Radios Part

In Development of Papua and New Guinea

LIFE in the remote parts of New Guinea, Papua, and the neighbour ing islands has been revolutionised by the new teleradio outfits, of which 150 have been installed within the past two years,” said Mr. L. A. Hooke, general manager of Amalgamated Wireless (A/sia), Ltd., on his return to Sydney in mid-September from a visit of inspection.

Mr. J* ooke instanced the case of a man CMr. N. Entrop) whom he met. whose clothing had caught fire from a primus lamp while on the American yacht Vanora”. Although he had quickly lumped into the sea, he was very severely ‘burned. The yacht put in at the Tro bnand Group. where a planter with a teleradio set communicated with Port Moresby.loo miles away. A ’plane flew to the ‘Vanora”, and picked up the patient, who was eventually brought to Sydney for treatment. Nothing else, said Mr. Hooke, but quick action could have saved the man, who was well again in two months.

The “Montoro” upon which Mr. Hooke travelled, was asked by the Rabaul radio station to divert her course to pick up a sick man whose plight had been reported by teleradio from a plantation at Djaul.

The patient was paddled to the ship in a native canoe and taken South for treat ment. His wife was constantly advised by teleradio of his progress and move ments.

Suppplies By Air

Teleradio performed a valuable service withm the past few months for a patrol party working through unexplored coun try in the mainland. The explorers were in daily touch by teleradio with the Ad ministrator at Rabaul (700 miles away), and when they ran short of supplies, they simply said so. An aeroplane was sent out, and, as the country was too difficult to land, supplies were dropped by parachute.

Mr. Hooke explained that planters, ex ploring parties, geologists engaged upon scientific research, and others seldom travelled without teleradio sets which could readily be carried by native bearers Organisations such as Papua Oil Deve lopment Co. and Islands Exploration Co have their own “mother stations” which are in constant touch with officers in outlying places. These stations, work ing with the A.W.A. main stations at the principal centres of population, link the dwellers of the most remote parts with the whole outside world.

“Aviation and radio are jointly per forming a great service of development in Papua and the Mandated Territory of New Guinea,” said Mr. Hooke. “Large ’planes leave Lae and Salamaua daily, lifting loads up to four tons in weight.

When the plant for A.W.A.’s first wire less station was transported from Sala maua to Wau,” he added, “we started with 300 native boys, carrying the gear over trackless country on a journey which occupied six weeks. Recently, a large dredge weighing 4,000 tons was carried in sections over the same country by air.

The air trip between Salamaua and Wau now occupies only 35 minutes.”

Miss Hilda Walker, B.A. (Oxon.), has been appointed assistant teacher at the Anglican St. John’s school for Solomon Islanders in Fiji.