PNG Gossip Newsletter - 6th November 2005

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Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"

Tok Pisin English
haus building
haus house
haus hut
haus bilong wasim klos laundry
haus kuk / hauskuk / kisen kitchen
haus lotu temple / church
haus luluai bilong longwe ples embassy
haus mani bank (n)
haus pamuk brothel
haus pekpek man toilet (men)
haus pekpek meri toilet (women)
haus piksa cinema / theatre
haus sik hospital
haus tambaran art gallery
haus tambaran spirit house
haus win garden house / summer house
 
Interested in having your own Web Site? Worried about the cost? It may be cheaper than you think. Take a look at pricing at the PNG Web Hosting site. Sites with space for 15,000 MB of data, 300 GB transfer per month and 24 / 7 ticket / phone support for less than US$3.00 per month. -- DOT COM Domains from US$9.00 per year.
 

Remember that this mailing list is meant (mainly) 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 31 - 31.5 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 -- The PNG Business and Tourism Directory also has daily rates based from a PNG perspective

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 and use the submission form.

Articles for this newsletter

To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter -- please click here and use the submission form to make initial contact.

Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined then mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.

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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.expedia.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

Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined them mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.

Mention of a website or service does not necessarily mean that this newsletter endorses the website or service



PNG Connect



A new web site by CyberMasta can be found at -- http://www.pngconnect.com/. -- CyberMasta has some more web sites in the pipeline almost ready to release. Watch this newsletter to find out when the sites come online.

If you are interested in PNG Orchids then I suggest visiting -- http://www.orchidspng.com



AIDS in PNG



An article about AIDS in PNG can be located at -- http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/10/23/png.aids.ap/index.html -- thanks to Sharon in USA for the link to this article.



Tingim Yut Kompetisen



Tingim Yut Kompetisen is a nationwide competition aimed at finding and funding good ideas that address the major challenges facing PNG's young people in their communities. The competition is an initiative of the World Bank in partnership with Air Niugini, Airlines PNG, Bank South Pacific, Coral Sea Hotels, the Department of Community Development, Divine Word University, NASFUND, Pacific Enterprise Development Facility, Port Moresby Grammar School, UNDP and UNICEF. A rather lengthy URL will take you to the World Bank web site dealing with the Kompetisen but try this tiny URL first -- http://tinyurl.com/dryqe -- rather than the actual url.



South Pacific Tourism



The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated inter-governmental body for the tourism sector in the South Pacific. A web site can be found at -- http://www/spto.org -- SPTO members include the Pacific Island nations of the Cook Islands (Cooks), Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Solomons, Tahiti (French Polynesia), Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG). China is also a country member of SPTO. The SPTO web site contains one of the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date accommodation and activities listings for the South Pacific providing a complete guide on where to stay and what to see and do in the South Pacific Islands.



PNG Missions



Here are a few of the websites run by PNG Missions overseas. If you know of any other sites please send an email to this newsletter so the list can be updated.

The Official web site of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) High Commission in Australia can be found at -- http://www.pngcanberra.org

http://www.pngembassy.org -- Embassy of Papua New Guinea to the Americas, Washington, DC



ICCC Web Site



The Independent Consumer & Competition Commission has a web site located at -- http://www.iccc.gov.pg -- The ICCC is PNG's economic regulator and consumer watchdog.



Taklam Guest House



The Guest House, actually it is now called Taklam Lodge and Tours, was originally located in Rabaul but was relocated to Kokopo after the twin volcanic eruptions destroyed Rabaul in 1994. They commenced operations in 1990 offering a home away from home service. A web site is located at -- http://www.taklam.com.pg/


News Items

Public Servant Cuts



The government has plans to cut the number of public servants next year by reducing salaries and abolishing non-productive departments. If successful the government will be able to free up money to enable them to deliver more services to the people. It is expected that the Finance and Treasury minister, Bart Philemon, will table the 2006 budget in parliament on The 15th of November.



TST Fire



The recently completed TST store in Boroko, just down from Brian Bell, was burnt down a week ago. The fire started at about 11am on Friday and due to a lack of breathing apparatus the fire brigade just across the road from the store could do little except attempt to spray water on the fire from outside the building until rescued by a private company with breathing apparatus. One of the fire tenders from Jackson's airport had to be called in to help fight the fire and water had to be diverted to increase pressure for the fire fighters.



