Somerset

“Chum” Jardine, Of

T'HE death of “Chum” Jardine, is an event of some importance. If he was not himself exactly a pioneer in the Pacific, he and his family have been not able figures in the civilization of Northern Australia and the Torres Islands. He had friends scattered throughout the South Seas, and many will feel that they have lost a real pal now that he has gone.

Friends he had in plenty—in fact, all “Chum’s” merest acquaintances quickly became his friends, for to meet him was to fall at once under the charm of a man who was sincere, genial, and likeable. There are not many “Chum” Jardines about nowadays, when his most endearing qual ities might appear a little old-fashioned, and his place will be hard to fill. Especi ally so, in his own particular sphere as pearler and planter in the Aroe Islands, where for many years he had been the acknowledged leader of a small band of Australians domiciled among the Dutch.

Unlike his more famous father, Prank Jardine (the pioneer of Torres Strait and the Thursday Island pearling industry) and his mother (who came from Samoa), “Chum” did not reach old age; in fact, he was the sort of man of whom it might be said that he would never grow old. A short life and a merry one would have been his motto.

All “Chum’s” friends offer sympathy to his sisters, Mrs. H. G. Vidgen and Mrs.

Sheldon, and his brother Mr. Bert Jardine, all of whom sprang from that historic homestead at Somerset, in Albany Passage.

“Chum” Jardine would be about 58 years old (writes Mr. A. Corran, of Thursday Island). My acquaintanceship with him began about forty years ago, when he was 18 years of age, and 18 stone in weight.