Papua

Elliot Smith Leaves Papua Administration Loses Another Experienced Man

WHEN Lt.-Colonel Sydney Elliot Smith, a senior member of the Papuan Administration and, since the war.

Acting Superintendent of Police, left the Territory on the last “Malaita,” old hands and new expressed deep regret that such an experienced and respected man had found it necessary to leave.

Elliot Smith became Patrol Officer in 1927; and was ARM at Samarai when war broke out in 1941. During the war, he was CO of the Papuan Infantry Bat talion; and, on the return of civil gov ernment, he undertook the difficult task of re-organising the Royal Papuan Constab ulary, which he had restored to its pre war level. He was generally regarded as a man of firm understanding and scrupulous fairness: and he was known throughout Papua for his ample build and more than commensurate laugh.

A week before Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Smith left, a social evening was held in the Returned Soldiers’ Club Rooms in their honour.

The Administrator nresented a cheque on behalf of the people of Moresby. The

meeting was chaired by Mr. W. C. Groves, who presented another cheque and an address on behalf of the native members of the Constabulary. Other speakers were Mr. E. J. Frame, Mr. A. E. (Buddy) Watkins, who presented a cheque from the Papuan Public Service Association; and Mr. W. R. Humphries, who gave the main speech of farewell.

Mr. Humphries said he remembered Elliot Smith when he first came to Papua, as a fine, strapping youth, who was posted to his station. Mr. Humphries pointed out how few people were left of that happy band, and stated that he was greatly saddened to see men of the calibre and experience of Elliot Smith and his contemporaries leaving the country, for raw and inexnerienced “University students” to take their places. He sug gested that the country would not profit by the exchange, and advised newcomers to the service that the wav to success in native administration was the thorough and hard working way of the “old brigade.”

All speakers caught the note of deep regret: but that did not prevent everyone from having a very good time, the snpner was one of the best the ladies of Moresby have provided for some time.

THERE was another farewell ceremony at the ship’s side. The RPC Band and members of the force paraded

on the wharf to farewell their departing chief, and a large crowd of residents thronged the boat. The band played during the evening; but at one stage a minor crisis developed when natives, loading the last few bales of rubber, knocked off to listen, and the band had to be removed. Later, the parade re-as sembled, Lt.-Colonel Elliot Smith in spected the force, the crowd left the ship, and all sang “Auld Lang Syne” as she prepared to pull out.

There seemed something symbolic about the occasion; the past was slipping away from the shores of Papua.