[?]dam Does Not Permit!
p. 127 · Read in the full issue
[?] Gets No More
Icultural Land
ast January’s PIM there was a tie article headed, “Land For au —Mr. McAdam Permitting.” vas stated there that the Ad trator of Papua and New !a, when opening the Wau Show cember, had formally reported he had examined the plea of tulolo Valley community that n lands be removed from iry control and made avail for agricultural purposes; he lersonally inspected the lands the eastern side of the Valley, Wau; he was satisfied that erable areas could be used for Iture without harming other sts; and “there will be an an ement in a few weeks’ time.” e among his audience cheered have been fighting for long eary years for the agricultural pment of the Upper Bulolo , but always have been de by the implacable opposition , J. B. McAdam, Director of partment of Forests, rs treated the announcement aution. “Wait until he meets h McAdam,” they said, promised announcement (the r of the land from Forestry , to become available as agri -1 leases) has not been made.
Instead, it has been reported that the land referred to by the Admin istrator is to remain a Forestry reserve.
Experts were sent in to examine the soil —and they have reported that the soil is generally not suit able for agriculture. At the same time, there seems to have been some confusion as to who owns the land —the Administration or the natives.
The natives are alleged to have said that they sold the timber but not the land. The question of title apparently could not be cleared up until Commissioner for Titles McCubbery returned from leave.
In the meantime, residents of Wau have had considerable to say on the matter —none of it compli mentary to the Administration. Most of them would be willing to risk their money in taking up the land in spite of what the experts may say about the soil. They say that even if four or six new settlers were attracted to the district it would be of untold benefit to Wau. t Suva friends entertained Mrs.
Harold Crane at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Butler on the occasion of Mrs. Crane’s 80th birth day. Mrs. Crane is the wife of the organist at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Suva. After the birth day cake with 80 candles was cut, guests presented the guest of honour with a number of gifts.