P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 26 Jan 2003

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PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay

Welcome to the

Papua New Guinea Gossip Newsletter


A very special welcome is extended to any new readers. If you have comments or suggestions to make then please click here.

C O N T E N T S

Tok Pisin Links
Education Sites Commonwealth Essay Competition
Talasea Airport Hoskins Airport
Australian Flights New CAA Boss
Beachfront Hideaway Southern Highlands Elections
Earthquake Foreign Aid
Murder Sentence TreeHouse Village News
School Fees Note From a Reader
Teachers' Savings and Loans Mask Festival
Union Strike Threat Mt Pago
Free Education PNG Lotto
Goroka University Police Accused
Public Accounts Committee Australian Bushfires
U-Vistract Offer Bomana Jail
Ghost Road Banz - Western Highlands
Real Estate Agents Media

 

Articles for this newsletter

To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter -- then please click here.

 

 

 

Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
Tok Pisin English
wok work / job
de bilong wok workday
hatwok work hard
man bilong wok good worker
wanwok fellow worker
wok kaikai work for board and keep
wok long busy (doing something)
wok sip stevedore
wokim build (something)
wokim glas i go antap wind up a window
wokim gut repair (vb)
wokim / paitim bret knead bread
wokman worker / workman
woksop workshop
loia / loya / loman / saveman long lo lawyer
tisa teacher

 

 

Remember that this mailing list is mainly meant for people who have an interest and already know a little bit about the people and geography of Papua New Guinea. The PNG Kina, which is mentioned from time to time in this newsletter, is currently worth around 24.0 - 24.5 United States cents but varies on a daily basis.

If you are really keen on finding out what the Kina is worth a currency converter for most world currencies can be located at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/moni.html

Want to find out more about Papua New Guinea? Try searching at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo and http://www.michie.net/png_faqs. The PNG Business and Tourism Directory located at http://www.pngbd.com is also an excellent place to look for PNG information.

For those who are not so familiar with the geography of Papua New Guinea I suggest taking a look http://maps.google.com and then click on the find a map option. Go to this link for a quick start to a link to a map of Port Moresby. http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/pom-map.html

Also remember that the accuracy of the information in this newsletter should not be relied upon - it is, after all, a gossip newsletter.



Links

General Links

Don't forget to take a look at the following websites -- The PNG Agriculture website can be found on http://www.nari.org.pg and a (new upgraded) East New Britain web site containing all ENB business addresses and tourism information is on http://www.eastnewbritain.com

http://tufi.alphalink.com.au/png and http://tufi.alphalink.com.au/sogeri/ -- Sogeri National High School - History and Reunions.

http://www.treehouse.com.pg -- The TreeHouse Village EcoResort

Another web-site worth visiting is the Rose Gallery located at http://www.rosesgallery.com/ -- The websites deals with Rosalie Ann Christenson 1935 - 1998 who took over 3,000 black and white photographs of PNG in the '70's. The site also includes ceramics and sculptures, collage, fabric design, printing and painting, abstracts - varied media and illustrative projects that span over 45 years.



Education Sites



http://www.pngmc.ac.pg -- PNG Maritime College
http://www.dg.com.pg/Che/index.htm -- Commission for Further / Higher Eduction
http://www.ibs.com.pg -- International Business Institute
http://www.iea.ac.pg -- International Education Agency
http://www.pngimr.org.pg -- PNG Institute of Medical Research
http://www.unitech.ac.pg -- PNG University of Technology
http://www.uog.ac.pg -- University of Goroka
http://www.upng.ac.pg -- University of PNG
http://www.workersmutual.com.pg -- Computer Training

 


 

News Items




Commonwealth Essay Competition



A community school student from Koari Park School has put PNG in the spotlight by winning the Commonwealth essay competition. The competition attracted thousands of young writers from all over the world that saw the student, Susie Kutato, receiving a special certificate from the Royal Commonwealth Society of which Queen Elizabeth II is the patron.



Talasea Airport



The Civil Aviation Authority has closed West New Britain's Talasea airport. The move by CAA is seen as an administrative matter because the provincial government has not met certain conditions. It is understood that the information required by CAA has been held back because the provincial government has not paid the surveyor who surveyed the airport.



Hoskins Airport



The Civil Aviation Authority has now reopened Hoskins airport to Dash-8 or smaller aircraft. Air Niugini is operating all Talasea flights into Hoskins airport. The Flight schedule will be exactly as per the existing schedule number 93 --http://www.airniugini.com.pg/timetable/index.htm -- except that all flights will arrive/depart Hoskins airport instead of Talasea.



Australian Flights



The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) has given commercial aviation a reprieve by allowing the PNG Civil Aviation Authority extra time to complete audit requirements for flights to Australia from PNG.



New CAA Boss



The new chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority has said that the board has put in place two strategies that will help to bail the CAA out of its current financial problems and fulfil its air safety audit responsibilities.



