“Jim” O’Malley-An

Appreciation

Contributed COMPARATIVELY little has been heard of Mr. L. James O’Malley, the young patrol-officer who accompanied Mr.

Jack Hides on his recent world-famous patrol into the unknown interior of Papua.

Mr. O’Malley, who is of a retiring and unassuming disposition, has been to some extent a “sleeping partner,” almost un seen and unheard, since the party re turned from the wdlds; but he did very little “sleeping” whilst the partnership was in active operation among the active, unknown natives of the interior. He shared every danger, hardship, forlorn hope, and anxiety, with his leader, Mr.

Hides.

Each supported the other in the lonely, nerve-shattering task before thenr and they formed an ideal combination. “Jim”

O’Malley waxes enthusiastic over the qualities of leadership and bush-know ledge possessed by Jack Hides, and says; “He was the best pal a man could have on a job like that.”

“Jim” O’Malley is quite a young man.

He was educated at Holy Cross College, Ryde, near Sydney, and has been in the service four years. But, although he is young, he had seen “life as she is lived” in Papua, before he went off on that patrol and the discovery of those fertile valleys and their untold thousands of inhabitants. He had accompanied Jack Hides, as second in command, on a patrol into the dangerous Kunimaipa country, seeking various murderers who were “wanted” by the Government. Jack Hides’ report of his courage, endurance, and sagacity was placed on record.

Out of all the young officers available.

His Excellency Sir Hubert Murray chose Mr. O’Malley to share with Mr. Hides the perils of this later trip, which has appealed to the imagination of much of the civilised world, and brilliantly did O’Malley justify His Excellency’s choice.

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