(Ponape District)
NGATIK
(Cont'd)
of 42 pupils, and a Protestant mission school, with 22 pupils.
The new public school building is of thatched-roof, opensided, coral-floor construction, is of sufficient size, and
was well-equipped with supplies and native-made furniture.
The native teacher had been trained at Ponape, appeared pro-
ficient, and was news The pupils, ranging up to the third
grade, nere impressive in singing, their enunciation being
particularly goods
The inspection party was informed that
another native teacher, who had come from Ponape, had been
discovered smoking cigarettes, and the village elders had replaced him. This ex-teacher was present, desired to return
to Ponape, and was evacuated on his request by the inspection
partye
Sabi
(a)
The new Protestant church was constructed by the congre-
gation, and had concrete floor, framed sides and galvanized
iron roof.
The four lay pastors reported their congregation
numbered 118. The new Catholic church, also of native con-°
struction, had two native missionaries and a reported congre-
gation of 150.
(e)
Economic developmente
Copra is the major export, amounting in value of sales
to $4,021.63 during the last quarterly field trip collections
of the calendar year 1948. Handicraft production has been
small, but is receiving added attention, with concentration
for the present on well-made, checkered pandanus mats. Fish-
ing in the lagoon was reported as excellent, with a resultant
small export of dried fish. Ngatik is self-sufficient in food,
with coconuts, taro, breadfruit, yams, pandanus, bananas, fish,
chickens and pigs. The pigs are kept on one of the other
islands of the atoll.
There is one retail store, supplied with trade goods by
the Ponape Co-Operative Company, and had adequate stock on
hand.
agree
The island's overall economy is presently dependent on
naval export and import shipping.
(f)
Rehabilitation is completed on Ngatik.
(g)
Services.
(1)
Transportation within Ngatik atoll is by outrigger canoes,
of which there were a barely-sufficient number, and by ex
Navy whaleboet.
An additional ex-Navy boat would be helpful.
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