Frank Pryke’S Mates
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
■ T is a year since the death occurred of Frank 1 Pryke, pioneer prospector of Papua and New Guinea. Morobe goldfield, of which he was one of the discoverers, last year produced gold worth £2,000,000. Here is Frank Pryke’s last tribute to his old mates, written when he was very ill, and not long before he died.
It seems like only yesterday, So close my memories cling: Thoughts that ever backward stray To me great comfort bring.
I think of the old mining days, And mates I used to know— Of all our carefree, roving ways, In days of long ago.
Those good old mates big-hearted I’ll never see again— ’Tis years back, since we parted, And longings are in vain.
I still can see them all quite well Those mates so straight and true Many a story I can tell Of exploits they went through.
The many kindly things they’ve done, The risks they’ve undertaken, Of admiration often won, Of friendships never shaken.
May they have luck where’er they try And some bright prospect show: So now to them I’ll say “goodbye”— My mates of long ago.