Quetta
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Wau Builder Off To
Comparison of N.G. and Papuan Workmen
TTAVING spent the last 4J years in erect ing buildings in the New Guinea gold fields towns, Mr. T. Flower sailed from Syd ney early in May for Bombay, en route for Quetta. He has been building in the world’s youngest town, Wau; now he will be engaged in rebuilding one of Asia's oldest towns, Quetta, which was destroyed by an earthquake a few months ago.
Mr. Flower has been a building con tractor for the past eleven years, in Papua and New Guinea. The accompanying photographs published provide specimens of his later handiwork—some of these buildings are of his own design.
“One Papuan is worth six New Guinea boys,” said Mr. Flower. “The Papuan
picks up a knowledge of a European tech nical trade very quickly, and soon becomes a useful workman. But the New Guinea boy is of value only as a labourer—he has no aptitude for technical work. At one time, I had 140 New Guinea boys em ployed. Not more than six of them were the equal of Papuans.”
Top: The new hotel at Lae, chief airport, operated by Guinea Airways Ltd. Sixty tons of sawn pine and cedar timber were flown down from Wau in the big aeroplanes for this building.
Middle: The new District Office at Wau; Mt.
Kaindi in background.
Bottom: The District Officer’s new residence at Salamaua, the goldfields’ seaport and airport.
New buildings at Wau: Top: The new police station. Lower: The Wau Club.