Without Bridges

Floods In Ng’S

Morobe District

Bridges Without Rivers and Rivers Without Bridges

Torrential rainfall in the Lae,

New Guinea, area during August

almost made prophets of the

Morobe District Advisory Coun

cil members.

AT a meeting held early in the month they suggested that steps be taken immediately to check the course of the Busu River which was encroaching on land near the Malahang Native Hospital.

They said the river was cutting into ground near the operating theatre, and was already within 10 1 yards of the main road.

Mr. Wan Jin Wah said: “If nothing is done the whole place: could be swept away one night”.

Prophetic words, for within a week the Busu had — • Reached an unprecedented! height. • Swept away the bridge owned! by the South Pacific Timber: Company, and valued atl £15,000. • Destroyed huts used by timben workers. • Stopped production at the logging site. • And cut to within five yards of the Malahang Native Hospital.

The same rains caused the Erapj River to break its banks and change course, leaving the £20,000 bridge sitting over a trickle of water, while the river flowed merrily over the: Highlands Road, 200 yards away.

A week later, a further recording of 19 inches of rain in about three' days caused the Oomsis River to. cut a oath about nine feet wide into the road on the Lae side of thn Oomsis Bridge; a wire suspension: bridge over the Upper Watut Rive:e collapsed while a 10 ton truck waif attempting to cross it; the EraiJ River flowed stronger over the Laes Highlands Road; the Munum Waters were again in flood) and the Lae-Wau and Laes Highlands Roads were again closer to traffic.

Houses Swept Away

In Lae township, the flooding swept away native houses in thrl Butibum River area; destroyed thrl road to the gaol; caused hundredb of pounds damage to the new bridal, works, destroyed gardens, ann

(Continued on page 149)

flooded land and roads in the R 2 residential area.

Worst of all was the damage to crops in the Markham Valley, Planters said the flood waters in some parts had cascaded down the hills “from nowhere” and covered the low areas, many of which were still under water in early September.

Mr. T. W. Richards, manager of Hastings Deering (NG) Ltd., at Lae, who flew over the flood area, said that 300 acres of peanuts, probably about one-quarter of the district’s peanut crop, had been lost, representing a loss of £25,000.

Although weather bureau officials estimated rainfall on the night of August 12 at about 3 h inches, a planter reported that his 7 inch rain gauge had reached the top and overflowed.

Mr. A. E. Gazzard, general

manager of Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Ltd., said in Bulolo that officials were examining alter native sites for the location of a new bridge over the Busu River, and the company was investigating the possibility of purchasing a Bailey type bridge.

Two Bridges Needed

And Lae businessman, Mr. T. W.

Richards, suggested that Admini stration build two bridges over the Erap River to ensure a safe, all weather means for vehicles on the Lae-Highlands Road.

He said that a large number of primary producers were relying on the road.