Administrator Inspects
pp. 17-18 · Read in the full issue
Site
From Our Own Correspondent.
Rabaul, July 14.
HAVING made a quick inspection of the Salamaua area, which has been selected as the site for New Guinea’s future capital, the Administrator (Sir Walter McNicoll) returned to Rabaul on July 11, with Dr. Brennan (Chief Medical Officer) and Mr. Field (head of the Public Works Department).
In an interview, Sir Walter said that the Government offices and residences probably would be situated between Logui aerodrome and Kila Ridges. Portion of this region already has been reclaimed, and plans and specifications have been sent by air mail to Canberra. He was of the opinion that, when the Salamaua site was filled in and properly drained, the malaria problem could be satisfactorily
overcome by the Medical Department.
Commenting on the proposed road to connect the goldfields with the coast, His Honour said that four survey parties are at present working on different routes which are under consideration:— I.—Along the Bitoi Valley; 2—Over the Bitoi Ridge;
3. —The Buang route; 4. —The Markham-Wampit route.
The one selected, continued Sir Walter, need not necessarily be the shortest—it would be more economical to build a road of 100 miles, which rose only 3,000 ft., than one 50 miles long, which rose 6,500 ft.
Wau Miners Favour Buang
Route.
The Mining Association of Wau wants the road, which is to be constructed from the goldfields to the coast, to follow the Buang route, said Mr. H. T. Allen, presi dent of the organisation, when, in com pany with Mr. C. C. Judd (vice-president), he returned by ’plane from Sydney.
In Canberra they placed before the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, and Mr. Hughes, the miners’ represen tations, and pointed out that the Buang route would join with the Bulolo Gold
Dredging Co.’s road (which Is 27 miles long), thereby necessitating only some 55 miles to be built through country suit able for agricultural purposes. The highest point on this route would be 4,000 ft., and the annual maintenance should not ex ceed £lO,OOO. Its steepest grade would be about 1 in 14.