Edie Creek Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Edie Creek, May 14.

At the end of March Miss Jean Anderson went to Salamaua for a change, and Mr. R. Frank lin, the popular licensee of the Edie Creek Hotel, also had business in that sea-port. Early in April they returned together as Mr. and Mrs.

Franklin, and are now our popular “Mine Host and Hostess.” Mr. Alex. Malcolm, of the “Merri Mac tribute,” also had business in Salamaua, and created a local sensation when he returned and introduced Mrs. Malcolm, who, until the 29th, had been Miss Gwen Lutrell, of Melbourne, and had been holidaying at Salamaua as the guest of her uncle, Mr. John Parer.

Miss Joan Kerr, from Wau, has been added to the staff of the Edie Creek store, while Mr. N.

B. Spence and J. Scurry have joined the Edie Creek Hotel.

Mr. Kevin Parer left recently by the Macdhui for a holiday South. He has had a rather strenuous time during the last few months, but now his brother Ray has returned, he is taking a well earned vacation.

Residents of Edie Creek will soon be hearing talking pictures, as Mr. W. W. (“Nobby”) Clarke intends to install a machine at Kaindi. Mr. Clarke is R.W.M. of the local Masonic Lodge.

Mr. E. Allen has been transferred back to Edie Creek as Police Master, after an absence of two years. Mr. H. J. Stevenson, the Warrant Officer at Edie Creek, has now been sent to Wewak, on the north-east coast of the Territory.

Mr. Dave Lyall, who has been in ill health lately, left by the last Montoro for Australia. It is understood that he will later sail for America to take up aviation in the Argentine.

The Merri Creek, which was probably one of the richest streams in the Morobe district, and where the biggest specimen (over 300 ozs.) was found, is now practically worked out. Most of the tailings have been worked over four or five times. Twelve months ago it was support ing about a score of people, but now they have dwindled to ten. Messrs. Bridger, Clarke, Mc- Donald, Lord, Pianti, and Malcolm are on the main stream, and Cresswell and Butler are work ing on its tributary, Stower’s Creek. Mrs. Cress well and Mrs. Malcolm make the total ten. Mr.

Bill Simpson, who has worked continually on the Merri since 1926, departed on April 24, having sold his lease, “Last Chance.” Mr. Peter Pianti is also contemplating leaving shortly.

The Midas, which was slightly richer, though a smaller stream than the Merri, is reduced to one resident, Peter Seaforth, who is working Mr.

O. Hertz’s tribute. Lyall’s Creek, which at its best supported ten miners, is now deserted, Mrs.

Rex having left last month for a tribute on Mr.

Schrater’s Edie Creek lease.