FLYING MEN RETURN

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 265, 5 August 1931, Page 8

FLYING MEN RETURN

Three Aviator Brothers I NEW GUINEA GOLDFIELDS Three brothers, all flying men, who have been abroad for a varying number of years, returned to their native town, Wellington, by the Ullmaroa yesterday. They were Messrs. C. D., L. F., and P.- J. Pratt, who have been engaged in aviation in Australia and New Guinea. The first two mentioned have been in New Guinea recently carrying passengers, supplies, and gold between the coast and the rich goldfields In the Interior. It was explained to a “Dominion” reporter that the nearest port to the fields was a place called Salamoa, and Inland about 16 or 17 miles was the aeroplane base called Lae. From Lae to the goldfields was a distance of about 65 miles. There were still exceedingly rich deposits of gold In New Guinea, said Mr. C. D. Pratt, and now the companies responsible were introducing modem sluicing plant, which should further increase the output. The difficulty was the inaccessibility of the place, the land by the coast being extremely mountainous, and. covered with dense forests. Mr. C. D. Pratt left with the second reinforcements from Wellington in December, 1914, saw service in the Air Force, and has been aWay ever since. The other two brothers have been away from Wellington for 11 and five years respectively. Mr. P. J. Pratt is rather more Interested in the mechanical and structural side of aviation, and has been engaged in aeroplane construction in Australia. All three bold “B” (commercial) pilot licenses, and in addition have instructors’ tickets.