More Transport
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Progress At Edie
Creek
New Hotel, Electric Light, More Transport
RAPID strides have been made in the introduction of new public utilities to Edie Creek goldfields settlement during the last three months.
The old store at Kaindi, first owned by Mr. Eric O’Connor, later taken over by Mr. Pianti and now owned and managed by Mr. H. D. McGilvery, ex-New Guinea Airways pilot, has been enlarged to three times its former size of about 12ft. wide by 24ft. long. Last month the new store was officially opened, a dance being held to celebrate the occasion. There were ten ladies present and about 50 men, so danc ing partners were scarce, but the Spirit of Fun presided and all enjoyed them selves. The store has introduced elec tric light to Edie Creek.
Mr. Bob Franklin and Mr. Fonce Parer have just completed negotiations for the erection of a hotel at the Creek. This, too, will be situated at the Central Camp, Ka indi. Building has commenced; and, with this in view, two other men are starting in opposition to Mr. Dechert’s lorry service from Wau to Edie Creek, One is Mr.
McIntyre, ex-P.A.T. mechanic, who has two being dismantled, the best parts to be assembled in one lorry. The other man to brave the perilous track is Mr. A. Grabowsky, of Bulolo, brother of Mr. I. H. Grabowsky, of the execu tive staff of New Guinea Airways.
Competition is so keen that Mr. Fred Dechert is at present in Sydney, arranging for the transport of his very latest model Morris truck to Wau early in January.
This truck is so designed that the wind screen is in a line with the front of the radiator, the engine of the truck being underneath the seat, thus giving more space for carrying cargo.
Commander W. Abbie has a line of “boys” busy building a billiard saloon; and Mrs. Alice Bowring and Mrs. Tuckey have recently opened a Mess at Kaindi, where meals can now be obtained at any hour of the day. Previously, casual visi
tors to the Creek had to depend upon the hospitality of the local residents for food and shelter.
If there were a suitable site among those towering mountains for an aero drome, Edie Creek would go ahead in leaps and bounds. But as the surround ing country, for many miles, is just a series of mountains and gullies, aerial transport is out of the question. Not long ago, one of the Aerial Transport Companies considered inaugurating a gyroscopic aerial service from Wau to the Creek, but it was decided that, even when using this type of machine, there would be difficulties in taking off in such country, although landing would be safe.