Lae Is Busy!

Preparations for a New Town on the Hill :: Lorry Transport For the Goldfields

From a Travelling Correspondent

Port Moresby, July 2.

I MADE a visit to Lae recently, and noted much activity. It is now the natural administrative and distribut ing centre of the western part of the mandated area.

Lae now is beginning to “dig its toes in”; and all the settlers I have met as sure me they are “going to give it a good go”—which I think is characteristic of old times. Many have returned hopeful; others are not so hopeful.

Native servants are coming forward, as their old masters return. One employer told me he “had nine boys come along to make paper,” but he could not employ them, because it is almost impossible to secure anything at the stores.

Lae is suffering from a shortage of beer, spirits and tobacco, though of late some American cigarettes have appeared on the shelves of some stores—at £1 per carton.

Lorries rush about the place all day, and one wonders what their mission must be. Many natives have purchased War Disposals lorries and wagons but, as soon as the “salvaged” benzine runs out, and they cannot obtain “spares,” we shall see lorries parked in numerous villages throughout the District. Then again the old “wheel-wheel” will come into its own.

The Public Works Department seems to be doing a good job, as far as they are able —tor natives do not seem keen to work for the Government —no doubt this is due to the fact that it has (or did have in their eyes) some association with the Army.

The many miles of military roads made by the Americans and Australians are now badly needing repair. But, with the labour available, those responsible are do ing a good job.

The Administration Offices are situated in a wonderful spot, commanding a view of the Huon Gulf, far beyond Salamaua Mr. May and Matron Thorburn are doing a fine job at the European Hospital, which is also “up on the Hill.” The hill is known to the natives as “Namulula,” after the Administrator’s former residence on the hill in Rabaul, regarded as the “seat of Government.”

The Army (American) put in a won derful water supply for the town of Lae.

By gravitation, water is supplied to ship ping and for domestic use. But lam told that this is to be “scrapped,” due to the cost of running the system. Consequently no more buildings with galvanised roofs are to be sold—they are to be “reserved”

for Government use. The settlers are to go back to rainwater catchment —which seems a pity, in view of the present in stallation, which is giving every satis faction.

The Department of Public Health is opening up drains —a most difficult job, due to the fact that the whole of Lae practically was “levelled off” by bulldozers.

Many of the survey marks were thus ob literated.

Several old settlers are cleaning up blocks with a view to rebuilding.

“Scotty” McEwen is about to erect a model bakery at Lae, on the former site of Greenwood and Laws. A bread depot is already in operation at Lae, which does away with a trip of some 12 miles, to purchase bread.

Jeeps, which are everywhere, are known as “hot,” because they will all be called in. under some Lease-Lend arrangement yet to be propounded.

Mr. Mick Leahy and his Carrying Com pany are doing a fine job on the Labu- Wau Road, carting machinery and neces sities to people “on top,” at the goldfields.

Lorries, fully loaded, are ferried across to Labu, beyond the mouth of the Markham, on a landing barge.

No buildings will be erected in Lae un til the report of the Town Planning Com mitee has been made known, as a re orientation of the township is antici pated. This suggests that Australia is not going to “drop” the place—at least, for the time being.

I must thank many of the “old hands”

for information received, and I look for ward to another visit to Lae in the near future.

Mrs. Tuckey has resigned her post as housekeeper at the European hospital, since the sad loss of her only remaining son. Everyone expresses their sympathy with this well-known identity of New Guinea. Mrs. Edie Gray is on her way to take up the position—so we shall have yet another “old hand” back with us.

Quite a few of the old residents from these parts who were engaged in Port Moresby have developed itchy feet, and have returned here. Mrs. Frost is one— she is now managing the mess for the Morobe Transport Co.

GRADUALLY, people are returning to the “town” area. The bridge that connects us with the outlying dis trict, where several of the Government Departments are situated, is due to col lapse any day now, and this would iso late Lae from the scattered population on the other side. Formerlv, it was a 10miles trip in and out, to buy a loaf of bread. To-day, bread is obtainable in Lae. The Burns Philps freezer—or rather, the portion still standing—has been “ticking over,” and it is rumoured we will soon have fresh meat “when the ‘Mon

toro’ comes in”—that is, if the Commos down your way feel like loading it!

Everyone here remarks on how lucky they were to “get out of Aussie” when they did. Even the new hands feel that way about it, so your industrial and living conditions must be pretty bad.

The Morobe Bakery has started to erect its new premises on the site in Lae form erly occupied by Greenwood and Laws.

The Labu-Wau Road is a busy place these days as the Bulolo Dredging Co. and New Guinea Goldfields are “getting a go on.” Each arriving plane brings a few of the old hands, who land with a smile of satisfaction on their faces. Who wouldn’t, these days!

There was an exchange of messages be tween the Prime Minister (Mr. Chifley) and the Governor of New Caledonia (M.

Tallec) on the occasion of the return to Noumea of the Caledonian volunteers who fought overseas with the Free French Pacific Battalion. The French Minister in Canberra (M. Auge) also sent Noumea a radiogram saluting the returned men, a number of whom participated in the Sydney Victory March in June.