THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 226, 1 March 1928, Page 3

THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS.

HOUSEKEEPING FROM A NEW ANGLE. A coconut plantation in the Admiralty Islands sounds attractive, but things are not always what they appear. Mr and Mrs J. A. Wauchope, of Caulfield, who left here some fiew months ago (says the Melbourne Herald) with the idea of making a new home at Lorengau, on the west coast of Admiralty Islands, and growing coconuts, are back in Melbourne. The climate drove them away from the tropics. Mrs Wauchope lost a stone in weight inside the first four weeks. In spite of this unhappy experience, she paints a pretty picture of the place. “ Lorengau is a delightful island three days’ sail from Rabaul, New Guinea. To the south are mountains and deep ravines, with beautiful virgin forests, watered by running streams and delightful, clear, natural springs. “ Gorgeous butterflies and birds of vivid plumage abound everywhere and fill the empty spaces with their lovely notes.” Expecting to find accommodation of some kind where they could stay before taking over the plantation, Mr and Mrs Wauchope arrived at Lorengau to find that there was none available.

“It was then we realised,” said Mrs Wauchope, when chatting about her trip, “ what island hospitality is, l for Mr Sumner, who occupies a variety of positions under the administrator, and his wife were wonderful, took us in, and made us welcome guests. “ There are only eight whites at Lorengau, and it was in this spot where I expected to make my home that I started to learn from my hostess something of the conditions that women have to put up with. “ House-keeping had to be taken from quite a new angle, with no fresh food to draw upon. Everything is tinned—meat, fish, butter, milk, and sugar—and the islanders depend for their supplies on the boat from the mainland, which arrives from Rabaul every six weeks. Its arrival is a great event, as there is always some kind of social gaiety while the boat is in port. “ Occasionally a little variety would be given by the' daily fare when a goat was killed. Then each of the residents was presented with a joint. “ To counter-balance the monotony of tinned food there are the delicious tropical fruits, from which salads and drinks are made.

“ The bungalows are very picturesque, covered with sac-sac, the leaf of the sago palm, and the walls are built of the stems of the palm, which is known as punkle; it is a fine cane, and very strong. All the furniture is cane, and with the addition of bright mats and brasses a home can be made to look very attractive. The cane is a’ „ used for clothes lines, suspended from the trees.”

When their plans were changed Mr and Mrs Wauchope decided to spend a holiday in New Guinea before returning to Melbourne. They were the guests of the administrator and Mrs Wisdom at Rabaul, and while there Mrs Wauchope tells of an interesting visit to a Chinese family. The father is one of the wealthiest merchants in Rabaul, in addition to being a plantation owner, and has a beautiful home overlooking the harbour. We who have all the freedom of modern life may find it hard to believe an incident as told by this visitor. The two daughters of the Chinese merchant, who are now about forty years of age, have never been off the verandah of their home. It is quite common knowledge that for the man who marries them a dowry of £40,000 goes with them, but so far they have had no suitors.

“ Not surprising under the circumstances,” explains the visitor, “ as no men are allowed to visit their part of the bungalow. I was privileged, and during the hour I spent in their company and that of their stepmother they never ceased inviting me to eat, and drink fruit, beer, and biscuits, with a large plate of minties as a speciality. They talked pidgin the whole time, to the accompaniment of tinkling music from a primitive musical box.”