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[Page 41]
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their departure for unknown waters. The "Madang" came alongside side the NDL wharf today & discharged her living cargo. The "Sumatra" has been requisitioned by our people and is to be utilised as a patrol steamer. She will be armed with a 12pr & a maxim gun. The steam yacht previously mentioned is also to be armed (3pr Hotchkiss & a maxim). The "Berrima" is constantly crowded with niggers all engaged in some way or other, either as porters of in some similar capacity. Our men have taken a great fancy to them and load them up with all kinds of trinkets and goods. It is no uncommon thing to see them with a cambric flag (Union Jack or Red Ensign) across their shoulders & the lid of a tobacco tin fastened thereon. Some, however, are more elaborately decorated, being decked in a red sarong and a Jack-tan cap with HMAS AUSTRALIA on the ribbon. Give a nigger a twist of tobacco, a trinket & a bit of Kai-Kai (tucker) and he will work till he drops.
I have mentioned previously that Lt M--- refers to the Naval Reserve as the "Panto Navy", but for the quintessence of opera bouffe nothing can equal Rabaul. There is at present a prisoner in charge of the German authorities (now under British rule) arrested for an unnameable offence who is kept under the strict eye of the Native constabulary at night, but who by day bosses the said constabulary to his hearts content.
Thursday 17th : We today heard that the SMS's "Sharnhorst" and "Nurenberg" have passed Apia, Samoa, & are heading in our direction. With the "Australia", "Sydney" & "Melbourne" away, the AE1 lost, & the "Yarra" practically a non-entity we are in some trepidation lest "Our Island" should be again wrested from us. We are to coal tomorrow; accordingly we are looking forward to a dirty day.
(See opposite page)