Pioneers Of The

New Guinea

Goldfields

Letter to the Editor THE New Guinea described in those notes by “Old Timer” was a good place, then. Alas, those days are gone, never to return. One thing I am glad of is that I lived in New Guinea in that wonderful period.

What remarkable men those old Papuans were. No need to sign agree ments with lads like that —their word was their bond. At the moment, I think of Joe Sloane, “Red” Bill Parkes, “Shark eye” Park, George Arnold, “Robbie,” Frank Pryke, Les Joubert, Flo Stewart. What a wonderful bunch! Yes. and old Ned Coakley was another one of the best.

One good story I remember, of Ned.

There was a Royal Commission held, partly in Rabaul and partly at Salamaua.

The question was: Were we (“The Big Six”) holding more ground on Edie Creek than we should. My brother-in-law (F.

S. Boyce, KC, of Sydney) was represent ing us. Ned was the witness. Boyce said: “Now, Mr. Coakley, these people took many risks when pegging those leases— risks of being killed by natives, swimming flooded rivers, starvation, and being maimed climbing those high mountains.

Now, don’t you think they were entitled to those leases.” Old Ned replied; “Columbus went through all those risks, and more, when discovering America, Mr. Boyce—but did they give him America?” That broke up the Court.

Red Bill Parkes A few months after our - discovery of Edie Creek I took a trip South and Red Bill took my lease over to run it. And what a man he was! Later, I was at Bqram when one of BP’s inter-island ships came in for copra, before proceed ing South, via ports, for overhaul. Red Bill was going to Sydney on her. When he and the skipper came ashore at Boram, I said: “The Mohtoro is calling here day after to-morrow, Bill. Why not get off the freighter and catch her?” “No Mon toro for me, Dick,” said Bill. “Among all those passengers a man would have to wear a collar so high he couldn’t spit over it.”

It would be a pity if the memory of men like those is allowed to die. They were the salt of the earth.

I am. etc.,

Dick Glasson.

Charlton St., Nambucca Heads, NSW.

FOOTNOTE: In the article to which Mr. Glasson refers, the writer told of how a valuable nugget, sent by “Ned Oakley” to the Church in Melbourne was delivered to the wrong Archbishop, and of how an unhappy error was rectified. The name should have been “Ned Coakley.” Mr Ned Oakley was another man altogether— a District Officer.—Ed., PIM