Beaver Planes in

Nng

INTERNAL air communications in Netherlands New Guinea were further improved after the re cent arrival at Biak of two “Beaver” planes. They will be used to facil itate contact with inland areas which cannot otherwise be reached.

Up till now, 14 air-strips have been constructed and 17 landing bases for seaplanes will shortly be ready. The 31 landing places have been planned in such a manner that

there is not more than an horn flying distance between any of the; The single-engine “Beavers” c: alternately use landing wheels alight on the aerodromes, or flos to land on water. Several spec: bases have been built where t) planes can be converted either w, in a few hours. The “Beavers” c transport 7 passengers.

Australian and New Zealand ma for Fiji were overcarried when, d to the January hurricane alert, t liner Oronsay was instead divert to Noumea and back to Sydney.