P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 16 May 2004

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PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay

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Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
LONG?
Tok Pisin English
long along
long at
long because of
long tall
long than
long to
long bek backwards
long halivim instead of
long hap? there
long namel long? through
long olgeta ples everywhere
long sampela hap somewhere
long / longpela long
long? for
longlong / het i pas stupid
longlong; waia i lus crazy

 

 

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 29.5 - 30 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.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

Investment Promotion Authority



The Investment Promotion Authority has a web site located at -- http://www.ipa.gov.pg -- If you are interested in investing in PNG then visit this link for information.



Port Moresby Drive-In



Long gone but not forgotten the Port Moresby Skyline Drive has a couple of web sites that still let the memories linger on. Does any reader have any more info because I am sure the authors of the web sites would appreciate help to update their pages?

-- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/drivein.html and -- http://members.optusnet.com.au/~p.berrett/drivein/png.html



Superannuation Funds



The Association of Superannuation Funds PNG (ASFPNG) has a website located at -- http://www.asfpng.org.pg -- ASFPNG is an industry body established in 2002 by interested industry participants with the common goal to protect superannuants retirement savings within a regulated environment whilst fostering a competitive industry.



Scott's Tree Kangaroo



Information on Scott's Tree Kangaroo -- Dendrolagus Scottae can be found at -- http://www.animalinfo.org/species/dendscot.htm



The Drum



The famous Post Courier Column "The Drum" has been in the electronic age for sometime now. For all of those people who are familiar with The Drum you can now email titbits of gossip to -- thedrum@spp.com.pg -- or you can still send a facsimile message to +675 320-1781. For those not familiar with The Drum then I suggest taking a look at the Post Courier website located at -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg -- and follow your nose to "The Drum".



Pryde Furniture



Pryde Furniture in Port Moresby has a website located at -- http://www.pryde.com.pg -- Take a look at the web site and see what the company has to offer.



TV Programming



One of the questions that I get asked frequently is - "what sort of television do you watch?"

I'll list some of the stations that we are able to receive. Along with our local TV station EmTV -- http://www.emtv.com.pg -- we also have access to several satellite broadcasters such as -


Some people have access to other channels and still we can't find anything decent to watch. For more information please pay a visit to -- http://www.hitron.com.pg -- who offer microwave and cable redistribution of satellite services.

For all your cable TV needs in the Morobe Province visit the Tolec Electronics website at -- http://www.tolec.com.pg


 

News Items

PNG Kina



The Kina has been fairly static against the US Dollar but has fluctuated a bit against the Aussie Dollar. The Kina was making a slow rise against the US Dollar until it hit the 30 US cent mark and then it has remained steady. The central bank currently has record reserves to support the Kina, if required.



PNG Scientists



Two young, female scientists are currently researching pneumonia at the PNG Institute of Medical Research in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province. The two girls are also furthering their education. Gimana Poigeno from Central province is pursuing an honours degree in Microbiology and Jacinta Francis who already has an honours degree in Science is pursuing her Masters in Science degree. There is still a need for more scientists to take up studies and research in PNG



Palm Oil



New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) has reported an 18 percent increase in crop harvest during the first quarter of this year compared to the corresponding quarter in 2003. Between January and March NBPOL harvested a record 255,000 tonnes of palm oil fronds. The company has recently gained ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management systems. The company says this shows a commitment by the company to sustainable oil palm production.



East New Britain



The World Bank has funded the upgrading of the road between Kokopo High School and Warangoi Bridge and the construction of a new primary school at Kokopo. The school project will include the construction of classrooms, teachers' houses and ablution blocks for the school. The school project has been estimated to cost K7 million and the road project should cost K8 million. The road project is an important link to not only the Gazelle area and Kokopo but also parts of Pomio.



Madang United Church



The Madang United Church has received a donation of an organ from the Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Sir Peter Barter. Sir Peter said that this was the third organ that he has donated to a mainline church in the country. These have been personal donations from Sir Peter and not from the government coffers and that they replaced organs and pianos that he had donated earlier but had now worn out.



New Ireland Truce



The two New Ireland politicians have agreed to make peace following concerns made by the people of Namatanai living in Port Moresby. Ian Ling-Stuckey, the Governor of New Ireland and Byron Chan the member of parliament for Namatanai, have both agreed that something needs to be done to help bring development to the area. Byron is the son of Sir Julius who was defeated by Mr Stuckey in the elections.