Beachfront Hideaway



Walter van Praag <walter@vanpraag.com> has the following to say about the Beachfront Hideaway in Cairns. The Hideaway is a self-contained luxury home away from home. Complete with CNN, Air conditioning, a saltwater in-ground pool and a quiet beach! No need to bring your haus-merry, we even have a dishwasher and an automatic washing machine for you! There are two Hideaways, each with two bedrooms. For complete privacy and exclusive access to the BBQ deck and pool why not bring your mates and take both Hideaways! Skinny-dip potential here for up to 8 adults!

The ExPat Offer - just mention PNG Gossip! FOUR (4) nights in the 'Hai' Hideaway or 4 nights in the 'Bali' Hideaway (with the timber BBQ deck) complete with a day on the Great Barrier Reef. We include a trip with Compass Cruises. Snorkelling and lunch included as is a glass of wine!

If you ask nicely we'll even put you in SCUBA gear and let you blow bubbles underwater with a PADI instructor - a free introduction to diving! Pricing for Expats: 'Hai' Hideaway: Regular price: $1072 for up to 2 couples! Our Expat offer $872 ($200 saving) 'Bali' Hideaway: Regular price: $1272 for up to 2 couples! Our Expat offer $1072 ($200 saving) BOTH Hideaways: Regular price: $2344 for up to 4 couples! Our Expat offer $1899 ($445 saving).

This offer is available for any period during Jan/Feb/March 2003 pending availability! Enquire about other exciting combinations!!! i.e.. PRIVACY PACKAGE: SEVEN (7) night stay in both Hideaways (up to 8 adults) for $2800 ($50 per person per night including reef trip!).

http://www.go4us.com.au/beachfront

Walter and Katherine-



Southern Highlands Elections



The date for the Southern Highlands Elections has been announced. Writs will be issued on The 20th of February. Nominations will open on the same day and close on February 27. Polling will start on the 26th of April and end on 9th of May. The elections will be for both the National Parliament and all local level governments in the six National Parliament electorates that failed to complete polling in the 2002 July elections. The six electorates are Imbongu, Tari, Komo-Magarima, Kagua Erave, Koroba-Lake Kopiago and Southern Highlands Provincial seats.



Earthquake



Kevin McCue has supplied the following information -- 10 January 2003 at 12 minutes past midnight. That thump and familiar rumble felt by residents of Bougainville, Southern New Ireland and East New Britain was a large earthquake offshore. The epicentre was in the vicinity of two great (magnitude about 8) earthquakes in 1971 that caused landslides and tsunamis. Few of the PNG national seismograph networks formerly operating in PNG are now working due to lack of funds.

The following details are from the US Geological Survey.

Time -- 001156.7
Location -- 5.209S 153.566E
Depth -- 71 km
Magnitude -- MW 6.7 (Richter scale equivalent)



Foreign Aid



Is foreign aid like the help being given here?

Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his boots? He was really struggling, so she began pulling and him pushing. The boots still didn't want to go on. Finally, after several minutes the first boot was on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat.

She almost whimpered when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet."

She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on -- this time on the right feet.

He then announced, "These aren't my boots."

She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to. Once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off.

He then said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear them."

She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered what grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again.

"Now," she said sweating profusely, "where are your mittens?"

He said, "I stuffed them in the toes of my boots. . ."



Murder Sentence



The National Court has ordered the death by hanging of a National Capital District man for double murder. The man from Baruni village in Port Moresby is to hang by the neck until he is dead. The Head of State or the Governor-General will appoint the time and the venue of the execution. The death penalty was imposed on the man for wilfully killing two youngsters from neighbouring Tatana village between 31 March and 2 April 2002.

This is the fifth convicted killer sentenced to death by the courts since the death penalty was reinstated by Parliament in 1991. The death penalty, however, was not imposed until 1995 when Justice Tracey Doherty delivered a sentence in Popondetta, Northern Province.



TreeHouse Village News



The TreeHouse Village EcoResort is pleased to inform you that they now have five units available for twin-share group bookings of up to 10 people. The main TreeHouse Suite and the four Beachfront TreeCottages all have a Queen Double and Single beds.


The other good news is their website at http://www.treehouse.com.pg - it is quite comprehensive and it is updated and added to it regularly. Please save it in your Favourites Folder. It will answer many of your questions and let you know what the EcoResort offers.

The TreeHouse Village has now installed the EasyBook Resort Software to ensure that they can cope with the steadily increasing bookings and the extra tours and services they now offer. They will now be able to integrate a direct email booking service later this year. 2003 is looking good with more accommodation and facilities coming on stream through out the year.

New Ireland and PNG is new to ecotourism and the TreeHouse Village EcoResort is leading in the country with an exciting range of adventure accommodation, spectacular rainforest & nature walks, canoe and reef tours and cultural events. They also provide group and individual accommodation with special rates for Divers, SportFishing, Surfing, Cyclists and other sporting activities.

General enquires can be made through info@treehouse.com.pg



School Fees



Lady Carol Kidu has urged schools to help parents by accepting small payment of school fees. Lady Carol said whilst formal education could not be free; many parents were struggling to pay school fees. She said she would not like to see hard-working, gifted students out of school because of poverty.



