Industries

Threat To Bulolo

Labu-Lae Ferry Near Collapse

A THREATENED breakdown of the Labu-Lae ferry service is causing anxiety to those in terests which now make extensive use of the Lae-Eulolo Valley road.

The ferry service, which has been carried on by vehicular punts for at least eight years, Is just about worn out. It provides a vital link in the road system.

The road from Bulolo Valley and Wau comes down the south side of the Markham, and ends at Labu, on the southern side of the Markham’s mouth. The journey must be com pleted on the ferry, which runs from Labu, across the mouth of the Markham, to Milfordhaven, the port of Lae, on the north side.

Without the ferry, the road is use less.

Because of the decision to build a bridge over the Markham (a few miles up the river, at Markham Point) officialdom has taken no special steps to maintain the punt service. The punts now are in such bad condition that the service may cease at any time. No suitable punts, for replacement, are in sight anywhere. It is unlikely that the new bridge will be in use be fore 1955.

Cessation of the service means paralysis of the new Bulolo tim ber industry, which depends on the road for sending out timber. As a breakdown of the timber industry —built up at great cost by both Government and private interests —will reflect badly upon the Ad ministration, urgent attention now is being given to the problem of ferry replacements.

The Mortlock, Carteret and Tas man Islands, off Bougainville, have been closed to recruiting with the single exception that the Carteret natives can be employed as boat crews. A recruiting ban has also been placed on villages in the Kenaka area of the Buka Passage Sub-District.