Death Of Harry O'kane

Well-known Morobe Miner

NEWS of the death of Harry O’Kane, well-known Morobe miner has been received in Sydney recently; but no details are available. He was serving in ANGAU as a Warrant-Officer, and it is believed that he was in Bougainville at the time of his death.

He was a cane-farmer in Northern Queensland before he went to New Guinea about 1927 or 1928. He walked in from Salamaua to Wau; and, later, went on to Edie Creek. In the ’3o’s he and Mr. Bob Parer were partners in the Black Cat mine at Bitoi.

A Tribute From a Territorial!

“i~VNE by one go the merry hearts”— Vf and now Harry O’Kane!

Many an eye will smart at the news of his passing at Bougainville, and many a tale will be re-told.

Surely the old Bitoi will pause a second in grief and the tall trees around the camp rustle in sympathy, for all these things Harry O’Kane loved well.

The footsore and weary were received with open arms and treated right royally at his camp Harry loved his fellow men. A “wee drop” was always forth coming, and no one ever hurried from Black Cat mine; Harry O’Kane, with his Irish charm, wit and warm hospitality, held them there.