of Rabaul

New Plans for New Town of Rabaul

From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, April 20.

The following is a summary of dis cussions at a special meeting of the Rabaul Town Advisory Council, held at the request of the District Commissioner, to advise him about the development of the new town.

WHARVES; The new wharf is held up because of the non-availability of steel piles. There was prolonged discussion of present wharf shortage, ships standing out in the stream, and for future guid ance, anticipated wharf requirements, and the availability of further sites.

RECREATION RESERVE: Discussion showed the eventual necessity of re moving buildings now used by the Ad ministration (for housing staff) and the Chinese school to site of the present native hospital.

ASIATIC HOSPITAL: As the present site is urgently required for other pur poses, the Asiatic Hospital may be moved to Namanula as a wing to the present European Hospital, within' two years.

NATIVE HOSPITAL: Discussion on the possibility of moving to Nonga, near the Medical School.

COMPOUND AREA; Recommendation made to acquire land so the Native Com pound area can be located on Administra tion land south of Sulphur Creek Road, and Police Barracks also moved thereto.

PUBLIC BATHS; Capacity of the present pool is quite inadequate. Pre war, baths were at Ravuvu. Several sites suggested. Also, the inclusion of Pool in

Queen Elizabeth Park to be considered.

Production Control Board Was

discussed with a view to curtailing the amount of land used. Vast storage sheds are at present scattered over a wide area.

Administration Centre: Pre

liminary plans have been sketched for three main buildings which would house Post Office, Overseas Telecommunications, and Radio-Telephone.

Returned Soldiers’ Club Has Not

enough land at present, and would prefer to move to foreshore, preferably near New Britain Club, if land Is available.

AIR STRIP; As apparently the present intention is eventually to make a per manent aerodrome at Vunakanau (on the site of the old war-time strip) discussion took place on all-weather visibility at Vunakunau. Would it be advisable to retain Lakunai strip as an emergency?

BOTANICAL GARDENS: As funds may not permit rehabilitation of pre-war Botanical Gardens, consideration should be given to using it for building sites.

TOWN WATER SUPPLY; Three main plans were discussed: (1) Converting salt water into fresh; (2) Converting hot water from Matipiu area, including treatment for removal of chemicals; (3) Dig wells out side town near Burma Road; (4) Possibility of bringing water from either Warangoi or Keravat Rivers. A World Health Organisation engineer at present in Rabaul stated it would be possible to treat the hot water from Matipiu area; but the cost would be prohibitive. He favoured the wells near the Burma Road.

LIGHT AND POWER; Pending com pletion of the new power house, it would appear there is no way of overcoming present power shortage, by temporary measures, for at least a year.