from the islands press

From the American Samoa News Bulletin, Pago Pago The police of American Samoa, firemen, and the correctional guards have been warned about their weight. Assistant Public Safety Commissioner Malua Hunkin received complaints about our public safety officers. “They’re too heavy”, was the main complaint. The Department of Public Safety has developed a program to solve this problem. The officers that are too heavy must lose at least five pounds every month to remain on the force, if not, they simply get cut. But, need not worry, the Office of Public Safety has designed a physical fitness training program on Mondays and Fridays from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. This exercise program is to help train and trim officers to rules and regulations according to the Office of Public Safety.

From a letter by M. Dona, Korobosea, in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby I am not happy about higher bus fares.

The Transport Minister should investigate because the buses need a good wash down.

Owners can’t be bothered to repair the seats, even though there are big holes in the cushions. The windows are dusty and the floor is dirty not forgetting the black smoke from the exhaust.

We want clean and comfortable seats if we are being charged more.

From the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga Police on Tuesday apprehended seven juveniles, whose ages range from seven to fourteen years, on four charges of burglary in the Takitumu area. Some of these juvenile delinquents will appear before the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.

A correspondent “Concerned Law Enforcer” Tabubil, writing in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, suggests a treatment for rapists and robbers I like Mr Somare’s proposed Bill.

But I would like an amendment so if a person is convicted of rape or serious robbery the judge could give a court order to extract both eyes.

What part of our body makes these criminals go around committing crimes? The eyes.

In my village, once a pig breaks through a garden fence, the owner melts a six inch nail and cooks both the eyes of the pig. The poor pig doesn’t break the fence again.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby Some criminals are still defying the state of emergency in Port Moresby, according to the latest police reports.

Break-ins, armed robberies and theft were still taking place despite the special police and Defence Force operation, a police spokesman said yesterday.

The criminals were striking in the morning and afternoon to avoid the SVz-hour curfew from 10.30 p.m.

From a quiz for children in The Fiji Times asking “What is income tax?”

Laisenia Qalo, 9, Saint Mary’s School, Labasa: “It is something which my father pays the Government for letting us stay here”.

From The Fiji Times, Suva The Assemblies of God church has bought the public bar of the Hot Springs Hotel in Savusavu and is using it as a church, The Fiji Times leamt yesterday.

The hotel is functioning without a public bar but its management declined to comment.

A source yesterday said the church was holding regular services in the bar and part of it would be converted to house a handicraft centre.

From Uni Tavur, the students’ magazine at the University of Papua New Guinea.

Just sighted at the Uni soccer field. A pregnant women wearing a tee-shirt with “UNDER CONSTRUCTION” and the husband wearing “CONSTRUCTOR”.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby.

There are more women than men in East New Britain, according to the provincial council of women.

This had produced problems of girls having nothing to do, the council was told.

The council has decided to re-introduce the Girl Guides and Brownies movements for Tolai girls before the end of this year.