From The Archives

August, 1930

Proper Puri-Puri Man Sorcery; or puri-puri, as it is known by r the natives, is now T being stamped out by the Government of Papua. A case occurred a

short time ago in the Northern Division. A man of the Aringi district made a complaint that T his brother-in-law had j practised puri-puri on V him, causing him to 1 HI I|j wander in the bush, wTiere he often had to pass the night. After some days of

this, he reported the fact to the village constable. The alleged sorcerer was brought before the Court for Native Matters but the case was dismissed much to the disgust of the complainant.

Later, the Court Interpreter discov ered a leaf containing “sorcery medicine” on the court-room floor. The natives who attended the case were resummoned, including the sorcerer, and, although he denied ownership of the medicine, some more leaves were found on him. A convic tion naturally followed. Thereupon, the

Pacific Islands Monthly ■k

defendant stated that, by holding the leaf containing the medicine in his hand, he was able to win his case. But because he dropped the leaf while leav ing, the verdict on

the second occasion went against him.

Gilbertian Regulations

There are numerous stupid and irritating regulations and laws, some Gilbertian in character, which have done much to crip ple our trade in recent years.

There is a regulation that, when Islands produce which can possibly be classified as “seeds” is received, the con signees before they can take possession, must obtain a certificate from the Department of Agriculture that the seeds are free from plant disease and pests.

This regulation applies to copra, for instance, and to cocoa beans. The regula tion is a mere ridiculous formality, serv

ing no purpose which can possibly be regarded as useful - yet it represents much waste of time and expensive cleri cal work.

There is a regulation that no shipment of camied fruits may go out of this port until the Customs Department has received at least two tins for sampling purposes”. It is an entirely useless for mality, and is now simply regarded as “a little present for the Customs officials.”

Boy Scout Arrives The Boy Scout Movement has just reached our happy shores, and is raging like a pestilence.

Dressed in brand new uni forms, with whistles and knives complete, little

boys, middling-sized

boys and large boys, are galloping about the island performing, every day, some good deeds and others not so good, as is the

manner of boyhood all the world over.

Established 1930