Edie Creek News

From Our Own Correspondent

Edie Creek, March 15.

FEBRUARY has seen two further steps in the growth of our township—the opening of a second store by Messrs. Schrater and Laws under the style of the “Central Camp Store,” and the acquisition of Abbie’s Hall by the Morobe Goldfields Sub-branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. and the Edie Creek Sports Club conjointly. Abbie’s Hall has been a “white elephant” since erection, but with these two bodies as owners it should become a place of life. The Edie Creek Sports Club has been rather in the doldrums the last few months, but the participation in the ownership of this hall with the R.S.S.I.L.A. will probably revivify them.

The Edie Creek Progress Association seems more or less to have faded out of existence. This is a great pity, as it did excellent work whilst active and the need for such a body grows daily.

Residents complain that Edie Creek is neglected by the Administration, and this is very apparent at the moment. It is some time since a Medical Assistant has resided here, and to carry a boy to Wau Hospital is no small undertaking and endan gers life in serious cases. Further, the Native Hospital here, although Edie Creek is the centre of the chief mining activities in the country, is not fully equipped as an ambulance first-aid post.

In the case of a major accident either in the mines or on the road the position would be very

serious. Such companies as N.G.G. and Day Dawn are well equipped for such emergencies and are always helpful, but the public do not think it fair that their generosity should be called upon.

Another drawback is that the big companies are not situated so centrally as the Native Hospital.

The R.S.S.I.L.A. pleased local residents by pass ing a motion asking the Administration for a “fully equipped ambulance post, especially stret chers.” Strange to relate, the “Digger” who brought this matter before the meeting was him self injured by a land-slide within a week, and was carried from the scene of the accident on a door.

The Edie store has been extended by the addi tion of a separate trade store. As this is the only trade store in this area, business should be brisk.

Day Dawn Ltd. have arranged for power from the main N.G.G. Ltd. line and already many of the transmission poles have been erected.

N.G.G. is drawing power from the Bulolo Co. and that apparently accounts for their being able to spare some for Day Dawn. This power will mean a great deal to Day Dawn for the projected hydro-electric station on the Wau Creek is still unfinalised.

Edie Creek Gold Mining Co. N.L.. better known locally as “Developments,” is going ahead very satisfactorily and the general opinion here is that the possibilities of this show have been proved.

Although only a pilot plant is in operation, it is apparently efficient and the recovery is high.

Two “old hands” rejoined us recently. Medical Assistant Cyril Lambert (who did such wonderful medical work here with Dr. Dickson in 1926-7) has joined the N.G.G. staff on loan from the Ad ministration. Residents are pleased to see his smiling face again and to add Mrs. Lambert to the growing list of ladies. Mr. Adrian Lord has returned from his world wanderings. He remarked casually he had “a very quiet time and did not go about much.” He only travelled in Java, Malay States, France, England, Egypt, Australia, and walked around Cyprus !