Lae Is Growing

Effect of Much Building Activity

From Our Own Correspondent LAE, June 20.

TOWN-PLANNED Lae is taking shape.

Building operations, and the construc tion of new roads, are slowly, but surely, altering the landscape in and to the rear of the “Terrace,” more popu larly described as “Long-arp.”

The policy of the Administration pre cludes the erection of permanent build ings along the water-front and adjacent areas, including the slopes of Namanula; and, in time, Lae will be situated “on top.” This policy has not deterred busi ness firms from erecting more or less temporary stores in a group centre in the water-front area, and more are being added from time to time.

The street plan bears the American im print and commences at “First Street” and progressively continues down Emery’s Road. A move has been made by the local sub-branch of the RSSAILA to utilise the names of battle engagements and areas in the district in the naming of streets, and the outcome of the sug gestion is awaited.

The most pressing need is a modern hospital; and, whilst it was mooted many months ago as a first priority job, it still remains in the blueprint stage. It is sorely needed as the existing accommo dation, apart from being inadequate to meet the demands of the district, is a reminder of Army days, and has de teoriated. This does not apply, however, to the operating theatre, pathological and X-ray sections, which are recent ad ditions.

The statement by the Minister for Ex ternal Territories that the Government

intends to proceed with the construction of modern hospitals in the Territory has been welcomed on all sides.

Qantas, Civil Aviation, the “Met” section of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Works & Hous ing are moving apace, with the erection of single and married quarters in the new area. The last-mentioned Department, after months extending into years, has almost completed the long-overdue ac commodation for its workmen and staff.

The old quarters probably had the most squalid and ill-adapted living conditions in the area.

THE most progressive move can be credited to the Vacuum Oil Co. Pty., Ltd., whose bulk depot, in Air Corps Road, is now a landmark. Commenced many months ago, the installation has now been completed, including the new wharf pipe-line.

Six tanks, each of 500,000 gallons capacity, provide bulk storage for 3,000,000 gallons of motor spirit, whilst bulk im portations will also include aviation petrol, lighting kerosene and distillate. It is anticipated that the importation of pet roleum products in bulk will create a price

reduction in the near future.

Whilst the official opening ceremony is listed for early in July, and at which the Administrator has consented to officiate, and will be attended by senior executives of the company as well as senior Govern ment officials and representative citizens from both Papua and New Guinea, the first tanker—the Lidjford—from Palem bang, is expected mid-June, to be fol

lowed by a three-monthly service of bulk tankers.

ONE of the very pressing needs in Lae is an up-to-date hotel to provide accommodation for through traffic.

With Lae as the focal point, air services extend throughout the territory and islands, and the flow of passenger traffic is very heavy.

Happily, the new hotel is well on the way, in spite of vexatious delays in sup plies of materials and timber. (One wonders what has become of all the timber forming the basis of the famous Bulolo Timber Lease Case.) This build ing is also on the waterfront and, con sidering its size and cost, it could hardly be classified as a “temporary” structure.

But neither are the Houses of Parliament at Canberra!

The completion of the new wharf is in sight and will facilitate the handling of cargo in this port. With the exception of minor works, the construction of the wharf has been carried out by the De partment of Works and Housing in its entirety.

THE new plan provides for sports and recreational sections, gardens and reserves, etc., but it is too early to pass any judgment on these ideas except to say that most progress, in respect to sports areas appears to be in the provi sion of grounds for the native population.

An area has been set aside for the European sports oval, but beyond regular attacks on the undergrowth by hordes of “calaboose” boys and other native labour, very little has been done to make it available for actual sport.

Two very live organisations, in the Re turned Servicemen’s League and the Citizens’ Association, are to be com mended for their efforts in the advance ment of Lae, in general; but the brush fences of Administration policy con tinually loom up as formidable steeple chase obstacles, ready to baulk those who are not most persistent in their en deavours.

The proposed removal of the insidious Canberra control, or at least a portion of it, to give the Administration more scope and authority, may be the remedy.