Papuan Notes.

Late Pilot Drayton’s Flights,

From Our Own Correspondent.

PT. MORESBY, December 28.

THE news that the Guinea Airways ’plane had crashed and killed Pilot Drayton and his passenger was re ceived in Port Moresby on Boxing Day with dismay, for it was only the previous Tuesday that Pilot Drayton had flown from Port Moresby to Kokoda and Salamaua and residents had watched with interest his depar ture over the harbour and surround ing hills for the new Papuan landing site in the ranges.

The ill-fated ’plane arrived from the New Guinea goldfields on December 16 to meet Mr. Ward Williams, who had walked overland from Kokoda. During four days Pilot Drayton made eight trips between Kokoda and Port Moresby, carrying cargo for Mr. Wil liams and his party to be transported to the Yodda. On his last flight from Port Moresby on December 20 he pro ceeded to Salamaua after calling at Kokoda, and did not return.

Gold.

Mr. Ward Williams’ activities on the Yodda are encouraging enough to justify a little optimism in the Territory. Gold is what is needed in Papua, and if a gold field of any magnitude could be established, the financial position would be saved.

Mr. F. E. Williams, anthropologist to the Papuan Government, was also a passenger to Kokoda by ’plane on De cember 20. He leaves Kokoda for Imanaturu, the centre of the Govern ment coffee plantations inland from Buna. He was the first Government officer of Papua to travel by ’plane through the heart of Papua on official duties.

This flight which takes only 40 min utes, saves Mr. Williams a monotonous journey around the eastern coast of Papua and through the flat country to the hills from the coast —easily a saving of fourteen days on each journey.

Christmas in Port Moresby is seldom a cheer ful affair. The excessive heat, threatening rain and the persistent mosquito fight stubbornly against any festive desires.

However, Santa Claus did not forget the children of Port Moresby on December 21. In the Institute Hall, a Christmas tree and party was organised by the ladies of the Xmas Tree com mittee, with Mrs. Boch as hon. secretary.

It was a great success, and the children had a happy time after their supper, surrounded by the toys handed down from the tree by Santa Claus himself (Mr. P. H. Leigh). There were 74 children present.

Dancing for adults followed, and was kept up till midnight.

His Excellency, Sir Hubert Murray, paid a sur prise visit, and inspected the Xmas Tree and presents.

Over 2,000 applications for cadetship in the New Guinea Administration ser vice were received when the Federal Government recently announced six vacancies.

View of Noumea from the Bay, showing Me Nou in the foreground.