Notes From Lae
p. 77 · Read in the full issue
From a Special Correspondent.
LAE, Oct. 9, T AE is now a township, ranking high in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, It is a centre of great activity, being the headquarters of Guinea Air ways Ltd. and one of the biggest (if not the biggest) aircraft centres in the Southern Hemisphere. The European population is now around the hundred mark and is increasing each steamer.
Accommodation is being taxed; so much
so that a new hotel has been commenced and is expected to be completed in a month or two. Travellers and others will then be assured of good accommodation and service.
On the evening of October 5 a dinner was held at the hotel to wish hon voyage to Messrs. Boyd and Whitlow. The for mer is proceeding South on leave, and Mr. Whitlow is going East to have an other look at Fujiyama. It was also an occasion to celebrate the birthday of Mr.
C. Steed, an old resident of the Islands.
At another table a dinner party was held in honour of Mr. J. Turner, well-known pilot for Guinea Airways Ltd., who is proceeding South on leave.
A permanent Administration office building has just recently been completed and in the near future an Assistant Dis trict Officer, Patrol Officer and Clerk will be stationed here. A new bungalow is now nearly completed for the Govern ment representative, as is also one for the local manager of Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. In course of construction also is the new bachelor quarters for Vacuum Oil Co. Pty. Ltd. Quite recently the new hangar for Guinea Airways Ltd. was completed and was officially opened by Lady Pearce, in the presence of a representative gathering.
Departures for the South by this Mac dhui include Mr. S. D. Marshall, who will be remembered for his solo flight to Aus tralia and back some time ago in his Widgeon ’plane. Mr. Marshall is leaving his ’plane here temporarily, but hopes to soon return and fly it again to Australia.
Recent returns to Lae include Mr. and Mrs. J. Gething, both looking very well after their holiday, and they brought with them a speed-boat belonging to Mr. Bob Gurney, one of Airways’ chief pilots.
For the last few weeks we have had the pleasure of the company of a number of Bulolo Gold Dredging Co.’s men, who have been down here to construct a new punt to be used in discharging heavy cargo consigned to that firm.