from the islands press

From Solomons Toktok, Honiara The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Honiara has not received any further information about the floating man who was picked up recently in the Indian Ocean. The man had claimed to be a Solomon Islander.

The man who said his name was Daniel Webster claimed that he is a Solomon Islander when he was picked up in the Indian Ocean.

From an editorial in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby The Government should get its funding priorities right. How can it justify spending K 1.5 million K 200,000 for the 19 provinces and the rest for Port Moresby to celebrate PNG’s tenth anniversary?

It is a slap in the face for such law enforcement agencies as the Public Solicitor’s Office, the correctional services and police, who are crying out for more money to maintain law and order in a crime-riddled community . . . ... No one denies that the anniversary is an historic and special occasion, but at such a cost?

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby Two provinces in the Momase region have hit out over their grants for the Tenth Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Morobe and East Sepik organising committees said the amount of KlO,OOO was just not enough.

The chairman of the Morobe celebrations co-ordinating commit tee, Mr Aineo Sengero said Morobe was a big province and he had told the national celebrations committee it needed about

Kloo,Ooo.

From Scene ’n Heard in Tohi Tala Niue, Alofi Eating dog meat is a practice that is frowned upon by Niueans.

There have been recent reports of dogs being killed, cooked and consumed by recently arrived visitors who are not aware that the practice is un-Niuean.

A friend of mine tells me that it tastes like a cross between pork and chicken.

From a letter by P. R. Sharp, Rabaul, in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Years ago when I met New Zealanders for the first time, I thought “what quaint, simple people these are.”

Many years later they have lost their quaintness and I realise that I over-complicated them.

From Uni Tavur, the students’ magazine at the University of

Png

Sausages, spaghetti, and cooked cabbage came bottom of the list when UPNG students were asked for their food preferences.

Fewer than one in every six said that they like sausages as served in the UPNG mess.

From the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga A 16-year-old youth who told a high court judge that he wanted to be sent back to prison because it kept him well fed has prompted a report into prison conditions for young offenders.

Justice Dillon ordered a report on Thursday after questioning Tana Pirangi who appeared on a charge of theft and two charges of unlawful taking, and has been remanded in custody to await the report.

From the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga All Northern group islands will soon have pour-flush toilets, said Director of Public Health, Dr Tamarua.

Equipment for pour-flush toilets at Pukapuka left on the last boat, accompanied by Public Health Inspector, Willie Teapa, and an assistant who will both begin their installation in Pukapuka.

A “For Sale” advertisement in the Tonga Chronicle, Nukualofa The Palace Office wishes to sell Jesus Christ statues to any interested persons, churches or organisations. These statues are made of special stones and can stand on their own at a height of one foot or .254 metre. The statue wears a white garment with a red robe hanging from right shoulder to left foot.

The selling price is only $lB (including air freight charges and customs duty). If you wish to purchase one or order some, please contact the Private Secretary to His Majesty in the Palace Office or telephone 21-000 for information and enquiries.

The latest energy-savinq system to be introduced to Papua New Guinea has gone into the islander Hotel in Port Moresby. Solar Energy Systems (PNG) Ltd., has been awarded the contract to instal a Zelos Energy Recovery System, made in New Zealand. It is a heat exchanger, the first of its kind in PNG, and is designed to capture waste heat thrown out by air conditioners and refrigerators and use it to heat water. Solar Energy Systems sales manager, Andrew Lush, said the hotel would save 65 per cent on boiler fuel and 10 per cent on its electricity bills. Grass Roots, however, had another view entirely.