Township

N.G. Goldfields News

Growth of Edie Creek Township

From Our Own Correspondent

Edie Ck., Nov. 3.

CREEK is gradually becoming a township apart from Wau. Its Pro gress Association and Sports Club are comparatively old standing institutions.

The present commodious Edie Store, with its four Europeans, dates from a year ago, but the Edie Creek Hotel was opened only a month ago—on September 22.

The Hotel is certainly a credit to the proprietor, (Mr. R. Franklin) and, in the opinion of the writer, excels most of the hotels in the Islands. Log fires and comfortable lounges do not seem fitting as part of Islands life, but they give to the Edie Hotel a homeliness appreciated by the mining men, When the new road from Wau is opened early next year this hotel should attract a goodly week-end and holiday trade from Wau and the coast. About 120 residents were the guests of the licensee on the opening night, the cold weather allowing dancing to be enjoyed to the full.

The weather at Edie Creek has been what holiday-makers would call “foul”— in fact we have only had 17 days in which rain has not fallen in the last five months.

The miners on the small tributaries do not growl, their water shortage problems are solved whilst this weather lasts, but the tracks are reduced to quagmires.

On September 30, another institution was added to Edie Creek’s activities: a Sub-branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. was formed —the first on the Mandated New Guinea mainland. Within a fortnight all the Returned Sailors and Soldiers in the Edie Creek area were members, beside a number from other centres, making a total membership of 85. When our new Ad ministrator visited Edie Creek on Octo ber 9, we found him a League enthusiast, and he gladly agreed to be the first Patron.

Officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, A. H. Cresswell; Vice- Presidents, A. G. Villiers, S. Fitzgerald, F.

James; Secretary, B. Rossi; Treasurer- Publicity Officer, H. D. McGilvery; Com mittee, R. V. Wild, G. R. Courtney. W.

Davis, T. P. Skifflngton, and R. F. C.

Struben.

At the first general meeting the Larkin Case was discussed and a fund was im mediately opened to assist in the re opening of this case.

Mrs, Bowring, the popular hostess at the Kiandi guest house, met with a painful accident on her way up from Wau, when the truck on which she was a passenger crashed below Blue Point, and Mrs. Bowring was thrown 200 ft. down the cliff.

She was taken to the Wau Hospital, and had several stitches inserted in wounds received. Mr.

Jack Bannigan, who was driving, and Mr. Jack Spence, a passenger, escaped unharmed.

Christmas time at the Creek will be full of jollification; there is to be a dinner with a ball following on the 'Saturday preceding Christmas and a huge Xmas tree for the kiddies on Xmas Eve.

Mr. and Mrs. McGilvery (the former was for merly a pilot for General Airways), have gone South, with their two small daughters. Mr. McGil very recently purchased the Edie Creek store, and intends enlarging it on his return.

Popular Don McDonald, of Edie Creek, who has been for many years in this part of the globe, has gone South by the Macdhui for a well-earned rest.

Quite the prettiest and best bungalow in New Guinea is the beautifully appointed Wau home of Mr. Normie Neal, M.L.C., and director of Day Dawn. Recently extensive additions were added, and the genial host did his bit and wielded the hammer very effectively, especially with the huge bay window. By the way, the garden around this house is unique; glorious roses, gladioli, carnations, and last but not least many vegetables flourish on what was once the meeting ground of Kukuku kus.

The god of luck was certainly with Ernie and Chips Hodley, who drew first and second prize in the local sweep on the Melbourne Cup.

Owing to the Montoro being a week late at Salamaua last trip, we were without meat —and beer—for some days.

Mr. Brian Lane, of Edie Creek, is looking: for ward to the arrival of his brother, Mr. Niall Lane, by the Montoro on December 20. His other brother, Dermott, intends coming up in January.