New Guinea

Wool Spinning In

Sequel to Introduction of

Sheep . .

WHEN Miss W. M. Archer, Handcraft Officer of the P-NG Department of Education, on May 5, distributed a “Wool Workers Circular” to a number of com munities in the Highlands of New Guinea, an interesting new stage was reached in the introduction of sheep to that recently discovered area.

The NG Highlands were dis covered by the Leahy Brothers and some Administration officials only 20 years ago. They are cool, fer tile uplands—a vast system of pleasant river valleys—and are in habited by a considerable popula tion of primitive people.

As yet, they are unroaded and undeveloped. Only planes can get in over the rim of mountains. A few Europeans have settled in se lected places.

Some three or four years ago, Mr. E. J. Hallstrom, a wealthy Sydney philanthropist, decided to introduce sheep to this region. He was cordially supported by Admin istrator Murray. Sheep are living, breeding and wool-producing quite satisfactorily now at Nondugl, in the centre of the Highlands. Some of the white settlers also are ex perimenting with sheep.

It is part of the plan that the natives shall be taught to weave the wool, for their own use. In this, the planners have had the co operation of the Europeans, and of the Education Department. Miss Archer recently, has been all over the Highlands, introducing the idea of spinning plus simple spinning wheels and technique, to the settlers, missionaries, District officers and village headmen. Despite the primitive character of the people, and the absence of even Pidgin as a means of communication, she seems to have had a good deal of success and encouragement. She hopes that spinning of clothing, blankets, etc., from Highlands wool, will spread from the High lands all over P-NG.

An instruction organisation, with some equipment, has been set up in the following 12 centres in the Highlands:

Agricultural Stations: Nondugl,

Baiyer River, Goroka.

Government Stations: Mt. Hagen.

MISSIONS: Kabioufa and Bena Bena (Seventh Day Adventist).

HOSPITALS: Baiyer River (Baptist Mission); Goroka (Dept. of Public Health).

LEPER HOSPITALS: Goroka (40) Dept, of Public Health; Togaba (200) Seventh Day Adventist.

Private Enterprise: Kuta—Mr.

Danny Leahy.

The following persons have assisted the plan in the Highlands: Mr. & Mrs. Ned Blood, Nondugl.

Mr. BUI McGregor, Livestock Station, Baiyer River.

Mr. Danny Leahy, Kuta, Mt. Hagen.

Mr. & Mrs. Cole, Government Station, Mt. Hagen.

Mr. & Mrs. Thrift, S.D.A. Mission, Kabioufa.

Mr. & Mrs. Howell, S.D.A. Mission, Bena Bena.

Mr. & Mrs. Bell, Goroka.

Mr. & Mrs. Gow, Public Health Dept., Goroka.

Miss Baines, European School, Goroka.

Mr. J. Leahy, Goroka.

Mr. & Mrs. B. Gibbes, Goroka.

Mr. & Mrs. Schindler, Aiyura, via Kainantu.

Increased South Pacific

Air Services

To provide for tourist traffic dur ing the winter months, TEAL have announced that the present weekly service between Auckland and Suva will be increased to three flights

fortnightly from May 26.

TEAL, expressing satisfaction with

passenger traffic offering on the new Coral Route (to Tahiti) also has announced that, as from the above

date, flights through from Suva via

Aitutaki to Papeete will be made

fortnightly, doubling the present

schedule.

As yet no date can be set for including Apia in the Coral Route service, where works remain to be done on the alighting area.