Wewak Court House



The construction of a new courthouse for Wewak in East Sepik Province is progressing slowly. The groundbreaking ceremony was held last year and once the preliminary groundwork is finished construction will start in earnest. This is anticipated to be late May or early June.



Swiss Church



The Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Church (SEBC) has celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in PNG. The celebrations also coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC) in PNG.



Lae Cars Thefts



The theft of cars in Lae is on the rise. Police have recommended that motorists take extra care when driving around Lae especially during the night. The Lae Chamber of Commerce have also issued a warning for members to review their security arrangements.



PX Gun Scare Gun



The gun allegedly carried aboard an Air Niugini flight to Singapore by the Rural Development Bank (RDB) managing director has gone missing. For some reason the gun was being looked after by the acting MD of the RDB and not held by police as evidence. The gun was left in a bag in a car outside Chin H Meen in Tabari place when the car was broken into and the gun stolen. The case against the RDB MD will go ahead despite an important part of the case now missing.



Orchid Show



An orchid show has been planned for the 5th and 6th of June. The show will be held at the Sir Rabbie Namaliu Orchid Gardens located in Parliament House. The two-day even has already attracted over 200 Japanese tourists who will be in the country. PNG has 3,000 different species of orchids and it is believed that similar number have yet to be discovered. Some in areas that researchers have not yet accessed.



Hiri Moale Festival



The Hiri Moale Festival Chairman in the National Capital District has placed tender advertisements in the newspaper for the construction of 1 x four hulled lagatoi and 1 x three hulled lagatoi (trading canoes). The tenders will have closed by the time this newsletter goes out.



Rabbit Farming



Eighteen villages in the Lumi area of Sandaun Province have been encouraged to set up rabbit farms as a source of food in an effort to protect the endangered Tenkile tree kangaroo. Tenkile is the local name for Scott's Tree Kangaroo -- Dendrolagus Scottae. -- http://www.animalinfo.org/species/dendscot.htm -- This is an inititiative of the locally based Tenkile Conservation Alliance. 17 of the 18 villages have already finished cages and are ready to receive the rabbits. The response from the villagers has been excellent. The following villages are taking part in the exercise -



Mount Tavurvur



Mt. Tavurvur in East New Britain has gone quiet for nearly three months, since The 17th of February, and residents are wondering what is going on. The volcano has been active since destroying Rabaul a decade ago. (September 1994).



Mount Bagana



Lava continues to flow slowly down the south side of Mt. Bagana on the island of Bougainville. The lava flow is about four kilometres from the nearest hamlet but still moving. Experts from the Rabaul Vulcanological Observatory have assessed the area and said that the nature of the lava flow suggested no immediate and intermediate risks to the surrounding area.



Wau Mining



Two South Korean investors are interested in financing a mine near Wau in Morobe Province. The two investors were taken on a guided tour of the old mine site at Nami (Wau). It is reported that they made an assessment of the area by taking notes and said they would return to have further talks with landowners.



United Nation's Concert



The Port Moresby International School is once again holding the annual United Nation's Concert at the school oval on the 22nd of May. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact the school for further details.



Bishop David Hand



Bishop David Hand celebrated his 86th birthday on the 12th of May. Bishop David, a retired Anglican priest who was the country's first Anglican Archbishop, is considered a pioneer missionary arriving in the country on the 28th of November 1946 after sailing from Southampton, England on the 31st of September 1946.



Weightlifting



Weightlifter, Dika Toua, has qualified for the 2004 Olympic games by finishing third at the recent Oceania and South Pacific Weightlifting championships held in Fiji. She managed a credible third against experienced weightlifters from Australia and New Zealand.



Trukai Fun Run



The 21st annual fun run to raise funds for the PNG Sports Federation saw over 18,000 taking part in the event. The money raised from the sale of T-Shirts is very important especially this year with the Olympics looming closer and closer.



Swimming Titles



The 5th Oceania Swimming Championships are currently underway in Suva Fiji (15 - 19th of May). The championships are being held at the venue of the 2003 South Pacific Games. Several swimmers and officials are participating in the games including Sue (official) and Krystle Babao (participant)



Health Expo



A successful Health Expo was held last weekend at the Sir John Guise Stadium. Hundreds of Port Moresby residents eagerly looked at the 37 different stalls at the expo. The expo gave the public the opportunity to know what other health services are available besides the hospital.