Pangu Party



One fragment of the once strong Pangu Party is considering merging with another political party. Of course as PNG politics go another fragment says that there is nothing on the table when talking about a proposed merger. The Party now only has six Members of Parliament and those six are having to undergo a leadership struggle between Chris Haiveta from Gulf and Rabbie Namaliu from East New Britain. It has been tipped that they may join up with the National Alliance party.



New MI Booklet



The Melanesian Institute has published a booklet about the issues modern women and children face in Papua New Guinea's society today. "Emerging Issues for Women and Children in Papua New Guinea" by Jeline Giris and Theresia Rynkiewich outlines the traditional roles women played and continue to play in Papua New Guinea. The book aims at bringing to light the new, modern challenges women face now, in contrast to what they faced in the past. It gathers together up to date statistics and information on Papua New Guineans' lives. Interesting scenarios are also included, with comparisons between 'a typical day in the life of' a village woman in the highlands, a woman from the coastal village, and a single young working woman in town. These scenarios show the different traditional and modern issues women experience. The book is an ideal resource for students of all levels, and people interested in today's PNG. It is sold for only K5 (excluding postage). For more information contact the Publication Department, Melanesian Institute on PO Box 571, Goroka, phone at 732 1777 or email -- mi_books@online.net.pg. -- http://www.mi.org.pg -- The Melanesian Institute is a non-government organisation undertaking independent research into Melanesian cultures.



Speaker's Chair



Almost a year ago Manus M Charlie Benjamin disgraced Parliament and the Speaker by occupying the Speaker's Chair after the Speaker Jeffrey Nape had suspended Parliament on the 10th of November last year. For his actions it looks as if the MP will be suspended for 90-days. It is considered that tough action must be taken against him to deter other MP's from considering similar action in the future.



Cassava / Ethanol



Villagers from Central Province have leased land to a South Korean company to start a project to produce ethanol from cassava. Up to 3,348 hectares of customary land has been leased for a period of 40 years. It is expected that another 3,800 hectares will also be signed away for 40 years for the project.



Petrol Prices



What is the official price of petrol in Port Moresby, one fuel chain is charging 3.17 per litre and another one is 3.163 per litre?



Peace Deal



A peace deal brokered between two warring tribes in the Eastern Highlands by AusAID has irked Henganofi MP, Doctor Banare Bun. Representatives of AusAID brokered the deal between the Ikanofi and Kriunafe tribes. Dr Bun has warned that the peace deal could not be sustained as the aid agency could move out of the province at any time. In the Eastern Highlands, over the last five years, more than 50 people have died as a result of tribal fights with Henganofi district toping the list with more than 20 deaths.



Air Niugini Raffle



The Air Niugini Staff Sports and Social Club in a bid to raise money for their ball to be held on the 1st of December are raffling off a pair of business class return tickets to either Singapore, Manila or Narita. If anyone is interested in obtaining more details about the raffle then contact Cathi, part of the fund raising committee on 327 3590. This is the first Ball for Air Niugini staff and friends for many years.



Student - Police Clash



Three students are dead and 20 others have been injured in a clash with police at Porgera. The clash was set off after the headmaster and his deputy allegedly harassed the public while under the influence of alcohol. When police went to the school to arrest the pair students blocked the way and threw solid objects at the police. Police, fearing for their lives, opened fire with live ammunition to clear the crowd. It is alleged that the headmaster mobilised the students. The students were in the middle of their examinations and were angered by the police's attempt to arrest the headmaster. What else do they teach in schools?



Ramu Rum



Rum made from Ramu sugar was recently given to attendees of the Pacific Island Forum after their visit to Madang. It is unlikely that the people of PNG will see Ramu Rum for at least another four to five years. Ramu Sugar presently sells alcohol to distillers in PNG, Fairdeal Liquors and Trade Winds as well as exporting to Australia. Ramu is currently diversifying and has planted over 4,000 hectares of Oil Palm. They also produce beef with a current herd of 16,000 animals. This is on top of the 10,000 tonnes of sugar exported annually to the Pacific and USA.



Government Performance



The Finance and Treasury Minister, Bart Philemon, has said that if he gives an honest assessment of the performance of the present government since it came into power he could only rate it as a three out of ten. He says that is being self critical and because they are not performing as a government. He also questioned why the government had not made any inroads into tourism. He went on to say that the politicians can fool themselves that they can lead the country out of poverty but he has said "When can we do that and what are we waiting for?"



PNG FAQ's



The PNG Frequently Asked Question database needs your help. Do you have a question that someone else may be asking that you know the answer to? If you do then drop a line to this newsletter with the question and answer. If you haven't had a look at the PNG FAQ's then do so by visiting -- http://michie.net/png_faqs. -- Here is a sample of some of the questions that are already answered in the database.

