Territorians Into

Battle

Post-war Visions in New Guinea

in the various armed services in New Guinea are at last beginning to see the changed face of the country in terms of post-war utility. A correspondent in the Finschhafen area tells us of the satisfaction in building new roads , wharves, bridges and buildings— when it is felt that these are the first steps towards reconstruction in the Terri tory. He gives also the following news of Territorians who have crossed his trail recently. Some of the men mentioned have seen over four years of war, in the Middle East and elsewhere. Others of them were caught up by the Japs and made incredible escapes. All of them are doing a number-one job in New Guinea at the present time. rE scene has changed hereabouts in the last five months. It is difficult to realise that so short a time ago we were scrambling ashore in the grey light of early morning on Scarlet Beach —with no roads, or houses—only destruc tion all around.

Now there are roads, wharves, bridges and buildings; the natives are back in their villages, living peacefully, with new gardens planted. Law and order has been established once more.

Many men, well-known in New Guinea, have blown through here of late: Major Ayris, who is a purser on a ship, came in to see me a few days ago. He is as sprightly as ever, and, to his ever lasting credit, was able to do the right thing by Ted Jenyns and myself by pro ducing a bottle of “Nelson’s blood”—an amazing feat in these parts!

Ernie Hitchcock, after another fine stunt with his company of PIB, is here in hospital with a dose of fever —fortunately mild. Ken McMullen, Niall, McCarthy, Les Bell, Jack Thurston, Hector Wales, Snow Blakely, Tom Flowers, Bob Emery, Normie Neal, Richards (of the old Expro.

Board), Hector Maclean, Middleton and West (of Kar Kar), Blue Davis, Bird, Stewart and Carl Jacobssen —all have been through here in recent months. The majority of them are serving in an active capacity with ANGAU.

Bill Macgregor, for many years in Kavieng, and later recruiting, mining and prospecting, between Wewak and the Sepik, is now near here with District Services. He is one of the real tough old Expro. Board men—and one who knows as much about the country and the natives as any man living. K. T. Allan is also here with ANGAU.

I have heard that Charles Blake was wounded in the Arawe show; and that Lee Ashton was in the landing at Cape Gloucester. 11THILE I was over in Moresby a few Tf weeks ago I chanced to meet Nor man Wilde, who did such great work evacuating the» women and children from Wau by air, when the balloon went up. He was fit and well—and still doing good work.

I met Frank Leydon and Jerry Owers, late of NGG, there, too; and Harold Kock, schooner captain and planter of Rabaul, now resplendent in gold braid.

Kock has done, and is still doing, very important work wherein his great local knowledge of tides, reefs and passages has been of the greatest value.

I ran into the one and only James McGregor Dowsett also; and Geoff Cook, busy supervising the loading of “biscuit bombers.”