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PAPUAN NOTES.
FAREWELL EVENING.
Prior to the departure of the last Mo-
rinda, Mrs. Bremen and her two sons,
Tom and Ernest, gave a farewell even-
ing at Samarai to Mr. C. S. Speedie,
who has been gaoler there for a number
of years, and who was going on vaca-
tion leave by the steamer. After his
holidays Mr. Speedie is retiring from
the service. The party took place on
New Year's Eve and the the new year
was ushered in with the appropriate
ceremonies. Mr. D. Cahill, formerly of
the Government Stores, but latterly of
Orangerie Bay Government Plantation,
goes to transfer to take up the position.
Mr. Cahill has been relieving at the
Anglo-Persian Company's property
after the death of Mr. Higginson, and
came in by the Chief on Wednesday,
going on, on Sunday. Mr. Watkins has
gone out to Pope.
Mr. S. Middelton, of the Magisterial
Department, is relieving Mr. Sutton as
gaoler in Port Moresby. Mr. O. Grim-
shaw, of the Native Labor Office, who
with Mrs. Grimshaw, has been on holi-
days, came back by the Morinda, and
took over the work again.
Port is quiet, very quiet, but we are
having rain spasmodically, and as is
usual, it comes when not wanted How-
ever, we have had such an unexpected
dry season that we still regard it cheer-
fully and thankfully. The hills are
clothed in green, and Port again looks
quite pretty. What was amazing, how-
ever, was that throughout the dry wea-
ther, the bauhinias and pencianias
bloomed freely. Barren hills were
vividly outlined with masses of brilliant
scarlet blooms, even on the distant hills
behind the various villages. All the
apparently dead shrubs are covered with
green, and we rejoice accordingly and
think we haven't such a bad place after
all. We are fortunate, however, in the
fact that although we also have our
"slump,'' and we are feeling it very
keenly we do not have to face at close
quarters the appalling poverty that ex-
ists in the South, not watch hungry
little children and the concomitants
thereof !
A NEW SHIP.
Our new motor ship, the Macdhui, has
been launched at Glasgow, and is ex-
pected to be in Sydney by the end of
April, soon after to be put into com-
mission for island trade. Electrically
driven, she will be at first a "wonder
ship" to her passengers, and those who
inspect her, but such as human nature,
after a time, there will be many who will
sigh for "the good old Morinda."
Electric windlasses, etc, will need to be
supplemented by an electric infusion
into the native labor handling cargoes
along the wharf, to keep pace with the
unloading of the steamer. No more
breakdowns, no more trouble, only cur-
ious boys who will be so interested in
seeing how she works, that they will
have to be watched to see that they
work. Anyhow, here's betting that
even with the new steamer, Burns
Philp's will be like the old man with the
donkey-there will be dissatisfaction.
Judging by the description of the
steamer, her worst accommodation
should be more aristocratic than the
Morinda's best, but that will not keep
residents looking out that the "other
end" is not getting a better deal!
The Laurabada came in Wednesday
afternoon, the 21st, and had a full
passenger list. In addition to His Ex-
cellency and the official secretary, there
were Mrs. F. E. Williams and her
small son, who had been on a visit to
Rev. and Mrs. Saville at Mailu: Miss
Audrey Sewell, who came from Samarai
on a visit to her father, who is road
overseer for the Public Works Depart-
ment; Mrs. Mahoney, formerly of
Sudest, and for many years resident
in the Territory, who had come from
Sydney to Samarai for the wedding of
her granddaughter, and who will be the
guest of her son Frank and Mr. E. A
James for the few weeks before the de-
parture of the steamer south. Brother
George, of the Yule Island Mission, Mr.
C. Abel, of Kwato Extension Mission
and "umpteen"' prisoners. Thirty-six
forlorn creatures were lined up before
the armed guard to be counted, much to
the interest of the natives handling the
copra steamer Cabarita; one presumed
they were minor offenders they looked
so forlorn.