Bomana Prison



Prisoners at the Bomana jail just outside Port Moresby now have a new chapel and they can proudly boast that it is the only chapel in a PNG jail that is inside the main compound. The chapel was converted from a former barracks at a cost of about K40,000. The chapel to be used by all churches was funded by a fund raising exercise that has been in progress since 1987 by the Filipino Association and Couples for Christ.



Air Fares



Following an increase in the cost of a barrel of oil it has been rumoured that Air Niugini will follow other world airlines and increase airfares to allow for the increase in fuel costs.



Air Niugini



Air Niugini has struck back at a tourism "expert" that claimed that airfares from Australia to PNG were too high to encourage tourism. It would appear that the "expert" quoted business class airfares something that Air Niugini claim that the average tourist would not be paying to travel to PNG. Air Niugini has published a reference showing tourist airfares for stays less than 30 days from Brisbane and Sydney to a few tourist locations in PNG highlighting the fact the fares are not that much different to fares to Fiji a tourist destination that has frequent flights on a daily basis from overseas ports. Of course airfares are just one of the perceived reasons that tourism is not at the forefront of helping to recover the PNG economy.

After several years with Air Niugini the Chief Financial Officer of the company, Steve Wilks, has moved on to become the General Manager of DHL in Bahrain.



Westpac Bank ATM's



After many years lagging behind the other banks in PNG the Westpac Bank has begun to install Automatic Teller Machines for the benefit of its customers. The bank has launched two machines at its Port Moresby branch yesterday (12 May). Another four will be installed in Moresby and Lae over the next six weeks. The ATM's will only process K10 and K50 notes. The machines will be open from 7am to 7pm seven days a week.



Sandau Family Name



"w.k. sandau" <uadnas@yahoo.com> has asked the following question -- What can anyone out there tell me about the Sandau family name?



Deaths



Former Member of Parliament, Neville Bourne died of cancer at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby on Wednesday (12th May). Mr. Bourne was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago. Mr. Bourne was the member for Menyamya in 1982 and held that seat for two terms of parliament. He was also the Minister for Transport.

The Former New Ireland Governor and top policeman, Paul Tohian, has collapsed and died suddenly in Kavieng late on the 13th of May.



Minj



After a court decision made the police unhappy in Minj, Western Highlands, the police led by the station commander attempted to break in to the Public Solicitors office and a law firm. It is alleged that they described the public solicitor as useless. The National Court in Mt Hagen granted bail to 19 people that police arrested during a raid on a village. It has been reported that members of a rival tribe accompanied the police during the raid. An apology has been demanded from each member of the police force that took part in the incident.



Eastern Highlands - Kainantu



The people of Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands are planning a public protest over the on-going criminal activity in and near the town. The community hopes to be able to pressure the police into providing an efficient and effective police presence in the town to deter crime. The protest follows an attack of seven teachers at Barola Hill that resulted in the suspension of classes for two days. Police have said that they are severely hampered because thewy have only one vehicle left running in the area.



MP Funding



During 2000 - 2001 it has been reported that Open Electorate Members of Parliament missed out on K20 million in funding because they failed to submit project proposals for the money. Each of the 89 Open Electorates are entitled to K1 million from the District Development Program.



Singing Dogs



The New Guinea Singing Dog (NGSD) was discovered by the outside world in 1957 when the first pair was brought down from the New Guinea Highlands to the Taronga Zoo. Sydney, Australia. -- http://www.canineworld.com/ngsdcs/

About 100 New Guinea singing dogs exist in captivity but no one knows how many exist in the wild if any! It seems that only anecdotal evidence is available. It is possible that some dogs may exist to the west of Wau, Morobe Province in the mountains. Many people from this area remember seeing and hearing these dogs in the past. It is believed that singing dogs have been in PNG for over 5000 years. Some are reported as being able to climb trees. There are also singing dogs kept in South Carolina in the United States of America.



By-Elections



The police have stated that they are prepared for the coming by-elections to fill vacant seats at Parliament. The Chimbu and Anglimp South Wahgi by-elections are set for the 22nd of May. Police have also said that they have identified measures to control of trouble spots during the elections. Over 1,000 police are now in the Highlands prepared to help election officials run a smooth election.



Rural Lock Ups



The provincial governments have been asked to help build rural lock ups in their provinces to help contain the large number of offenders. About 15 - 17,000 detainees are sent to already overcrowded jails every year. Many of the existing prisons lack adequate security and many of the present buildings should be condemned.






PNG Media


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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

If you can add to this list then please send email to PNG-News@pnggossip.com

 






Created 16 May 2004
Updated 26 May 2004

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