Two Deaths in East Papua

Tragedy In Pioneer

Families

(Contributed) OTARK pathos lies in the passing of two of the East-end residents of Papua.

In the last week of May, Mrs. Richard Irwin, of Mogubo plantation, Amazon Bay, took ill. She had been nursing a sick native when she herself contracted fatal chest trouble, believed to have been pleuro pneumonia.

Seeing that the illness was serious, Mr Irwin sent to Mr. and Mrs. W. Blundell, of Mamai plantation, and they came at once with their children, Henry and Jean.

Mrs. Irwin appeared to take a turn for the better and Mr. Blundell and his son went home. Mamai lies about 30 miles from Mogubo by bush-track and road, the last eight or ten miles rising over 1,000 feet and dropping down again almost to sea-level.

So Mr. Irwin was the only white man present when his wife died on June 2.

The grand old lady maintained con sciousness and dignity to the last. Mr.

Irwin sent his plantation boss-boy, who travelled through the night to tell Mr.

B.undell so that he was able to make the trip again and be at the funeral.

Meanwhile, Mr. Irwin had to turn to and begin to make the coffin with his own hands, and to make all arrange ments for the burial. We are glad to know that a capable native mission teacher came and relieved him of part of his task. The same man read the burial service in the vernacular, after it had been read in English.

Mrs. Irwin was laid to rest at Mogubo, where she had spent so many useful years with her husband and daughter, Debbie. Mrs. Blundell and Jean remained to help them as they could.

Then, just 19 days later, Mrs. Blundell was called home and arrived to find her son, Henry, had just died of black-water fever.

Again, Mrs. Glandville (who, with Miss Irwin, had made a forced march to the help of Mrs. Blundell when she was stricken with the same disease in 1935) was called on and went promptly to help nurse the boy, as soon as she had the news of his sickness. But there was no means at hand of saving him.

So the two families, with friendship welded in the fires of pioneer trials, each suffered the loss of a member and of a friend, the grand old lady of 73, and the hopeful youth of just under 17. Each responded to the needs of the other, for Mr. Irwin made the journey to escort Mrs. Blundell home, and was at the in terment of Henry.

At the graveside of Mrs. Irwin were her husband and daughter, the Blundell family, and many of the local natives who had known and respected “Sina bada.”

At the graveside of Henry Blundell were his father and mother, Mrs. Gland

ville and Messrs. Irwin, Boileau, and Munro, with natives of the plantation.

The burial ground was later consecrated by Rev. O. G. Parry.