PERSONAL
Mrs. F. D. Ross, from Obu Planta-
tion, spent a week or so in town, await-
ing the arrival of her daughter, Mrs.
Ivan Champion, who was coming back
by the Laurabada from joining her hus-
band at lema. She was, however, un-
able to get accommodation on the
Laurabada, owing to her already large
passenger list, but word came through
that the small child was better. She
will come on to Port and stay a while
with her mother at Obu.
Mrs. E. A. Guinan is in Port for a
few months from Aroa, where Mr.
Guinan is in charge of the desiccated
cocoanut factory. Mr. and Mrs. Leo
Gors are also in from Obu, the guests
of the Misses Gors, of Ela Beach. Mrs.
Lambden paid a few weeks visit to Port
with her small daughter, as the guests
of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Williams.
Mr. E. J. Frame paid a visit to Port
Remilly as the receiver for the deben-
ture holders of Port Romilly Sawmills
Ltd, in liquidation. Captain A. S.
Fitch being the liquidator. Mr. Mc-
Kinnon came in from Romilly with Mr.
Frame, returning again on the Ronald
S. The latter brought in over 14,000
ft. of timber and the Royal Endeavour
over 7000, the Papun Chief having 1000
for Samarai. Some beautiful timber
came in by the Ronald S., planking
beautifully dressed, and if Romilly can
turn out timber like that there is no
reason why, with energetic control, it
should not be a good paying proposition.
There has never been any difficulty in
selling the timber, but this is really
"good" stuff. The receiver has guar-
anteed Mr. McKinnon's salary for 12
months, and as he knows his job, in that
time all should be O.K. Cargoes by the
steamships boats have been frequent and
large all along.
A FULL SHIP.
The Ronald SI went out on the late
afternoon of the 21st fully loaded. To
the casual onlooker on the wharf, she
hadn't an inch to spare. She carried
European passengers, besides the cap-
tain, all "gold hunters" with the ex-
ception of Mrs. Lambden and her child,
and natives galore. She seemed to ex-
ude them. The two Garbutt from
Townsville went out. Viv. Hides, John-
son, Saunders, Adamson and Norris,
some recruiting the boys for the others.
This time there seems to be a tense at-
mosphere in the air which promises
well. Archie Whitbourne reckons its
there this time. Garbutt and Saunders
have gone to get ""boys" for Frank
Mahony's "subsidised'' party. Frank's
party is going in beyond previously ex-
plored country, opening up new terri-
tory, hence the subsidy. Old residents
of the Territory reckon that when gold
is struck it will be up near the border,
as all the tributaries of the Waria River
show gold, although not in payable
quantities. Viv. Hides and Johnson re-
ported to the warden payable alluvial
gold on Hides Creek, in the Tauri dis-
this instance being equivalent to 30
claims. Applications were also made
for the registration of other claims ad-
joining. When Frank Mahony's ar-
rangements are complete he will go
direct to the Tiveri landing. Mr. Good-
year and Captain Markwell have gone
out in the former's launch, and Mr. A. j
Brooks will follow them in a few days
with recruits. When possible, the par-
ties are recruiting locally to save time
on arrival. The Christie party, George
and Sandy and "Bill" Nicholas, got
canoes after reaching their destination
as they could not secure a launch, and
left for up the river, but at latest
news Messrs. Whitbourne and Weine
were still at the beach. There is sup-
posed to be a number of miners arriv-
ing on the next Morinda, and in any
case, the stores are benefiting, as those
landing do not come penniless. A "find"
now would* give this country the fillip
it needs.
Last month, prior to the arrival of
the Morinda, there were no potatoes in
town save at the "freezer," and as the
Morinda is late this month everyone is
keeping a wary eye on such commodities
as cheese, bacon and potatoes.
HIS EXCELLENCY.
During his visit East His Excellency
paid visits to the various stations and
"made court" for the natives. Sittings
of the Central Court were held at
Mailu, Samarai, Cape Nelson, Buna,
Trobriands and Abau. The Laurabada
left again on the 27th instant for West
-Daru, Kikeri, etc., but is expected to
be back before the Morinda. Sir Hu>
bert leaves by the Morinda for his an-
nual visit to Canberra, but expects tc
be returning by the Morinda leaving
Sydney at the end of March.
