Is Under Inspection
p. 121 · Read in the full issue
May Become New
Cattle Industry
Area of SW Papua Is Under Inspection
A LARGE area of plateau (or savannah) country approxi mately 3,600 square miles —in he extreme southwest corner of s apua, may be opened up at an iarly date by the P-NG Adminis ration, for cattle-farming.
Officials have had a quick look ,t the country lately; and on July 6, a surveyor left Port Moresby, it it h a party and considerable quipment, for a closer inspection, nd a report to the Administration.
The area forms a vast triangle, etween the Torres Strait coast, the )utch-Papua border, and the Fly tiver. It is generally unexplored; ut it is reported that it rises to moderate height, comprises large ections of grassy, lightly wooded lateau land, and has many rivers nd lakes.
It is only 200-300 miles in a direct ne from Australia’s Cape York— luch nearer to Cape York than to ’ort Moresby, by airline.
It is reported that, as part of the autious exploration of the area r hich the Administration now is arrying out, the Departments of ’ublic Works and Civil Aviation are □nstructing an airfield at a place ailed Balimo, in the plateau ountry.
The area has no name, as yet. The irge Morehead River flows through tie western section of it.
Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in 'iji will receive Government grants stalling £11,500—£10,000 for the couts and the remainder for the uides. The reason for the differ nce is that the headquarters of the rirl Guides’ Association has a panel f travelling training officers avail ble to visit Fiji at any time, while le scouts require a full-time trainer, he £lO,OOO is to provide a full-time ■oiony Training Commissioner for lie next five years.