By Friday 24 April 1964, as the Kundiawa News published its fourth issue, my co-conspirator Murray Bladwell and I thought we might be on to something. The three-page newsletter began to cover more local news although the humour (‘Wanted: Bell-bottomed swing swiffle with uther-sonar attachment’) still crept on to the page. A Kundiawa News contribution box was placed in the Chimbu Club. No one was ever known to make use of it….
TOWN PROBLEMS
The central theme of this issue is devoted to having a look at the three main problems which face the town at the present moment.
These are: accommodation for single officers; need for a new Primary A School; and the Chimbu Club dilemma.
Single Officers’ Quarters
A new single officers’ quarters is long overdue in Kundiawa. This is seen by the many single men living in temporary accommodation, staying with other people, or residing in the ‘condemned’ Haus Pig (pictured). In past years there have been many promises made for a Single Mens’ Quarters – it is about time someone acted.
At least there are no rats in the Haus Pig– they’re too smart To avoid an official inquiry they moved out as soon as the RSPCA threatened to take action.
Commented resident, Mr L Davies, “Things are getting so bad that we are thinking of preventing Keith (Tadpole) Jackson from taking his daily swim in the bath. We reason that, when the house goes, the worst plave would be the bath – what with nakedness, plugholes and things.
Commented Keith: “They’re going to stop my daily swim…” He then burst into tears.
A new Primary A School
The Primary A School was due to be finished before the end of the 1963-64 financial year. With a little over two months to go, this seems an almost extravagant dream. Yet woth a little luck the school could be started before this time is up.
Unlike the housing problem, the question of a new school has strong backing, the P & C Association (President: Ray Male) being right behind the move.
Having the school in the Club is an unsatisfactory both to Club members and the school itself. To the club members, the inconvenience of being unable to occupy and utilise the ful area of the Chimbu Club. To the school children and teacher the biggest problem is that the Club has not the atmosphere of a classroom. Also there is no room for expansion of the school.
As Kundiawa grows bigger, as undoubtedly it is going to, the school population is going to grow; and the children have to be put somewhere.
The Chimbu Club
This was the subject of last week’s Editorial in the Kundiawa News, but is such a serious problem that it should be stressed on every possible occasion. The Club, £2,000 in debt and being denied credit by at least one major store, is in an extremely precarious position.
There are three important factors governing the Club’s survival as a profit-making and independent institution: the kindness of our creditors; the activity and ingenuity of our committee; and the support of all Club members.