Brown Brother And The

Brig

BRIGADIER George Blank was due to visit Battalion Headquarters, some where in Papua. For the purpose, the battalion “Jeep” proceeded from Headquarters to the anchorage, carrying a small working party which were to remain at the anchorage and so leave the vehicle empty for the Brigadier and his staff.

On their way to the anchorage, the Jeep-laden working party passed a group of natives.

It was no trouble for the high-spirited “Aussies” to fraternise with Brown Brother. “How’yar, George,” “How’s tricks, George,” “Good-day, George,” came from the Jeep, as it passed.

The Jeep duly arrived at the anchor age, and the working party were replaced by the Brigadier and his staff, and the Jeep turned for home.

In the meantime, Brown Brother had been reinforced from the village nearby and. as the Jeep passed, it was vocifer ously greeted by cries of “How’yar, George. “How tricks, George,” “Lo George.”

The Brig’s annoyance was terrific, and no time was lost in getting hold of the ANGAU representative and telling him that punishment would have to be handed out to these insolent natives to pay for the insult. Fortunately, the ANGAU was an old hand in the Territory, and he was able to smooth things over without hav ing to exnlain too much to the outraged Brig.—A.J.M.

Private Gordon Eekhoff, formerly of Lae and now of Angau, with his wife and 5-years-old son Noel. He has been in New Guinea since 1922, and he joined his father, in the latter’s well-known Lae

store, in 1928. His marriage, to a pretty Townsville girl, was the first wedding celebrated in Lae. Gordon was in hospital in Queensland, suffering from malaria.