But Shortages of Men and Materials Delay Operations

Heavy Programme Planned

For New Guinea P.W.D.

rERE will be no easy road to rehab ilitation and rebuilding in Papua- New Guinea according to a broad cast by the Director of Public Works, Mr. J. O. Lyons, from 9PA, Port Moresby on November 19.

The obstacles to be overcome before the Department can carry out its full works plan are: The difficulty of getting experienced tradesmen to go to the Ter ritory; the extreme shortage of building materials, shipping, plant and equipment; and insufficient native labour.

Plant and installations taken over from the military authorities at the time of the restoration of Civil Administration were at best temporary measures and in many cases were now breaking down al together.

Mr. Lyons said that the Commonwealth Department of Works and Housing would carry out major works in the Territory, as this Department possesses the necesary engineering experts. It is through this Department that the Town Planning of Port Moresby, Lae and a site on the Gaz elle Peninsula to replace Rabaul, is being executed.

Priority in planning and rebuilding has been given to Lae, as this township was completely obliterated by war activities.

Mr. Lyons said that a preliminary survey had already been completed.

The Papua-New Guinea Public Works Department has been engaged mostly in making damaged Administration build ings habitable and in converting Army buildings into stores, hospitals, etc. The department also completed the re-wiring of Government Buildings in Port Mores

by and extended the high tension line to 9PA radio station. Two diesel gener ators have also been installed in Samarai to replace those taken over from the Army.

PWD future plans included the con struction of wharves at Port Moresby, Samarai, Madang and Lae and the erec tion of cargo sheds at various ports.

Roads with a purely military purpose have been abandoned but roads around Port Moresby are being maintained to a certain extent. When the Town Plan is completed a new road construction programme will be commenced, based on altered road locations.

The Wau-Labu road is being maintained and bridges and culverts will be replaced as staff becomes available. Sections of the road will later be relocated and re graded but in the meantime the road is being kept open and is carrying heavy goldfields traffic. It is expected that the Wau-Edie Creek road will be re-opened shortly.

ANOTHER task of the PWD will be the rebuilding of Hanuabada village near Port Moresby. It is expected that 500 separate dwellings will be constructed there, each connected to water mains and electricity supply.

In conclusion, Mr. Lyons had a crumb of comfort for returned Territorians. He that though unsettled conditions meant that it would be some time before major projects were under way, when they were completed the Territories would be vastly improved in comparison to their pre-war state.