Notes From Lae

Prom Our Own Correspondent LAE. June 1.

CRITICISM of the European Hospital, Lae, has had results. But it is doubt ful whether the expenditure of pub lic moneys in patching up the existing buildings is warranted. Repairs to the bathrooms, fly-wiring of the kitchen and other minor repairs have been aporoved and the expenditure in this respect is over £2,000. It is learned that the Sanitary section, at present located immediately to the rear of the hospital, is to be removed.

Since the recent outcry, it has been an nounced that a sum of over £BOO.OOO has been set apart for the new hospital, Lae, and that tenders will soon be called.

Rice At £88!

An acute shortage of white flour has re duced the bread supply to brown bread, md no further supplies are expected until the arrival of the next Malaita, which is ndefinite.

A further increase in the price of rice tongs the rate per ton to £BB, and an ncrease all round in tinned meats is fore cast.

As these are essential goods, and not uxuries, the lot of the employer of native abour is made even more difficult with he increases.

W And H Are Paying Up

A general move by the Department of Vorks & Housing to make uo its leeway i payment of accounts, has been most oticeable during the past month, and the osition is more satisfactory. By paying ccounts from head office, Port Moresby, ny delays which may have been at to uted to the Treasury have been elimin ted.

Goings And Comings

Matron May, OBE, of the European espitai, Lae, has returned from her so >urn South, and has resumed duty, [atron Kiernan, who acted as relief has to her station at Madang.

Superintendent E. Steeples, and Mrs. teeples left for Port Moresby on the ulolo. He will take up duty there as uperintendent of Police for the Port oresby district, and his place at Lae is cing filled by Inspector Dix.

Superintendent Steeples and Mrs. ;eeples were farewelled at a buffet din er at the Hotel Cecil, Lae, by a very presentative gathering, and presenta ms—a gold wristlet watch to “Ernie,” id an evening bag to Mrs. Steeples— ere made on behalf of the gathering by strict Officer P. Mollison.

Opportunity was also taken, at a parade native Police, to present their No 1 in with a Parker Pen.

Mr. Jim Peterson, manager of Bums ulp (NG) Ltd., Lae, resumed duty this lek after a spell South; and Mr. J. G. tker, who acted in his stead during his sence, is expecting to move on in the ar future. Both are Life members of

J RSS&AILA, Lae Sub-Branch, and

ve done much to place the sub-branch the sound position it enjoys.

Shipping Congestion

n °r over a week the tanker Cyreena has !n at anchor near Besama, waiting for »erth at the new wharf, where the Vilia a Erica have been loading. The last ntioned has sailed but the Viria re ms and the date of departure is most efimte. n view of the fact that the Cyreena Id unload in about 36 hours, it seems jostly business to have such a vessel ndmg by for over a week. If this con ies, small ships will be found occupy the wharf, whilst cargo ships, carry urgently-required essential goods will e no alternative other than to stand in patience—and at what a cost!

Many Casualties In Tribal Clash

Meagre details to hand indicate that a tribal clash between rival native factions in the Mumeng district on the morning of May 28, resulted in 5 deaths, and over 60 natives were admitted to hospital with injuries received, some m a serious condition. The Department of Native Labour is investigating the cause and a full report will be submitted to the appropriate authorities.

Storm Damage At Lae

, , rail ? s * iave . l^ €n experienced Still Of 94 hm,rf i? r^ n l? ht and ’ m J? ne SISho 13 inches were recorded.

SU f mostly ’ anc * culverts and narlin 1 nvi areaw ere swept away Kr C in ry at the south ‘ east end of the airstrip.

A week ago, a severe electrical storm rendered useless the whole of the telephonic system from the Namanula end of Markham Road to well down Milford-

haven Road, and the lines are still out.

Much inconvenience has been occasioned Qantas Empire Airways Limited which was riie principal sufferer.

All our extensive preparations for the celebration of Empire Day (May 24) were washed out by heavy rain, f Arr

Still Waiting At Po

Some time ago Lae residents were pro mised a private Box service at the Post Office—a service which has been operating for some time in Port Moresby. The Postal Department has already provided the front P lates for the boxes, and although the necessary requisition for the construction of the woodwork was passed on to the Department of Works and Hous ing some months ago it still remains a matter of “time,” as the Department has now f° un d that some difficulty exists in fitting the fronts. A renewed effort is now in progress and public hopes for an early completion of the work have also been renewed.

Mr. and Mrs. J. O’Brien, accompanied bv their children, Maureen and Michael, have returned to Lae, NG, from furlough In Australia. Mr. O’Brien is Mines Manager for Golden Ridges, Wau.