Quintrell

Death Of Mr. James

MR. James Quintrell, late of Misima Island, Papua, died in Sydney on April 20, after a short illness. He leaves a widow, one son and a daughter.

“Jim” Quintrell, as he was affection ately known by all in the Eastern Divi sion of Papua (the natives respected and loved him), was associated with the gold mining industry at Misima for 27 years.

In 1916, he went to Misima from Broken Hill as a miner with the Block 10 Com pany, who had taken over the old St.

Aignan’s leases (now well known as the Cuthbert Mine). Until Mr. F. W. Cuth bert took over the mine, about 1928, it had a checkered career; but Mr. Quin trell was confident the gold was there The success which attended Mr. Cuth bert’s efforts was due, in no small mea sure, to Mr. Quintrell’s capable efficiency.

From 1935 to 1940 he was underground manager for the present Cuthbert Mis ima Co. He then decided to retire, but the Islands had their hold on him and in 1941 he returned to the Cuthbert mine and took over the development of the company’s northern leases. He came away in the evacuation early in 1942.

“Too many people in North America believe that already we are on the way to Berlin and Tokio,” writes Selwyn Hughes, RAAF. formerly of “Pacific Islands Monthly” staff, who is now com pleting in Canada his course as an air observer and gunner. “They think the war will be over soon. But thoughtful people don’t see it that way, and depre cate wishful thinking. Seen from here, in March, 1943, it looks like a long, tough war,”