Mystery Death

Did Patrol Officer Bird Die From Insect Bite?

THERE has been much comment in the A Territory and in Australia regarding the death of Patrol Officer W. H. Bird, of New Guinea, who died in Salamaua hospital on January 15.

At first it was thought that he died from a severe bout of fever, but it was later announced that his death was the result of septic conditions caused by the bite of some mysterious insect. For six weeks prior to his death, it is stated, he suffered excruciating agony, and both his legs became paralysed.

His boys carried him over rough moun tain tracks in the Markham Valley to the nearest aerodrome. Bad weather, how ever, delayed the ’plane, and finally, when he did arrive at Wau, there was no room available for him in the hospital, and he had to be taken on to Salamaua, where he died.

Commenting on Mr. Bird’s death, a leading Melbourne entomologist said he doubted whether the death was caused by the bite of an unknown insect. It was more likely, he said, that the patrol officer was bitten by a poisonous spider, of which there are thousands of species in the Ter ritory. Even then, he stated, it was doubt ful whether the poison would take six weeks to kill.

In view of the circumstances surround ing the young officer’s untimely death, it does seem that some investigation is called for on the part of the New Guinea Health Department.