk”

Labor Day here was a complete flop, so far as I can tell. I need to ask the governor this week why we follow U.S. holidays so closely, instead of really celebrating some local occasion. Why not have an annual FISH DAY, when we could promote the eating of fish in the Commonwealth? We could honor the fishers of the sea, have a fishing derby, hold outrigger canoe races, even have a fish-throwing contest . . .

From Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila While the Director of Public Works says, work on the first Government road construction ever on Emau Island, is delayed by a breakdown involving the bulldozer, a report from the island says otherwise. The island report maintains that the breakdown is a deliberate act of sabotage by angry spirits who prefer their peace and solitude to the roaring bulldozer.