The Kirke Farm At Wau

IN connection with the success of Mr.

Hunter Kirke’s farm at Wau, New Guinea, it is interesting to note that repre sentations have been made to the Common wealth Government to settle unemployed ex-soldiers in Morobe to cultivate produce for the goldfields.

“Bukit Bharn” (Malay for New Garden) as the Kirke farm is known, is attracting considerable attention in the district. The 10 acres of passionfruit and grape vines have all been trellised and are thriving wonderfully, as are the bananas, lettuce and granadillas.

Hunter Kirke, who had a distinguished war career, gaining the Military Cross, has been in the Mandated Territory for some six years. Before going to Wau he was a surveyor in the N.G. Administration. His brother, Clem, who is associated with him in the agricultural venture, is at present doing recruiting work in Northern New Guinea. He also was for some years a Government surveyor, having previously been connected with the Papuan Adminis tration, Captain E. N. Turner, Officer in Charge of Constabulary and Superintendent of Prisons in the Solomon Islands, returned to Tulagi with his wife by the October Malaita.