Notes From Lae

7?rom Our Own Correspondent LAE, Dec. 4

No School

PLEAS for even some temporary kind of school for European children in Lae have had no results.

The officials seem to be doing their best. “Temporary” accom modation is promised for some time in 1952; a permanent school is or dered, but is not in sight. A Hawkesley aluminium pre - fab structure seems to be bogged down in transport difficulties in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, the exasperated Euro pean community has noted that officialdom has completed the erec tion of a school building for native children near the Butibum River — and cannot get enough pupils to attend it!

No Town Lighting

Lae has a grievance, also, in re lation to lighting. Qantas has its own plant for lighting its extensive residential establishment on the Terrace. Residents complained of the noise, and Lae Advisory Council investigated.

It appears that in 1950 Qantas said that Works and Housing could take over its two generating units, free of charge, on condition that Lae got a 24-hours’ service. W & H seemed agreeable; but now ad vises that a 24-hours’ service is impossible, pending arrival of an engine now lying in Moresby.

No European Hospital

During a recent visit to Lae the Minister for Territories, Mr. Has luck, was questioned about some of our more urgent public needs.

The Minister acknowledged that the construction of a European Hospital here was urgent; but the job was now being considered in relation to other urgent construc tion works.

Council Appointments

The Minister was questioned about the policy followed by the Administration in appointing local Advisory Councils. It was pointed out that, of the 8 persons appointed

to Morobe District Council, 3 al ready were members of the Lae Council; while there were a number of prominent men in the Morobe district who had been ignored.

The Minister said he knew noth ing of the matter. But he asked the Assistant Administrator, Mr.

Cleland, to investigate.

Servicemen Sacked

The RSL has taken prompt action regarding the sacking of two public servants, following the decision to reduce staff.

The two men concerned were both returned and decorated servicemen, It is claimed that men without war service have been appointed since the servicemen. The position has been brought before the Minister.

Masonic Temple

After five years’ effort Freemasons in Lae District have erected a Temple, and established a Lodge in Lae. A party of Grand Lodge Officers from Queensland conse crated and dedicated Lae Lodge No. 419, and Masons from all parts of Papua and New Guinea were present.

Rsl Club

The Returned Soldiers’ long awaited Servicemen’s Club building, on Namanula Terrace, overlooking the old section of Lae, should be completed and ready for occupa tion in February. It will contain reading and committee rooms, a

billiard room, lounge, and ba: Work thereafter will be comment on a spacious dance hall. Officu include: Mr. H. F. James (Fret dent), Messrs. W. Fleming and J Petersen (Vice-Presidents), Mr. J.

Knight (Secretary), Mr. Peter Hir (Treasurer) and Messrs. McKea C. C. Beckett, W. J. Jackso J. Lilyman and C. Wilkins*

(Committeemen).

Arrivals And Departures

Recent births include: To Captain a Mrs. G. Macßae (Qantas), a daughti Mr. and Mrs. A. Strachan (Bulolo Gob a son; Mr. and Mrs. L. Hurrell (Al Meenyamya), a daughter; Mr. and Mrs.

Martin (Buntings, late of Samarai), son.

Mr. L. Hawkins, with family, has i turned from leave, and has comment duty at Lae Post Office. Mr. Bert B< (building supervisor) is back from an ovi seas trip—Jiis wife will return later. ® Mark Schultz, of Mumeng, has return from overseas. Mr. T. Drury (Lae a port manager of DCA) is on leave Sou l Bob Whitcross is relieving Mr. and M John Baker (Bums Philp Ltd.) and B G. Thorpe (Diesel engineer for W. & I are on leave. Mrs. Perc. Smith (wife the proprietor of Lae Motors) and Mrs.

Fernan (wife of our well known Custo: Agent) both with infant sons, are aw in Queensland. Mrs. Bruce (wife of 1 H. B. Bruce, Senior Medical Officer, La has returned from South. Captain Deegan (of MAL) is back again.