Goldfields Encounter

By R. A. Vivian

IT was in the days of the Lakekamu goldfield, the last to be proclaimed in Papua (1909) that Jerry Ford, from Erin, and always “agin th’ gov’mint,” one morning left Nepa for Bulldog, on the river, to journey to the coast.

Along the bush track he encountered a tall individual who was loping his way towards Nepa. The stranger’s attire was simple in the extreme. Slouch hat, chequered shirt, red bandana round his neck, khaki pants and heavy brown boots.

Jerry eyed him with a good deal of in terest, trying to sum him up. Greetings being over, Jerry asked: “Coin’ to look f’r some gould?”

Looking down on Jerry, the stranger shook his head. “Ah-h,” went on Jerry, “I’ve just hear-rd that th’ gov'nor is ex

pected at th’ 'field. Did you happen to say th' ould at Bulldog?”

Again the stranger shook his head, although there came into his eyes a gleam of humour. Followed a few more verbal exchanges, and the pair went their respective ways.

Over a glass of whisky at Bulldog, Jerry was asked whether he had seen the Lieut- Governor, Judge Murray, along the track.

Jerry asked what he was like. He was told. Jerry stood petrified.

“Wha-at!” he exclaimed. “That ould, long ? Oh, hivins! W’en’s th’ larnch having f’r th' bache? Fill 'm up again, misther storekeeper.”

CWO H. W. Lee has been serving with the Royal Australian Navy in New Guinea waters since 1941. Formerly he was on W. R. Carpenter’s ships in that area.