The Toughest Race On

Earth!

TWO representatives of what might be described as the toughest race on earth —namely, the pioneers of Papua—met in Sydney early in March, in the persons of Mrs. Elizabeth Ma hony (formerly known as “The Queen of Sudest Island”) and Mr. Robert Bruce, who was a planter and trader for many years in Papua. Both of these fine old people have reached the great age of four score years; yet, during their interview, they displayed a bright spirit and a gaiety which were an ex ample to persons fifty years their junior.

They did not have very much to be gay about, however. Mrs. Mahony has a broken leg and a broken arm, neither of which has mended very well, and Mr.

Bruce is half-blind and, owing to a per manently dislocated hip, he hobbles painfully with a stick. Yet each is a regular visitor to the city, and takes the keenest interest in all that is going on.

In other words, they refuse to grow old.

“Those whom the gods love die young” —which means, of course, that their spirit is young, no matter at what age they die. There is no doubt that the gods very much love Mrs. Mahony and Mr. Bruce.

Up to March 15, the amounts donated to the Papuan Division of the Red Cross Society, to be used in war work, amounted to £172.

BIRTH.—At Levuka, Fiji, on February 1, to Mr. and Mrs. Arch. Gardner, a son, Barry Arch.