N pre-war &tg“S

Faith in New Guinea Cocoa Old Resident to Plant up Virgin Land

TN these days, when so many ot thfe I j. w i, -j . uwx ante-bellum residents of the old Man-

the Ter?itory a to fand’ e on New a |rl^ Vl and syrtematicX Plan the and development ot a cocoa estate.

This is Norman Lee who. before the war, managed plantations at Teopasino and Banin, in Bougainville, Potsdam and Kavilo, in Madang district, and also had experience with the BGD in Morobe. En listing at Wau as NGX 176. he saw ser vice with the Bth Division in Malaya and afterwards with ANGAU, after which he was appointed Ship’s Adjutant in

“Ormiston” and “Kanimbla,” with the rank of Captain.

Mr. Lee has now purchased the lease from BP’s of 900 acres of virgin land, situated at Fulleborne Bay. on the south coast of New Britain, between Linden haven and Roebuck Point. His plans are to plant the whole area with cocoa.

“From my pre-war experience,’’ said Mr. Lee, “I am convinced that cocoa is the best of products to develop in New Guinea: and although the Minister, Mr.

Ward, said in a recent statement that the development of tea and coffee would be concentrated on in New Guinea, and does not mention cocoa. I am hoping he will give every encouragement and assist ance to returned men, who are investing

Mr. Norman Lee.

their all in the production of this com modity,”

Mr. Lee has purchased the 40 ft. schooner “Niree” (under 25 tons) which will proceed to New Guinea under its own power. Mr. Bruce Watterson, another old New Guinea-ite, has been engaged as assistant to Mr. Lee. and will be pro ceeding this month to New Guinea in “Niree.”

Mr. Lee expects to go to New Guinea in September, and he will take with him the good wishes of his many friends in his new venture.