Western Papua Notes

From Our Own Correspondent DARU, April 28.

THE Australasian Petroleum Com pany’s Native Labour Superinten dent, Mr. A. H. Baldwin, is at present at Daru to recruit natives for work on APC’s various fields of opera tion. The Company’s vessels, the “Potrero” and “Davara” are being used for transport. • ♦ * About 12 months ago, a modern diesel-electric plant with a capacity of 15 KVA was landed here for the pur pose of lighting Administration resi dences and offices. To date, however, the project has not been completed, due, it is understood, to lack of an electrician to install the wiring, etc. * * * Over two years ago a handful of local natives conceived the idea of operating a co-operative store and they have been collecting money for the purpose from many parts of the Division. A store has been built and goods to stock same are expected on each vessel.

Whether this can be made into a suc cessful business venture appears doubt ful to many, especially to established traders who find it very difficult to ob tain many lines of trade goods at the present time.

Much more good would come from some co-operative effort to grow food.

The Administration uses vast quantities of rice and meat, both costly items. * * * The Rev. W. Riley has made several trips lately in the LMS launch to out lying stations. The Rev. Ure recently visited Daru on LMS business.