Note From a Reader



Here is a note from Carole Saunders.
I would like to extend my sympathy's to the family of Peter Hall who was murdered in Lae in early January. The Hall family were Peter, Claire, and children Cynthia and Kathleen. Peter had only twelve months left before he was due to go finis.



Teachers' Savings and Loans



The PNG Teachers' Savings and Loans Society has taken the initiative to set up a cheque printing facility in Lae. This is seen as an investment for Lae and Morobe Province as well as a major benefit for society members.



Mask Festival



The Seventh National Mask Festival and Warwargira will be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Rabaul from the 7th to the 19th of July 2003.



Union Strike Threat



The public sector unions have relented and will not hold a nationwide strike starting on the 27th of January over a wage freeze by the National Government. This decision is mainly from the work done by a Department of Personnel Management team led by Public Service Minister Dr Puka Temu and the unions. If the strike had gone ahead it had the potential to have crippled the nation affecting air travel, all government services and daunted internationally funded donor projects.



Mt Pago



Most of the people that were displaced by the Mt Pago volcanic eruptions in West New Britain have been sent home so that they can start growing food and get their children ready for the school year. About 60 to 70 percent of the people who were displaced have already moved back. The West New Britain provincial government did not have funds to feed them and the government did not want to continue to ask donors for help.



Free Education



Lady Carol Kidu has said that free education will reduce the quality of education because not all children would have spaces in schools and those who gained a space would face overcrowded classrooms, overworked teachers, shortage of school materials and as a result a lower quality of education for all children.



PNG Lotto



The PNG Lotto, which has been struggling at around the K2 million jackpot level, for a very long time has struck problems with its computer system. Sales for the last 10- days have been wiped out of the computer system and the company running the lotto are having to rely on customers checking their tickets to see if they have won. The company has had to resort to checking their hard copies of the records. It is hoped that the computer system will be working soon. The jackpot on the 10th of January stood at K2,815,000 but it is not known what the present jackpot is worth or if someone has won it.



Goroka University



Students at the university in Goroka have been warned that troublemakers have no place at the educational institution. Students have been told that the university would not tolerate drug and alcohol abuse and its related problems and serious offenders would be referred to the police and the courts. Concern has also been expressed at the high number of pregnancies and statistics reveal that one out of eight female students became pregnant in 2002.



Police Accused



Once again allegations have been made against police. This time a police patrol from Kagamuga in the Western Highlands is alleged to have collaborated with armed men who burnt down two houses, slaughtered five pigs and destroyed a Toyota Dyna truck at Wara Wau recently. Confirmation of this allegation has been unsuccessful.



Public Accounts Committee



The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has made a recommendation that Parliament sack the Secretary for Petroleum and Energy Joseph Gabut. Mr Gabut has failed to make an attempt to appear before the PAC hearing. His office has also failed to maintain dialogue with the committee secretariat as other institutions do.



Australian Bushfires



The City of Lae has become the first in PNG to start a fund raising drive to assist the victims of bushfires in Canberra, Australia. The Lae City Independence Committee, the Lae Fire Service and the Lae City Council are leading the drive.



U-Vistract Offer



The main man behind the failed U-Vistract pyramid scheme, Noah Musingku, has offered to bail out the cash-strapped Solomon Islands Government to the tune of K1.3 billion. There is currently a warrant of arrest outstanding in Port Moresby for Mr Musingku for failing to appear in court on charges relating to his setting up of a pyramid scheme known as U-Vistract.



Bomana Jail



The quick action by night duty guards at the Bomana Correctional Institution averted what would have been the biggest escape in Correctional Service history. Between 8.30 and 9pm recently, convicted prisoners and remand prisoners lifted and removed the ceiling of the roof of their cells in preparation to escape. In the process they also knocked out the brick wall and forced out the iron rails. Alert night shift guards heard the noise and checked the cells and upon confirmation of the activities taking place raised the alarm.



Ghost Road



A company has submitted invoices to the Office of Rural Development (ORD) for the construction of three roads in the remote Jimi area of the Western Highlands. The company has been paid more than K400,000 by the previous government of Mekere Morauta and claims are pending for a further K800,000 for work that was never carried out. K417,305.53 has been paid for work allegedly done and invoices for K850,949.47 were in the "in-tray" pending an independent inspection by an ORD engineer however sources say that the work has not been done.



Banz, Western Highlands



Landowners are threatening to stop students returning to the Father Peter Secondary School at Fatima near Banz in the Western Highlands Province over a land dispute where the school and Catholic mission are located. The landowners want compensatio of K12 million for the developed portion of the land and also for the State and church to relinquish the title of the undeveloped portion back to them.



Real Estate Agents



Arthur Strachan (Lae) http://www.arthurstrachan.com.pg
Century 21 -- http://www.century21.com.pg/ and http://www.siule.com.pg/
Kohoy Real Estate -- http://kohoyrealestates.tripod.com/
L.J Hooker http://www.ljhooker.com
Ray White Real Estate - monian@online.net.pg
Strickland RE -- http://www.sre.com.pg/
The Professionals -- http://www.theprofessionals.com.pg


 





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-- THE END --

Some of the ways of saying "that's all" are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg

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Created 26 Jan 2003
Updated 6 Feb 2003

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