"Normie" Neal

Leading New Guinea Figure Leaves "For the Duration"

From Our Own Correspondent WAU, Dec. 30. r)N Saturday, December 23, we saw the departure of Mr. and Mrs.

N. P. H. Neal from the Goldfields, where they have lived for so many years, and where, it is safe to say, they would have made their per manent home had not the present war come along to set aside all their cherished ideas.

In 1926, “Normie” (as he is gener ally called on the Goldfields), walked in from Madang to Edie Creek, in company with three others, and in 1927 he discovered the Day Dawn Mine, in which he was actively interested until the company went into liqui dation some six years ago. Since then, he has been alluvial mining in and around Wau. He built his beau tiful home on the heights across the Little Wau, which bears the name of “Izzydizzy”, and Mrs. Neal and he surrounded it with delightful gardens and well-laid-out grounds.

Norman Neal served with distinc tion in the Great War, with the Sig nal Company of the Ist Divisional Engineers, A.1.F., receiving his com mission, an M.C. and Bar, and M.M.

After the War he continued his mili tary activities with the 55th Battalion, Militia, until his departure from Aus tralia for New Guinea. He has been, for several years, a member of the Legislative Council.

Thus another highly-esteemed old timer fades out of the Goldfields pic ture—at any rate, for the duration of the present war. Mrs. Neal and he will be very much missed by their hosts of friends.