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THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1955.
ISLAND NATIVES ESCAPE FROM DEVIL'S ISLAND
LOSING THEIR SUPERSTITIONS
By LIONEL HOGG.
Darwin, June 30.
From a tin school-house on lonely Melville Island, the island outpost of Australia, north of Darwin, the sounds of reading, writing and arithmetic are driving away age-old superstitions. T Sturdy, olive-skinned natives they are learning to read and write English and their children sing today the songs which white Australian kiddies learn in their city schoolhouses. But the sacong-clad lubras, four-year-olds, clap and weave squatting in the shade of paw-in the intricate movements of paw, trees and puffing on pipes the tribal dances of their
from the ends of crabs ancestors. mad chu's,
still cling to some their ancient superstitions.
They make routine journey to the hills before their babies are born so that the infants will not begin their lives near, the
To be born near the sea. they say. is bad. The baby be comes a "rairball."
SUPERSTITIONS FADE
JOINED IN
Not to be cutdone, three- year-old Peter Ingram joined in too.
Native welfare authorities are
keenly interested in this pro- gressive settlement pians for its future.
and Have
Nearly all the natives at the MOSCOW VODKA
But under the impact Dimament have hookworm, the If not prepaid a booking fee example and the ideas learned in parzsille pest which comes with
of 50 cents is charged.
WANTED KNOWN
DR. SCHOLL'S Foot Comfort. Ser- vice, Telephone House Siemanmer Hongkong provides the expert atten- tion your feet deserve-by, London- qualified Chiropodist.
MUSICAL
FOR SALE
the tin
The authori- ties plan to move the settlement to higher and healthier ground and hope that the pest will soon disappear.
school, belief in these poor sanitation. superstitions is fading.
When one of the women nearly died recently in giving birth to three-pound baby, the white men's ambulance came from the akies and whisked her away to the safety
છે. hospital in Darwin. The woman lived, and so did the baby.
fני
RACKET
Moscow, June 30. Bottles of vodka are being smuggled into Blessew beer halls and snack bars, where sales of the potent Russian spirit are barred as 3.curb on drunken-
ness.
A year ago, a Government decree prohibited the sale of: vodko anywhere Except restaurants, where it was to be consumed caly with food.
special
feature of this
year's Searchlight Tattoo
which will take place at the White City, London, July 4-8, will be the arrival of a "dying saucer which will land in the centre of the arena bringing two visitors from Mars, This Flying Saucer has been built by RAF Maintenance Command. Uxbridge, as their contribu- tion to the Tattoo. Tho "Martians" who will alight from the
sabeer, wearing space suits, will be 15-year- ald boy Brian Sheppard of the RAOC School. Alder- shot and 23-year-old WRAF Molly Day, a clerk stationed at Ruislip. "Picture shows: "The "Martians Brian Shep-
2115 pard (left)
WRAF (right) seen entering the "Flying SaucET"* · Čuring a dress rehearsal of their part in the Searchlight Tattoo at the White City, --- Express Photo..
Surprise Meeting For Author Of
Dry Guillotine
Port of Spain, June 30.
Twenty years ago, six bearded, bedraggled men crazed with hunger and thirst, stumbled ashore from a small open native-built cance on to a beach in Southern Trinidad. “
They were in a pitiful state and some negro fishermen rushed to their aid. Some of the fishermen climbed up nearby palm trees lining the beach and brought down coconuts.
Froth the water inside the Their food was running out nuts, the sky men quenched and they collected as much rain their thirst, and from the mit water as they could
to quench itself they had their first food for several days.
They had a dramatic story to tell
their thirst. A few days later, they sighted land again This time it was the coast of Vene- zuela and such was the plight
All Frenchmen, they had just of the roon that a dispute arose not they
Paris Treaties taken past in one of the most as to whether
A Bargaining
Counter
Bonn, June 30..
مین
sensational mass escapes - from should head for the land the dreaded Devil's Island in sight.
