SDA Saw-mill for Goroka

From a Special Correspondent

AN industrial section of the Seventh day Adventist Mission in the Cen tral Highlands of New Guinea (Kabiufa Mission Industries), a few weeks ago commenced operating the first saw-mill in that area.

The mill is near Goroka at an eleva tion of 7,000 feet, and is powered by a diesel engine. It is capable of produc ing from 1,200 to 1,500 super feet of tim ber per day. In early August, 2,000 super feet of sawn timber were flown by Douglas aircraft to Madang for use on residences being erected there by the Mission. This is believed to be the first Central Highlands timber sent to the coast. The Mission builder reports its quality to be good.

A planing machine is now being in stalled at the Goroka mill and it is ex pected that tongue-and-groove flooring and other dressed timbers will shortly be in production. However, because of the local requirements of the Mission and others, it will not be possible, for the time being, to send much of this tim ber out of the Goroka District.

Kabiufa Mission Industries have been established in order to facilitate the Mis sion’s industrial training scheme. High land natives will be given instruction in the manufacture of simple furniture, joinery, and other wood products. Its mill will provide timber for this purpose and also for the general building pro gramme of the Mission. Any profits made from the commercial side of the industry will be used in extending or improving the Mission’s activities in the Highlands.