Death of F. A. Rochfort

Well-Known Papuan Miner

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Dec. 9.

THE death occurred at Woodlark Island of Mr. Francis Augustine Rochfort, one of the most notable min ing men the Territory has known.

He was on the tragic Gira field and the Yodda in 1897. Dysentry, fever and turbulent natives, apart from the discovery of gold were salient features in the history of the fields, and Roch fort stood out as a leader of the min ers in their troubles and was accepted by them as an authority, on account of his knowledge of mining, general education and integrity.

In 1909 Mr. Rochfort set off from the Yodda to the Lakekamu, on an overland trip to the newer field, a dis tance of 150 miles, through unknown country, inhabited by hostile natives This was the longest overland trip made up to that time, a feat requiring con siderable courage and endurance. The Lakekamu, like the Yodda, though rea sonably rich for the miners of that day, were both found to be too expensive, owing to the high cost of transport and provisions to the field, and after an epidemic of dysentry, and recruit ing being forbidden, Rochfort, with other miners, left for Woodlark, for the field was practically killed.

Luck evaded Rochfort. Woodlark gold proved illusive, but the years went by and with a few odd jobs and his claim to be worked, Rochfort ended his last years in peace, amidst friends and congenial surroundings at the age of 79.