French
Gulana, en the east The situation became coast of South America:
THE LEADER
in
}
more
tanse when Rene Belbenoit with one hand on the tiller whipped out a revolver and covering his told thema: "We
Leader of the escape and in-companions terpreter for the party was carinot be far from Trindad HERR Erich Ollenhauer, West Rene Belberalt. He had made and when we reach there we
German Social Demceratic three previous attempts to shall be safe."
as
opposition leader, sald here escape. He told how he and his One of the six men had to today the West must betive companions, liberes or time-be tied up following a short prepared to use the Paris expired conricts, decided 40 scuffie which threatened to treaties rearming West make bid for freedom though capsize the canoe.
that recap- a "bargaining realising full well
there Not long afterwards, in the coming ture meant a further term of were cries of joy as the hills &f Geneva Four Power talks.
southern Trinkad were sighted. imprisonmemping-off point Herr Ollenhauer fold his Farty
was They were possibly the same much hills which Christopher Co- executive the treaties could St Laurent de latoni be replaced by
from the lumbus saw when he discover- agreements favoured by escapers
penal settlement. With food anded Trinidad in 1498, Axing another status for #1
water for eight reunified Germany,
alender canoe
ACCEPT DUTIES
rough keel,
Cays
LANDED
in their Abted with
They made for the coast and there was not laried
They had been at sea for enough room fur the six men to stretch themselves, far less to seventeen daya and covered Lie down and
sleep.
The Territory's Director of Native Welfare, Mr H. C. Gless, is hoping to establish industries on the island.
will soon Не have" power to recommend loans The natives realised that had for up to £A1,000 to help any
to the hills, mother native to start a business. the gone LÁTEXT LPS Kansky's Opera Sacco, and child would both have died. Among the island's assets ar Sot:vent de Hangie. Chantez
The whte men call this settle its milions of feet of Tagans, Volens, L'Amo
Flamenco
cypress The natives and a mill to cut the timber. Anthology, Gultas Salos ele. Specialment Snake. Bay. orders accepted for Spanish, French, German, Russian, and Italian lang ay "Milikapiti" meaning "is But Mr Giese hopes that its
This was intended to cut down age courses by D. Esses, 4A, bostone" in their vowel-rich ton-crabs, oysters and fish will find Voeux Ré, Room 1. 2nd Ap«r, tele- [que,
a ready sale in Darwin, to the drunkamess, especially among phone 30108.
For years. the Territory's southk. He died has hopes for a workers who dropped into local Native Affairs Department has market for the cashew nuts, the beer halls or street Corner re- been fighting the battle against bananas and the
Molly Day paw-paws treshment kiosks for "a quick
A reunited Germany must be superstition, polygamy and the
which (papayas)
ready to accept all the duties evil of hookworm in this remate there.
cf a free people towards its comer of Australia, The tin "But looking even further The law is now being broken
own and other nations security Navigating by the sun and school-house is their biggest ahead than these markets," Mr by beer-hall and snack-bar at
within * collective security stars, they held a northward studen
Gies told me, I can't see why tendants who tolerantly allow
system agy
agreed upon between
course. with wind filling their 1 flaw in on the fortnightly the children you saw today in customers to bring bottles of
the big powers, he said. makeshift sail They CHIVALRY ANTIENT SCRIPT. Anmistion run,” which an Avro the school cannot become agri- vodka with them when they
HETT Olenhauer attacked the Georgetown in British Gui stationery of distinctioa.
makes Arson
10 the lonely cultural experts and timber come in for glass of beer.
Government for passivity" in but knew that that was London, June 30. boxre containing 35 By sheets and envelopes or 10 sirutk sherus and northern settlements, and met the workers or even school teachers
Mr Kuruvila Zachariah, Mis- the reunification question and haven. Rene Belbenoit on. one their envelopes Walte or grey, 3 per Protector and friend of Aberi-or professional men and women.
newspaper "Evening torical adviser in the
High
sold it must remale "problem of his previous escapes, had learney to Dox, White envelopes and notapaper
whose
some beer-hall Commission of India in London. "You might think I am ok- Moscow," said
No..1" both at Geneva and in reached Georgetown only to be the also available boxed separately. On Rines, Mr Paul Ingram, sale at S. C. M. Posi
wife and two children have been ing to far ahead, but fust watch attendants ever indulgently pro-died Hammersmith
A
Post-
expected Moscow talks of returned to Devil's at the settlement for nine months.the next generation for the big vided glasses for the illett Graduate Hospital today, He
Mr Ingram has an officiaf titie, changes."China Mail Special vodia-China Mall Special. was 6-France-Presse. A but his unofficial work calls for
18 MM. Motion Picture Camera, Bel and Howell Filme 20 with three lens and Filmo Sound Frojector Bell and Howel 178A, both 20% new, welcorsa ofer Box 11" "China Mail'
Litractive
STAMPS
SUCCESS.
