Interesting Development

Air Transport To

Plantations.

Interesting Development In Papua.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Jan. 2.

ONE of the most interesting and sig nificant developments in connection with aerial transport in the South Seas occurred here recently. It is indica ted* that aeroplanes may take the place of motor-launches or lorries in maintain ing communication between Islands plan tations and the various shipping centres.

On December 14, a Guinea Airways Stinson plane, with Pilot Ross, inaugur ated an aerial transport service between Port Moresby and Eilogp Plantation, the coffee and rubber estate owned by the well-known planter of Papua, Mr. G. A.

Loudon, 30 or so miles, in behind the capital.

Twenty trips to and from the planta tion enabled all stores and produce in and out to be handled satisfactorily; and, as each trip occupied only a few minutes, the advantages of the service can be eas ily understood.

Mr. Loudon is the first planter in Papua to take advantage of aerial transport.

He recently made an excellent landing ground on his property, and it is under stood he arranged a satisfactory contract for the carrying in of all plantation sup plies and the carrying out of all produce,to meet incoming vessels, each month.

It is reported that other planters in this Territory, impressed with the ser vice, are contemplating similar arrange ments in the near future. It may be that the problems of transport, which have been uppermost in the more remote dis tricts of Papua will have their solution in aerial carriage.