from the islands press

A letter from Robert L. Batchelor, manager of the Bible Book Store, in The Samoa Times, Apia.

Is this government really legal? This year for the Swearing In Ceremony they sent up a requisition for English and Samoan bibles to the Bible Book Store. In spite of repeated bills sent to the Legislative Department, they have not paid for the Bibles.

Therefore if the Bibles used in the Swearing In Ceremony have not been paid for was the Ceremony really legal?

From the Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila A motion in Parliament on Thursday this week to defer voting on the Divorce Bill until next year was passed by 20 votes to 12.

The Government Bill was tabled by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Sethy Regenvanu.

While the Minister and several members of the House (both UMP and VP) stressed that such a Bill is necessary for Vanuatu, the Bill itself came under fire from others quoting the Bible and the Christian Principle that “What God has joined together, let no men separate. ”

Also, Transport Minister Mr Albert Sande, indicated that if the Bill is allowed to be passed then Vanuatu’s Motto: “Long God yumi stanap”, should be replaced with “Long God yumi sidaon or Long God yumi wan wan”. Mr Sande said, it contradicts the

country’s Motto.

From Tuvalu Echoes, Funafuti Among the 18 young men who graduated from the 11th training course at the Tuvalu Maritime School were two hard-working young gentlemen from Tokelau Islands. This was the first time the school has turned out Tokelauan graduates. Surprisingly, Mr Peata Pelenato, a Tokelauan graduate, was outstanding in his work in his department and was awarded the engine department prize by the Prime Minister. His colleague Mr Tui Foua received a certificate just like the others.

From an advertisement in Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila Be lucky and have tons of money. You be the judge. Win at horse racing. Win at Lotto. Pools Golden Casket. All my members win and nobody loses. Write for amazing brochures absolutely FREE.

Don’t even send a stamp. Stop losing and start winning. What I have done for others, it is only reasonable to assume I can do for you. Drive a big motor car and have plenty of ready cash.

Everything strictly legal. Be the smart one in your district or village . . . Most respected prophet in the Southern Hemisphere. (Name and address omitted to protect the innocent! PIM.) From Tuvalu Echoes, Funafuti The Funafuti Town Council feels that looking after a small herd of goats is not a promising project to undertake.

A spokesman from the council told Tuvalu Echoes that the Funafuti Town Council have decided to sell the goats because it has no financial benefit to the council.

Mr loane Dale, the Island Executive Officer, said that the council is wasting a lot of money in paying the goatkeeper while in return there is hardly any income to keep the project going.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby A father went to help sort out a row and it cost him his life, a court was told yesterday.

And his two sons told the National Court in Port Moresby it was

a peace officer who struck their father over the head with a bamboo pole.

Kinibou Nana went into a coma and died 11 days later at the Port Moresby General Hospital.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby A father in Aitape, West Sepik, shot his son dead when he mistook him for a cassowary while out hunting last Friday.

Police said Gabriel Oniam, 13, of Paup village, died instantly while hunting near the Charhut river.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby A baby girl died from arrow wounds at the Goroka Hospital last Saturday.

Police said Kumia Aruama, 12 months, of Akuna village in Kainantu, was in her mother’s arms when she was struck with an arrow following a fight between two clans during a soccer match at the village.

From the Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila Eighty nine year old Elder Peter Luarik of Unakab, Nguna Island, recently paid his first visit to Port Vila and told Central Hospital personnel that he was scared for disobeying his father. The elderly man from the coastal island of Efate said when he was a small boy, his father forbade him to visit Port Vila, fearing that there were bad influences!

He obeyed his father’s wishes until last month when he had an urgent medical condition which required operation. Elder Luarik saw for the first time both the Capital of Vanuatu and Vila Central Hospital!

After the operation he felt a little sad that he had “disobeyed” his father but was pleased that he was cured of his illness.

From the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga Over 200 guests attended the haircutting ceremony of Teaunua Papa Michael, son of Kura and George Michael of Tepuka.

The first hairlock was cut by Christian© Mose on behalf of Bishop Leamy, followed by friends and relations of young Teaunua who had about 100 hairlocks tied separately with white ribbons.

From a letter by Beattie Bigg in The Norfolk Island News I think our shopping centre is an absolute disgrace with the erection of the Big Sister to Rawson Hall being built where it is.

That area should have been turned into a car park if it was to be used at all.

Our cars are accumulating all the time and nothing is being done about it one day soon someone will be taken to the morgue from the shopping centre.

I think that the folk from the “Rumpus Room” should use their brains (if they have any) the right way.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby Topless Papua New Guinean dancers at this year s Royal Tournament in London would embarrass the Queen, it has been suggested.

And now organisers have asked our girls to cover up by wearing bras.

Tournament director Col lain Ferguson last night said he did not want to offend the Queen.