SOMETHING EXCLUSIVE, Collee him to be farmer; sawmiller,
Lora paukels of assorted
stamps. electrician, mechanic, carpenter, patimaker and part-time punter
From 50 cents per pocket upwards,
An entirely new series. South and fisherman. China Morning Post Lit, Wyndham Street. Hongkong and Buad. Kowloo
Salisbury
He has to be all these things to help his native charges in their ALBUMS "Collection any activities from gathering Builder" serless New stock now food and building to their opera-
STAMP
Available. Morning Post
$3. From Sout: Chination of a sawmill, cutting the
Lid Wyndham island's giant cypress log- Street Rengkong And Salisbury Road, Kowloon.
NOTICE OF REMOVAL
ሓ
The practice now carried on by the undersigned registered medical practitioner at I,
Mrs Ingram, a radio announcer before her marriage, is the island's "doctor." +
LUXURIOUS LIVES
"It is like your own island, here," Mr Ingram taki me. "We grow our own vegetables and thero are plenty of Oysters. and tropical fruit. crabs, fish
Salisbury Road, will, as from We, do not live in a palact, but the 1st July 1955, be carried the life is luxurious in ther on at
WONE."
"The
7. Ice House St. (Fu House) Clair
Room 604
Consulting hours: From 10a.m. to 12 Noo
From 5 to 6 p.m. Telephone: No, 22611. Dr. D. ENGEL F.R.C.S. (Edin.). M.D. (Bpest.), L.R.C.P.S. (Edin,)
NOTICE
CHINA FLEET CLUB TOMBOLA
schoolmaster is Mr St ("Sandy") McKay, onc- tim, soldier, teacher
in the more civilsed parts of Australia.
station, hand, and
But, by applying a deceptively casual drive to his work, Mr McKay has achieved cutstanding results with the native peoples. Eight months ago, the island's 160 adults and 40 children could not read or write. Today, the children read and write well, and the adults are not far behind them.
Mr McKay has barred "pid- gin" English" from the island and insists on everyone speak- ing either the native dialect or good English.
DIRECT METHOD' "The direct method of each- In order to comply with newing has been the answer." Mr
McKay told me.
"I show the
conditions governing tombola, children pictures with the names the General Committee regret under them and make them re- that ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Feat the word over and over are no longer permitted play in the Club.
gain." Thetr pronunciation to again.
good
although I have already, not yet started
on phonetics! He encourages the children ta dance corroborees, the natives' story-telling dances.
Edgar a 24-year-old native, To ADVERTISERS and a 28-year-old girl named. McKay. Neither
not
Manager.
booked.
later noon on Wednesdays.
Dally, help Mr
SUNDAY POST-HERALD could read 107 write eight Space for commercial months ago.
But they advertising should be went to Mr. McKay's right
classes than
and are now able to teach the youngsters,
Island schooling is Informal, For the SOUTH CHINA The children walk about talking MORNING POST and the to each other and comparing CHINA MAIL, 48 hours work. Mr. McKay smokes while before date of publication. | he superintends the class.
At corroborze time each day, Special' Announcements the big children hum in imita- and Classified Advertise. tion of the native wind instru- ments as usual,"
Iment, the didgeridoo, while the
MESSAGERIES MARITIMES
P.O. Box 53 Queen's Building Tel: 28851
FAST PASSENGER/FREIGHT SERVICE
“VIETNAM” "CAMBODGE"
*MEKONG" "DONAT
sailing July 17th
Bailing Aug, 18th
FAST FREIGHT SERVICE
sailing July 5th Bailing Aug. 17th
Now
wild one."
The
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN
REMEMBER THE
ILLUSION WE DID
AT THE COLLEGE
CF MAGIC?
ALEENA GESTURES|
A FISH SEEMS TO APPEAR --
FERDINAND
LION
NANCY
'
about 800 miles exposed to the alternating torments of biting salt spray and burning sun.
