A Pioneer Passes

Charlie Coppard of Misima

CHARLIE COPPARD, one of the ori ginal pioneers of Misima Island (Papua), died there on January 21, at the age of 79, having left the Territory only once in the 40 odd years of his re sidence.

He and five others—Bob Boyd, Sandy Grant, Dick Smith, “Black” Reid and Jimmy the Reefer (James Carlow)—went to Misima from Cooktown, Queensland, somewhere between 1888-90, and started alluvial workings. Most of the others subsequently drifted away, but Coppard stayed on and later developed a small coconut plantation, as a side-line.

When Broken Hill Block Ten started operations on the island, Coppard went to work for them until the price of gold fell and Broken Hill pulled out. When Cuthbert’s took over the old Broken Hill workings, Coppard became attached to the company and continued with them until the end; of later years, however, when he became too old for active min ing, he merely supplied them with coco nuts and produce for the native labourers and lime for the mine.

He made his only trip South about nine or ten years ago, when Mr. Bob Bunting induced him, to fly from Sydney to Mel bourne—that impressed itself upon his mind more than any other aspect of southern civilisation.

During the whole evacuation period after the beginning of the Pacific war he remained on the island.

He was held in highest esteem by Misima—ari?T other Papuan—residents. He was honest, straightforward and likeable —typical of the best of the pioneers who, towards the end of last century, wrote the opening chapters of Papua’s story.