Now Commonplace

Lae-Goroka By Road

ESTIMATES as to when there will be an all-weather road from Lae to Goroka and other towns n the New Guinea Highlands, vary rom two to five years—but it is >ossible that one of these days ssidents of the Territory will simply rake up and find that there has teen a road there for some time.

In May, a conventional Holden edan —which is a very light 6ylinder car—made the 246 miles mrney from Lae to Goroka without my fuss; and in June a light 'eugeot lorry made the same jurney in 12 hours with equal lack f bally-hoo.

Certainly this is still no expedi ion for the average suburban Sun ay-driver to attempt, but when it ; done now, it is no longer news.

The Holden was taken up to roroka by Mr. J. B. Wilson, who itends to use the vehicle in Goroka s a taxi—the first in the town nd certainly needed.

Nonchalantly describing the trip, [r. Wilson said that the road was rood” for most of the way although e did strike “a little trouble at le Umi River.”

The small amount of trouble mounted to water which rose to alf-way up the windscreen of the ir —but some natives helped him ) pull it out.

Mr. Wilson said he went by road i look into the possibilities of a urist coach service from Lae to oroka! He admitted that it would )t be practicable at present.

The Peugeot and its load of antation stores was consigned to planter at Goroka by E. Kriewaldt Co. Ltd., and the 12 hours that ie vehicle took to cover the route ust be a record for the journey.