Local , residents state that some ci
them felt an earth tremor on the 7th in-
stant. Vailala River residents say the}
also felt one, but there has been nothing
of any importance.
.Mr. Percy Hinds, of Daru, has pur
chased the "David Pitt," the cuttei
formerly belonging to Papuan Indus
tries Ltd. She has a length of 35 feet
a breadth of ll* feet, and depth o
352, with a tonnage of slightly unde
10 tons, it will work in connection witl
Mr. Hinds' trading station at Daru.
The three-engined Junker 'plane, pur
chased for the Bulolo Gold Dredgin)
Company, has been safely deposited oi
thc beach at Salamoa, and also th
whole of thc gear for the big bucke
dredge, to be worked by hydro-electri
power. A recond 'plane is on the wa;
out to assist in the transport of th
machinery.
Mr. P. J. McDonald came back by th
last Morinda after a short stay in Sam
arai on his way. back from Edie Creel
Mac looks fit, although not so stout H
had a bit of a narrow squeak last wee
when he decided, with Matron Gellweil
1er, of the local hospital, in his car, t
pay a visit to Itfldnumu Plantation. H
went up on the Sunday safely but re
turning that evening, was overtaken b
heavy rains before reaching Rona. Th
track the latter portion of the trip wa
very greasy, and on the narrow bend Ix
fore the commencement nf' tin» Anna
I grade, where the road winds round the
I side of the cliffside, the car slid, only
being stopped on his course ever by a
small stone which checked it. It was
decided to leave the car there till morn-
ing, and the remainder of the jour-
ney to Rena Falls was made per foot,
and the night spent at" Mrs' King's, the
car being brought down 'on Monday
morning. Mr. E. J. Frame, stores man-
ager of the B. N. G. Trading Co. Ltd,
who spent the week-end with his wife
and family at Rona, was forced to dela j
. on his way down on Monday morning
j to clear the read of a landslide ciose
to Rona. Rains in the Sogeri and
; Itikinumti districts have been ven
heavy, on sonn; days the mules ladei
with rubber from the plantation being
ur.abic to make the trip.
MINING.
The Tinai Gold Mining Company ar
j c'ning forces- with a company bein;
formed in Sydney ' for the purpose o
equipping a party to be sent in to de
velop tile leases and arrange for aeria
transport. Mr. Thebon, mining engineei
thc leader of the party, is expected t
arrive in the near future, bringing wit
him á large 'plane and the necessar
J staff to open up the property.
. The steamer Cabarita, one of Ar
ditw Weir's steamers, came in on Tue;
dr*y morning from Sydney (bringing
mail) to- load copra. The first dav
work was spoilt by rain, necessitatin
shutting down the hatches at night, an
later by the fusing of thc lights on ti
i wharf, the loading ceasing at 9- o'cloc
; Next morning saw an early start, and
j decent day until about five in the afte
neon, when rain again interfered wi
thc work (assisted by an interlude \vh<
i a fireman on thc boa went for a trii
j mer with a hammer, and the conce
? orated attention of thc native gangs
t-However, the cessation was brief, ai
! ö o'clock saw her finished, satisfactc
? Hy, although she did not leave till
! p.m. She leaded abott 6000 bags"
' copra, and left for Samarai, Rabual ai
European ports via Singapore and P(
, Said.
j Mr. T. L. Sefton, managing direel
: pf Koitakinumu Plantation, is again
I inmate of the local hospital, having h
? a severe attack of pneumonia. Forte
i ately, he is now over the worst, as it
j but a short time since he had a v<
I bad bout of typhoid fever.
' Mr. A. Sinclair, of Orokole, is an
' mate of the hospital for some wei
! new. suffering from a poisoned fe
j Dostor Lewis has had his hands i
I since his arrival. Mr. W. Wyatt v
operated on last week for appendiciti
COFFEE.
