N.G. Goldfield News

Importance of Aerial Transport

From Our Own Correspondent WAU, February 10.

KEEN interest has been aroused at Wau by the arrival of the huge three-engined Junker monoplane, from Germany.

The steadily increasing community, which relies solely on air transport for supplies of every description, is obvi ously conscious of the importance of this event and of the far-reaching re sults that the success of this latest venture will have on their private lives.

Guinea Airways Ltd., the leaders in air transport in New Guinea, are partly responsible for the latest impor tation, which compares favourably with any machine of this description in the world.

In conjunction with the Placer De velopment Co., they have undertaken to transport thousands of tons of heavy machinery to the headquarters of the latter Company on the Bulolo River.

The carrying capacity of the ’plane is in the vicinity of 7,000 lbs., and the process of transhipment promises to be no easy task.

In order to realise the enormity of the undertaking and the many risks it entails, a knowledge of local flying conditions is necessary. To anyone with a personal experience of the usual Weather conditions which prevail be tween Lae, Guinea Airways headquar ters, and Wau, the mere mention of such a contract would be sufficient to enable one to conjure up qualms of doubt as to the ultimate success of the undertaking: but the wonderful record of this company, coupled with their excellent organisation and string of competent pilots, well versed in the intricacies of local flying conditions, is a reassurance in itself.

Moreover, it is undestood that the services of an expert pilot from the Continent have been secured and this move, together with the return of Mr.

A. L. Cross, who has just made an exhaustive study of Junker planes in Germany, augurs well for the project.

Mining Activity

The recent decision of the Common wealth Government of Australia to in crease the bonus on gold has naturally aroused much interest at Wau, the centre of the gold-mining industry in New Guinea.

There is great activity at Edie Creek, the scene of the well-remembered strike of 1926.

Day Dawn (New Guinea) Ltd. are in the midst of preparations for the erec tion of a plant suitable for the efficient working of their interests, and, from latest reports, expect to be in produc tion within a few months. For the past six weeks or so, Guinea Airways planes have been transporting to Wau heavy machinery, which has been quickly transferred to the field of operations.

The distance from Wau to Edie Creek, although only 13 miles by road.

is a particularly severe climb, as the latter is seme 7,000 feet above sea level, whereas Wau is in the vicinity of 3,500 feet; and in order to overcome the difficulty of transport, donkeys have been pressed into service and sleighs have been built in order to make their task as easy as possible.

Many tons of bricks also have been landed on the aerodrome at Wau and are being conveyed to Edie Creek to be used in the construction of furnaces.

The freight on these bricks runs into many thousands of pounds, and it would be no vain boast to say that the cost per brick would exceed the outlay on similar bricks in any other part of the world. This class of work is beset with obstacles and is typical of the work that ever confronts the pioneers of a goldfield.

An excellent roadway is now in the course of construction between the two centres and on its completion the means of communication will be greatly improved.

New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., perhaps the biggest company of its kind in New Guinea, has large interests at Edie Creek and has been instrumental in the preparation of the road. This com pany has been pushing on with its developmental work in a businesslike manner and seems to be doing it with a thoroughness that forebodes well for the future success of the field.

Modern Comforts Now

Available

Up-to-date requirements for the com fort and well-being of the staff have been provided, and the latter are happy in the possession of a modern refri gerator, which is always well stocked with the best meats from Australia.

A comfortable little bakehouse, pre sided over by a competent baker, is also a product of foresight and a decided acquisition to the community.

Water power has been harnessed and sufficient light is generated for com pany requirements. Numerous other activities, coupled with an extensive building programme, simply exude the spirit of progress.

Increased Gold Production

Now that the three months’ statutory exemption for the manning of leases has expired, preparations are being made by the numerous lessees for the maintenance and working of their claims, and an increased production of gold can be expected.

Record Rainfalls

The enormous rainfall for the months of December and January is worthy of note. Records were established both at Edie Creek and Wau, and the con sistency of the falls was remarkable.

In December, the registration at Edie Creek was approximately 25 inches and averaged 80 points per day, whilst Wau, though considerably less, had the imposing average of 50 points, which figure was subsequently exceeded by the registration in January, at an aver age of 57 points per day.

With the advent of February, the rainy season should once more recede and the beautiful weather, of which Wau people are so proud, should once again be with us.