M.V. Lakatoi

Now Running in Papuan Coastal Mail Service

THE Papuan coastal mail contract, which covers all the ports of call from Daru, in the far west, to the Conflicts and Woodlark Island, in the east, has been let for one year to Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. The service will be carried on with the new and modern motor-vessel “Lakatoi”.

For some years, this service was car ried on by Steamships Trading Co. Ltd., with the old “Papuan Chief”. When the latter went on the reef, a couple of smaller boats were used.

Coastal travellers will be glad to see the “Lakatoi” on the run. She was built and taken to Samarai when Misima mining was booming; but when the Mt.

Sisa (or G.M.0.P.) enterprise collapsed, there was not nearly enough for the “Lakatoi” to do in Eastern Papua, and residents were much afraid that she would be taken to some other territory.

Mr. R. J. Keegan, who has been Dis trict Officer at Gizo, in the British Solo mon Islands for the past two years, arrived in Sydney during May on fur lough. He is accompanied by his wife and small son.