Remembering Tuvalu

Letters

SEPTEMBER 1989 PIM had a story of Diana McManus (“Farewell from a White Ship”) about the former manager of the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau, Mr Frank Hoy. The story brought back vivid memories for my wife and me, as we lived I uvalu from June 1977 to August 1979 when I was the first resident Attorney General there.

Frank Hoy and his wife made us very welcome on Funafuti and one of Frank s adventures taught us a useful lesson about shopping there. When he

first arrived, Frank had gone to the “Fusi” (Cooperative Store) to buy sugar.

No container of any sort was available. 80 Frank had to walk home carrying lhe sugar in his cupped hands.

As the Philatelic Bureau was just across the road from our house, we often saw the young staff practising sword dances and hula dances for spe cial events these were Samoan rather than Tuvaluan in origin, but as your readers will know. Pacific culture is very eclectic in its approach A couple of minor corrections to

McManus’ story, by the way. Firstly, the island group ceased to be called the Ellice Islands and adopted the name Tuvalu in 1976, on separation from the Gilberts, while still a colony. Secondly, there was never a “Provisional Govern ment” of Tuvalu; Toalipi Lauti (as he was then known) became Chief Minis ter of the colonial Government in 1976 while Tom Laying was H.M. Commis sioner. In 1978 Toalipi became Prime Minister of an independent state with Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo as Governor General. 1 remember the occasion well, as I had the privilege of swearing in the then Governor-General.

John F Wilson

Hong Kong Full stomach I REFER to December 1989 issue of PIM which on pages 25, 26, 27 covers John McCrystal’s story of Western Samoa’s fragile economy. I find it hard to swallow some of the comments made by the Controller of Customs Mr Joe Devoe.

Sir, no doubt the public are well aware that yourself and other business associates have full stomachs everyday but please be more sensible when com menting on government issues.

M L Peti

Auckland

Penpals

Stephen Kemp. He visited the Cook Is lands, French Polynesia and New Zea land in 1984 and would like to corres pond with anyone in those countries or nearby as he anticipates further travels.

Address: 1020 Mifflin Street, Hunting don, PA 16652, USA.

Bisia Justin, 16. He is a high school student and wants penpals from “all over the world”. Justin says he has “numerous hobbies and will answer all the letters from people of any age and sex”. Address: Saint Joseph’s Rigu High School, PO Box 105, Kieta, NSP, Papua New Guinea.

Samuel Tororea, 21. He wants penpals from “the island states and elsewhere”.

Hobbies: reading, writing, collecting

and exchanging stamps, exchanging

gifts. Address: PO Box 1646, Arawa, North Solomons Province, Papua New Guinea. □

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