News Notes From Lae

From Our Own Correspondent

Lae. Nov. 3.

THE annual general meeting of the Lae & Services Club, elected two women, Mesdames R. Morgan and J. Baker, to the Committee. Other office-bearers were; President, Mr. Ray Watson; vice presidents, Messrs. G. Whittaker and L.

Ashton; secretary, Mr. A. E. Hosie; treasurer, Mr. J. V. Knight. Committee, Messrs. S. Fernan, C. Beckett and Reg.

Vogler, The Lae Cricket Association commenced its 1950-51 season with four teams com

peting—Admin-Commerce: Hotel-Voco;

Airstrip: and Works and Housing. To date Admin-Commerce have been success ful in the three matches played with the other teams level with one win each. The Levien Trophy matches between Wau, Bulolo and Lae, commence soon and will

continue until Easter. Bulolo are the present holders. Lae executives for 1950- 51 are; president, Mr. J. Birrell; secretary, Mr. A. Winter; Treasurer, Mr. J. V.

Knight.

Whilst it was anticipated that the new sports reserve would be ready before Xmas, there does not appear to be any chance of its use until New Year. The area provides for tennis, basketball, cricket and football. Meanwhile, sporting bodies make use of the old Recreation Reserve, out along the Busu Road, where few people other than players attend matches.

The new oval is in the centre of the town.

The Lae Town Plan has “hit the spot light” again with a decision to clear the area along the Air Corps Road, at the back of the airstrip, of homes erected there, by the end of 1951. Where these house holders—who, in the main, have erected their own homes—are expected to fit in is a matter of conjecture.

Incidentally, the area being cleared is set down largely as native recreation grounds; whilst (if any reliance can be placed in the Town Plan) the existing air strip appears as a golf course. Presumably, Qantas Empire Airways are erecting their new offices and reception rooms, alongside the new hangar recently completed, in the full knowledge of the requirements of the Town Plan.

If those responsible for the Plan would make some effort to introduce sewerage, or an adequate water and electric light supply, residents might accept the numerous offensives as part of the gran diose scheme, and bow to the inevitable.

The Stores section of Works & Housing is scattered all over Lae. The first signs of establishing a collective store appear in Milfordhaven Road, where the first building is under way. Eventually MT stores, timber stores and general stores will be together, and the workshops, now situated along Emerey’s Road will be in close proximity.

A dozen Sydney-Williams huts being erected at the end of Air Corps Road, from what is apparently new material, are to house native labour. There would not be much change out of £450 for each structure. Meantime, those members of Works & Housing who are living under squalid conditions regard the new huts with little satisfaction.

The service at Lae telephone switch board is such that valuable time is wasted daily trying to get correct connections.

Main trouble appears to lie in the utilisa tion of Asiatic employees, among whom there is not the slightest sign of uniform training. It is disconcerting to ring and hear a voice say “Hello,” leaving one to wonder how he should reply. Why not the well-established “Number please” or “Switch.” Others have their own ap proach, but none is in conformity with what may be expected. It is said that staff is very difficult to obtain.

A SATlSFACTORY‘feature‘of Works &

Housing is the introduction of pay ments to staff in Lae, by and from the Lae office. Until a fortnight ago, this was controlled from Moresby and employees were always a week late in receiving their pay. The new move is a good one; but there will be dissatisfaction amongst business houses and private contractors until some ar rangements are made to pay accounts direct by the Lae Office. Blame for delays in payments is bandied from the Moresby office of the Department to the Treasury, whilst disconsolate creditors just have to await the machinations of a complex Com monwealth and Administration set-up.

None of this waiting is experienced in Rabaul transactions. Treasury, Lae, is quite ready to make such payments—and, in fact, does pay Administration accounts on the spot.

There is word from the Administration that a new site has been made available to the Returned Servicemen’s League, to enable a start to be made on its own club rooms and hall, etc.

The consecration of Lodge Pride of Lae, No. 446, Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalos took place under the guidance of Bernard Smith, KOM, and A. S. Alex ander, CP, as founders. Visitors from Wau and Bulolo, and mainland lodges were in attendance. Meetings will be held fortnightly.

Building activities for the two major oil companies are proceeding in Lae, Portl Moresby, and Madang. The contractors ta both companies, Morobe Construction Co, —are engaged on depot work at Port) Moresby and Madang, as well as the erec tion of accommodation for staff members generally.