In tlie Sogeri district, Mr. G. A. L
den's young coffee plantation at Elle
is very promising. The trees: just ct
ing into bearing were being attacked
mealy bug, which prevented the settl
and the developrnent- bf the* berries, J
brushing the trees-- .with .kerosene en
sion was only partly, successful. Ba
ing thc trees, >however, has resulted
the complete .disappearance of thé p
' Doctor Angeli," Ph.D., paid a visit
Eilogo while here. ^..Vf -' *
Word was received in town of the
death of Mrs. W. T. Harse,,wife of
W. T. Harse.of Tomanau Plantation,
but late of the Pauan Public Service
as medical officer in Port-Moresby.
For many years a semi-invalid Mrs.
Harse had bee ailing again for some time,
but as she had ben no worse than usual
Her death was unexpected. The body
was taken overland to Milne Bay and
then to Samarai by launch, where the
funeral was held. The many friends
of Dr. Harse extended to him their
genuine sympathy, as his troubles for
the past two or three years have been
many.
.Mr. L. C Schoppe arrived by*,
last Morinda from South, and tried
his Moth 'plane which has been st
with Mr. Pi H. Leigh in Port Mt
by during his absence. After an c
Itaul, he took Mr.' Garbutt "as passet
and travelled _up the Lakekamu S
and over the "Tauri River district
places, on which everyone's attentic
at i resent fixed as. the centre .otthe.
search. ' He was able- tô'locafë the c
of Mr. Vv Hides, and was away
? I
The Director of Public. Works has
evidently decided that Port" Moresby
could present a much more beautiful
and tropical appearance so far as the
township, at any rate, is concerned. Be-
fore the rain commenced, he had boxes
of young trees, casuarinas, tamarinds,
rain trees, etc, all ready for planting,
and drums had been let in at regular in-
tervals along the foreshore. These were
filled with earth, and with the first rains,
young trees were planted, and it amaz-
ing the growth. Along Port road to the,
power house the same scheme has been
carried out, Douglas-street has all *its
drums ready and Konedebu road is be-
ing treated the same. Given a few
years, and Port will look like a tropical
town, as the trees flourish while the |
wary and shy grass dies. Some keen
botanist decided that tamarind trees
would also beautify their premises, as
two were removed one week-end from
inside the guards on Port road.
ROADS.
As for roads, we still pat ourselves
on the back to see if we are awake
when we use the 3-Mile Hill since the
rains. Sleep at night was disturbed with
visions of the morning trip to be made
over it not so long since, and do riot re-
member an occasion when after all
I thought of rain had ceased, and the
road was nicely done up for a special
' occasion with about nine inches of
pretty soil, and Saturday night brought
rain. Sunday saw bogged cars, and
Monday morning saw a lorry of the
Vieusseux Transport (a Reo) cheerfully
bent on carrying supplies for the plan-
tations at Sogen, ploughing its way up
the hill (almost literally) with an in-
furiated road overseer following in its
wake, uttering dire threats of closing
the only way available in wet weather
and issuing requests to "keep off the
road after rain." Now-well if up to
date is a sample, we breathe freely. A
solid stone foundation had been_ laid,
all the way down, and all the "roaa
windi has been top-dressed is really
gocd. All the town roads are being
treated in the same way-Konedebu, and
the lower road, on the outside the cross-
ings are" being made permanently. To
the townspeople only- using them for
pleasure it does not appeal in the same
way as these who make their living
over the roadr, as they stay home when
too wet!
Samarais Custom« revenue for No-
vember is just to hand : . Import duties,
£1255/9/2; export duties, shell, £3/7/3.
shipping and other fees, ¿1/6/-; total,
£1260/2/5. For December: Import
duties, shell, £17/12/9 ; shipping and
other fees, £7/13/2; total, £1382/15/1.
Port Moresby for December: Import
dutiec, £1377/17/5; shipping and other
fees, £6/11/9; total, £1384/9/2.
