Markham Patrol Returns to

Lae No Jap Weapons Discovered

LAE, February 18.

ON February 18, ADO G. O’Donnell returned to Lae from a patrol of the Ufim and Umi River region. He had been out since January to investigate a report that natives had been killed by other natives who had used Jap weapons. (See January “PIM”).

The patrol was a difficult one traversing the country above the head-waters of the Markham River. Mr, O’Donnell and his party climbed to the moss-forest region which lies between 7,500 to 8,000 ft. in the Finesterre Ranges.

Natives met with had had little con tact with Europeans and were extremely shy and wary, darting of into the bush at the smallest excuse. It is many years since the area was patrolled.

One arrest was made but no Jap weapons were discovered. It is believed, however, that some natives in the region may be in possession of rifles and further patrols will be sent to the area in an endeavour to bring it under administra tion control Captain Henry Stringer, who lost his life in the foundering of the NSW coaster, “Bombo,” on February 23, was in the Public Service at Nauru for a time. He was mate on the “Bombo” and lived at Bondi, Sydney.

Miss I. Foulcher, of the Methodist Mission teaching staff in Fiji, was spend ing leave with her mother, in Sydney, in February.