letters

How PT109’s skipper said “thanks”

I was interested to see the story of JFK and the PTIO9, in the January issue of PIM.

I knew Biuku Gasa and Aaron Kumana (not Kuman, as in the article) well, as they had been pupils at our Methodist school at Roviana, of which I was headmaster. After the war, I followed up the story of JFK.

It is most interesting and exciting to hear that there is now a museum on Rendova, at Lumberi, and I enclose one or two items that may be of interest to you.

For instance, there is the story of the rescue of Kennedy and his men, as seen by Aaron Kumana. There is also the story by Jonothan Bia, who followed up the report that the Amer icans were in distress, and led a relief party to Olosana Island.

The third item is a copy of a letter written by Kennedy to Biuku.

I am sending copies of this material to the district officer at Gizo, with a few photos of the Solomon Islanders mentioned, with a request that it be added to the items displayed in the museum at Lumberi Island.

Trusting that this may be of some interest to you.

(Rev.) E. C. Leadley

Auckland, New Zealand Copy of a letter sent by the late President Kennedy to N.

Biuku Gasa.

The White House, Washington.

March 11, 1961 Dear Biuku, Rev. E. C. Leadley has recently sent me your very kind mes sage, and I can’t tell you how delighted I was to know that you are well and prospering in your home so many thousands of miles away from Washington.

Like you, I am eternally grateful for the act of Divine Providence which brought me and my companions together with you and your friends who so valorously effected our res cue during time of war. Need less to say, I am deeply moved by your expressions, and I hope that the new responsibili ties which are mine may be exercised for the benefit of my own countrymen and the wel

fare of all our brothers in Christ.

You will always have a special place in my mind and heart, and I wish you and your people continued prosperity and good health.

Sincerely,

Kennedy

Biuku Gasa Madou, Wana Wana Lagoon, British Solomon Islands Protectorate

A sunken city

off Nan Madol?

I would like to comment on the investigations on the archeological site of Nan Madol (Temuen), Ponape Island, Mic ronesia, and to follow the claims of another city sunken off the front of the present one (PIM Feb. p 43). I am most interested to see published the inscriptions on the remains of the sunken city.

Having visited Nan Madol some years ago, it is a talking point all Ponapean people should be proud of. The ancient city ranks in its splendor with other sites around the

world. What a pity many of the relics of this ancient citadel and its culture have found their way to Eureopean museums and private collections around the world. I believe serious efforts should be made to recover or, if not, photograph these pieces.

Perhaps this island civilisation could be older than accepted up to the present day?

More ancient cities of the past are coming to light through more serious-minded investiga tions, and with the help of satellite photos.

Norton C. Redsell,

Olde World Archaeology, Sydney, NSW,.

Australia

For an Oceanic

Airlines

“By uniting we stand, by divid ing we fall.” (John Dick inson. ) Throughout history the Paci fic Islands and their people have been seduced for the welfare of foreign governments and companies with little bene fit to themselves. Even today, we see neighboring airlines us ing the Islands’ airlines not because they want to help those countries but because they use it as a means of increasing their dominance over the Pacific.

Is it not time to form Oceanic Airlines?. It is time for the Pacific Islanders to combine as one entity to promote the rich ness and diversity they offer.

No longer is there need to act as a sidekick for Australia, but let Australia be a sidekick to Oceania.

By combining the regional airways to form Oceanic Air lines everbody has control of the people’s airline. It is yours.

Who benefits: Certainly not Ansett!

Michael Meehan,

(Hopes Inc.) Darra, Qld., Australia

Young men of Kolombangara Island, Solomon Islands, sing the folk song about “Captain Kennedy” and his PT boat sunk in the area in World War II. - Elliott-Erwitt-Magnum photo.