Messrs. Captain W. Mitchie and W.
Lyons, master and chief engineer, re-
spectively, of the Morinda, have been
appointed by the Lieutenant Governor as
from December 30 last, to be members
of the Marine Board of Papua, vice
Messrs. Captain Rothery and L. J.
Sauler.
NEW COMPANIES.
Two new companies were registered
during the month with the Registrai
General 'as Foreiim Companies-Domara
Estates Pty. Ltd., having nominal capital
of £20,COO in £1 shares with registered
office and public officer the saine as foi
the Domara Company..
Samarai residents held a public wel-
come home for their Anglican Bishof
on his return from .England to attend
the Lambeth Conference Rev. R. Leek
who presided over the meetin.<j held h
the Memorial Hall, said it was not quit«
12 months since they had gathered tc
wish their Bishop Godspeed prior to hi;
departure for the conference, and hi;
welcome home was as warm as the gooc
wishes they had expressed on his de
parture. Mr. G. E. Aumuller said Ina
sm behalf of the city he tendered a wei
come to the Bishop. He had done mus
strenuous work and he was still doing
it, and they trusted that His Lordshij
would be spared long enough to attem
at least two Lambeth Conferences
more He had been missed and the:
were glad to have him back, and trustee
that his present good health would con-
tinue. Mr. J. G. Folwe said he had
been asked to speak for the people of
.Samarai. They all knew the high
esteem the Bishop was held in by the
people of Samarai and district, and
hoped that his good health would con-
tinue. Mr. R. F. Bunting, junr., on be-
half of the young people said they did
not regard the Bishop as the head of
he church but also as a very good
friend. The Bishop said it was very
kind of them all to give him such a
welcome home. In spite of the varied
and sometimes anxious days he had
?spent in Papua, he was glad to be back
again amongst his people in Papua. He
gave an outline of his trip away, speak-
ing interestedly for over'two hours. He
.had preached at and addressed over 90
meetings during his absence, and had
attended another 30 meetings. He had
been in every county in England excepl
Cornwall, and thought England more
beautiful every time he saw it. The«
was nothing so satisfying as the green
grass ot England.. (No wonder, aftci
our dry season!) His Lordship said h<
was present at the funeral of the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury and gave a vivie
description of the service and fuñera
procession' through London to Canter
bury, and also of his visit to Bavarh
to witness the Passion Play. He saic
there were 308 bishops gathered at Lam
beth for the conference, and. the con
ference had dealt with a great deal o:
work and six major subjects wen
handled by committees. He conclude!
by saying that glorious as was his trij.
he was not sorry to be back home ii
Papua.
OBITUARY.
The death occurred at the Europeai
Hospital on January 24th of Richari
Lett, the only son of Mr. and Mrs
Lewis Lett, for many years resident ti
the Territory. Only elevetn years o
age, he had been sa inmate of the hos
pital for over a week, suffering frpc
rheumatic fever, and although for ¡
short time he was a little better, h
gradually passed away. A service wa
held in St. John's Anglican Church oi
Sunday afternoon, prior to the corteg
taking its way to the cemetery a
j Kondcobu, the Rev. H. Matthew
conducting both services. There wa
' a very large attendance, amongst thei
His Excellency1 Sir Hubert Murray
and prominent members of th
Government service, and all prominer
residents, as well as a contingent c
the local troop of Boy Scouts of whic
deceased was a member. The sir
cerest sympathy is felt for the parent
in their severe loss, as the boy was a
ceptionally bright and intelligent.
THE CHRISTMAS - TREE.
The committee of the Children
Xmas . Tree and Entertainment Con
rriittee show the amount collected lá¡
year £13/15/-, jwith £14/13/21 brougl
forward from last year. The cost-«
the 1930 .Christmas party was £14/3/'
leaving a balance in hand of £13/4/
Owing to present conditions, it WÎ
decided . not tb~ hold - th¿ tatkeid-<
sports meeting, for the children, bi
$