Qantas Extend Ng Service

Qantas Empire Airways Have Ex

tended their internal air services in New Guinea to link Wewak, on the north-east mainland coast, direct with Rabaul.

Before the war Wewak, which had some importance as the port for the Sepik gold fields and the oil search that was being undertaken in the district, was on the main route of Burns Philp’s Sydney-New Guinea service. Although two BP ships have been back on the run for over two years, Wewak is no longer a port of call.

Communication with the rest of the Terri tory is maintained by small aircraft owned by private companies, and the small Government-owned inter-island ships which call at irregular intervals.

The new air service which will be operated by DCS aircraft should be of much benefit to local residents as well as to recruiters from New Britain. The We wak-Aitape hinterland is still one of the most fruitful fields of plantation labour, although it is not unusual these days for recruits to have to wait three months on the beach before transport to Rabaul can be arranged by ship.

The new QEA service leaves Lae every Wednesday morning. It calls at Madang and Wewak and then flies on to Rabaul.

It returns to Lae, direct, each Thursday.

Kokoda Trail Route

IN November Qantas opened another Papuan service from Port to Kokoda and Popendetta and return.

The route closely follows the Kokoda trail.