When was Sir Kingsford Dibela elected to be the third Governor General of PNG?

On Wednesday the 1st of December 1982. He was elected through an exhaustive secret ballot winning the job in a final showdown with former lands minister Thomas Kavali by a vote of 59 to 37. He officially succeeded Sir Tore Lokoloko on the 1st of March 1983

Of the 43 known species of bird of paradise in the world, 38 are found in PNG where they are often hunted for their feathers.



Pyrethrum Export



Enga Province is set to benefit for the export of pyrethrum to an Australian company based in Tasmania. The Tasmanian company will process the crude pyrethrum into a sellable product. Enga produces 95 percent of the pyrethrum grown in the country and is also the owner of the factory that processes dried flowers to extract pyrethrum. The factory is based at Kagamuga just outside Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. Pyrethrum is used in the formulation and packaging of natural insecticides. The Tasmanian company, Botanical Resources Australia is one of the four main players in the pyrethrum industry in the world and controls 30 percent of the market dealing with refined pyrethrum products.



Dietary Products



A company described as being a K2 company in parliament has applied to the Minster for Health to import chemicals supposedly to make dietary and weight loss products. The ingredients, ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine, can also be used to make "ice" or "ecstasy" a synthetic psychoactive drug. A K2 company is worth little more than the paper the company registration certificate is printed on. It is doubtful whether the Health Minister is legally allowed to give the approval to import such substances.



Police Patches



Here is a copy of an email received about Police Patches. --

Dear Sir, my name is Maudlyn Gébert. I am a woman police officer from the Mauritius Police Force. I am posted to Rodrigues Island. My request to you may sound unusual and I apologise for any inconvenience. I collect police patches world wide and I have just acquired 2 patches from Royal Papua New Guinea. I need to know from what unit is the second patch as there is nothing mentioned except SRI Police. Should you not be a position to help me, can you please refer me to someone else? I have a web site dedicated to patch collecting and also to promote Rodrigues Island at -- http://gebert.net.tc/ -- Thanking you in advance for your help.

Police Patch Collector
Member of IPA ( Mru) & IAWP
Canadian Police Insignia Collectors Association
Honorary Member of PICA Australia
Home page: http://gebert.net.tc/
Mobile: +230 8752388



Morobe Sorcery



Over 300 people from three villages in the Wain-Erap area of Nawaeb District have been arrested and charged by police for allegedly practicing sorcery and cargo cult.

The definition of Cargo Cult can be found at -- http://www.bartleby.com/65/ca/cargocul.html -- and also -- http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=20632&tocid=0

More can be found about cargo cults at
-- http://www.anthropologising.ca/writing/carcult.htm
-- http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c79.html
-- http://www.coolth.com/cargo.htm
-- A slide show can be found at -- http://anth.ucalgary.ca/DHatt/Anth473/Cargo.htm



Popondetta



Due a shortage of diesel fuel in Popondetta PNG Power has had to commence a load shedding schedule to try and stretch what fuel is available for the provincial capital until new stock turns up.



PNG Men Say No



Wear a white ribbon. The White Ribbon is a symbol of men's opposition to men's violence against women. Men who wear a white ribbon demonstrate their opposition to violence against women and their commitment to equality between women and men.

I notice that the PNG Info website is still running its poll on the subject whether "PNG men are violent" or not. The results seem biased but maybe that is the real answer. Take a look yourself and vote -- http://www.pnginfo.com/survey.html



Coming Events



20th November -- Universal Children's Day

25th November -- Day Against Violence Against Women

1st December -- World AIDS Day

Miss PNG Crowning night -- the 3rd of December at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Port Moresby. For more information about the 2005 Miss PNG Red Cross Society Charity Quest or your intention to support the Quest please call the Quest Coordinator Ms. Aiva Tamate at the PNG Red Cross on telephone 325 7016 or 325 8577 or fax 325 9714.

Air Niugini Ball - 1st December 2005 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Port Moresby.

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games -- March 2006.

2006 - April 8th to the 16th -- National Game Fishing Titles

PNG 31st Independence Anniversary - 16 September 2006






PNG Media


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-- THE END --

In Tok Pisin - em tasol

For other ways of saying the end please pay a visit to -- ../emtasol

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

If you can add to this list then please click here and use the submission form.

 



Created 16 Nov 2005
Updated 6 Nov 2005


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