They were brought to Post of Spain and housed and fed, but were told
they would have no to leave Trinidad and continue
that
Rene Gedong
Island.importes, "because it was
to find work in
the Chancelier, Dr Konrad where he Was thrown Into Cayenne or St Laurent de Adenauer-Reuter,
prison again.
By Lee Falk and Phil Davis
YOU DID REMEMBER / SEE? YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN THOSE DAYS! ĮBUT I'D FORGOTTEN HOW WONDERFUL
YOU REALLY ARE, MANDRAKE--
I WONDER
I'LL
| WHAT HIS
THAT MAN IS
NEW IN
FIND
NAME 15
QUT
TOWN
JOHNNY HAZARD
AS THE FLAME SLEWS TO A JOLTING
| STOP RUDY FALLS AGAINST THE
| FRONT PANEL (GARD,
THIS IS FOR SHAP! HAVEN'T SOTATIME NOW TO FINISH THE
·SCORE! REA
SHARI SHARI... WHERE ARE YOUR YOU. ALL RIGHT?
UA-1°C BETTER
SEE WHAT HAPPENED 30} LOTHAR-1
SLOTH
SLOTH
By Mik
By Ernie Bushmiller
· MAY · I HAVE YOUR
| AUTOGRAPH,
MISTER ?
-EANIS QUSHMILLEL
By Frank Robbins
GUTE ALL RIGHT, MR. HAZARD - |WAND ISN'T IT COP HOW SOME | PEOPLE CAN SLEEP THROUGH ANYTHING 77
TALK
ABOUT
MAGIC!
Have you seen
Admiral
AIR CONDITIONERS
AND REFRIGERATORS
GAM
*THE JAM THAT MUS TASMANIA FAMOUS.
DAIRY BOX
MILK CHOCOLATE
this situation
calls for a
San Miguel
Marocl. We are seeking a fresh
start in life."
Their own craft was now un- seaworthy so the authorities in Trinidad provided them with a- boat which was provisioned by sympathisers.
When
again en they put to sep there were only five men, all it and rested. The sixth had re- ceived money from relatives in France and gone by ship to and Germany. Rene Belbencit his companions salled several hundred miles westward and off the coast of Columbia, they were shipwrecked. They were arrested and put in prison
Rene Belbenoit escaped and made his way to Panama whence he was deported to the Republic of Costa Rica. He jumped a ship which took him to Los Angeles. In America, he was imprisoned for illegal entry. EXCITED INTEREST His case excited
some inter- est In America and syn-
among then
pathisers
Eugene Williams,
a
Mr
prose-
well-known!
American lawyer who
cuted General Tojo, Japan's wartime Prime Minister 19
WHIT
criminal, secured
per-
mission for him to remain in
America. Their contention was
that Rene Belbenoit his debt to society crime and
should
had paid
for bls be given chance to rehabilitate himself.
Rape Belbenoit," author of best selling book entitled "Dry Guillotine", dealing with life at Devil's Island and own- er of a small general store in Los Angeles, has now applied for American citizenship. He is the only one of the six escapers still alive.
Recently he had surprise
which brought tears to his eyes. Belloving that he was on way to discuss a film based on his experiences on Devil's Island, he was taken to a studio where he was the central figure in half
| programme
an hour's
telling
yenturous life.
televbion of his ad
But that was not all.
MEN WHO HELPED At various points in the pro gramme men who helped Fene. Beibenoit along his life of s cape from Devil's Island to America: stepped from behind the curtain in the studio, to
per him Rene Belbenoit was
the only one laking part in the £35,000 programme who had not been present at the hurried rehearsals, and there dramatic meetings with friends of tar
hire off years deeply affected
One of those who greeted Rens Belbenait in the studio F. Hitchins, was Mr. Courtenay Editor and
Managing Director of Port of Sprin's Trinidad Guardian. Mr Hitchins was pro migent among those who help ed Rene Belbenoit and his four. companiona do
·TEGIZILE
journey to treador after they had been re-equipped in Trinidad an
They had NOTEGER Hone, and other for twenty
For his one-minu
|ance" on Hutchins
the
traveled by air Fort of Spain to Le
by way of New York and
around trip of 10,000 miles
or nearly half way round the World China Hall Special