New Guinea Dromes

Who Is Responsible for Salamaua?

FOR a considerable time past there has been a conflict of opinion concerning responsibility for the maintenance of the aerodrome at Salamaua.

The Salamaua aerodrome is one of the three busiest in New Guinea, and its con dition leaves very much to be desired.

The Administration, apparently, has con sidered the maintenance of this landing ground to be the responsibility of New Guinea Goldfields Limited; whereas the latter company quite naturally has argued that as the ’drome is used by the aero planes of practically all the companies, its maintenance should be the care of the Administration. The argument seems to have involved the question of responsi bility for the maintenance of all landing grounds in New Guinea. A good many of these have been cleared by private en terprise ; but when the aerial services have been eventually established for the public benefit, the parties concerned have natu rally asked the Government to take re sponsibility for the continued good order of the aerodromes.

While the discussion has been proceeding the Salamaua ’drome has got into a truly deplorable condition. It is, in any event, subject to inundation, following heavy rains. It is felt that, if its use is to be continued, the Administration should tackle the problem of either raising the level of the ’drome or providing some quick get-away for flood waters.

We are advised that the whole subject of aerodrome maintenance —particularly with reference to Salamaua —is under con sideration at the present time by the T.N.G, Administration and that a decision will be made at an early date.