Death Of Mrs. Richard Irwin

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, July 17.

IV/TRS. Richard Irwin, an old identity of Papua and a loved and respected resident of the east end of the Territory, died last month at Mogubo Plantation,

after a short illness. She was called “the grand old lady of Mogubo,” and her hos pitality will be long remembered.

Mrs. Irwin was born in Northumber land in 1864, and her family history deals with tales of the Border, when her fore bears, the Armstrongs, fought in the stir ring times of the period. When a girl, Mrs. Irwin left England for Townsville, and on her arrival in 1904-, wap married to Mr. Richard Irwin. From Townsville they went to Mosman to engage in pion eering the sugar industry, and in 1917

Mrs. Irwin crossed over to Papua, to Mogubo Plantation, where Mr. Irwin had been appointed as manager.

Mrs. Irwin was held in such high esteem by the natives employed on the plantation that they placed their valued personal belongings alongside her in her last resting-place. No greater honour could have been conferred by the native people.

Sub-Inspector P. M. Morris, of the Fiji Constabulary, returned to Suva after leave spent in England by the Mamari at the end of July.

Mr. D. Sinclair, of the New Guinea Public Works Department, is now in charge of roads at Wau, in place of the late C. L. G. Harslett.