Industry in Papua

Encouragement of Kenaf Industry in Papua

From Our Own Correspondent.

P. MORESBY, March 8.

ABOUT 15,000 acres have been earmarked for kenaf produc tion in the Oro Bay region of the Northern District. This land, together with some hill country, is included in lease applications granted to Mr. R. A. Colyer, the pioneer figure in the kenaf tests still in progress near Port Moresby.

In co-operation with the Admin istration he was responsible for the first importation of kenaf seed, and tests have been going on for a couple of years by both the Agri cultural Department and Mr. Colyer, the latter working on commercial tests on Eriama near Port Moresby.

Eriama has been the proving ground for the crop and this year’s harvest is being taken off and de cordicated. Meanwhile, the Agri cultural Department has its own kenaf plots for test purposes and seed production.

Erima production has been stepped up from 26 tons last year to an estimated 60 to 70 this season. A new and improved method of de cordication is resulting in much higher quality fibre; but already Territory-grown fcenaf fibre has produced sample wool sacks equal to the best jute packs.

As yet very little has been re leased regarding kenaf plans for

the Oro Bay area, but no doubt in time Mr. Colyer and his associates will have some interesting news.

Meanwhile, at Eriama, there are some 900 acres suitable for kenaf, which at present is yielding about a ton of fibre to the acre.

The Commonwealth Government and the Administration are de finitely fostering this new in

dustry. The Oro Bay leases tell their own story; and now Min isterial approval—and that of the Commonwealth Inter-departmental Works Committee—has been granted on developmental work at Oro Bay.

The immediate plans are for con struction of a small ships’ wharf at Oro Bay, and rebuilding of the road from the Bay to Popondetta.