By Tolala
pp. 21-22 · Read in the full issue
Territores Talk-Talk
IT seems that poor old Rabaul again faces problems, as a re sult of Budget paring. Not so long ago, the Powers-That-Be spoke al most flippantly in millions for har bour construction for the Rapopo site, but it seems now that plans are based on a shoe-string expenditure, and very much bound up in red tape.
It is a poor policy to keep the public uninformed as to what the Administration’s intentions are, but ever since Australia has had control of New Guinea the ordinary John Citizen has been a particularly non vocal individual, being pushed around by bureaucrats, large and small. The post-war creation of Town Advisory Councils is a step in the right direction towards terri torial autonomy, to which the white residents are as much entitled in New Guinea as the black residents, although from UN we hear only of “native independence” when it comes to administration.
I see where Forestry-expert, C. E.
Lane-Poole, has been paying a visit to New Britain and giving some stands the once-over. It is just about 30 years ago that he first stepped ashore in Rabaul, and in those days he spoke encouragingly of timber possibilities—although it was not until later years that the industry started to function in earnest.
Lane-Poole did a lot for the tim
ber business in Africa 40 years ago.
Met up with Gilbert Renton the other day in Sydney as he carefully parked his new car and flung me a cheery “Hyah, Mate!” He had just returned from a quick trip to Rabaul, which he made following his visit to the Old Dart.
Gilbert is one who never alters.
I have known him for 30 years and he’s the same to-day as he was in his old Public Works job, when he first arrived in Rabaul.
Gilbert had the Midas touch and, like most tycoons, at one time de veloped an ulcer. But he has rid himself of that now. His heart is still in the Islands—like all of us— but he plans to spend most of his time at his very fine home at Moore bank, NSW.
Another of the old-time Befores, whom I met recently was Jack Gil more—happy as ever, despite the fact that he was going into hospital for an operation.
He was one of the first to arrive with the Exproboard back in 1920, and was always a live-wire. Coco nuts, timber and his dynamic wife, Flo, put him on Easy Street. They have recently opened the modern Madang Hotel.
In the same group I noticed the Inseperables—Vic Pennefather and Tex Roberts—with their heads to gether planning (I suspect) their annual trip to Melbourne for the Cup. Vic and Tex are amongst the first of the Befores (excluding mis sionaries, of course). The former was a D.O. with the Military Occupation in 1914, while Tex was with AWA about the same time.
Both are in the pink of condition, which makes one doubtful of the fabled vicissitudes of Island life. In fact the majority of the real old timers wear exceedingly well, better than the city guys.
And talking of Befores reminds me of Syd Richardson, who was a mate of A. J. Bretag on the “Morobe News.” This energetic journalist cum-printer, after the war, took over the “Picton Post” (NSW) and made an exceptionally good job of it. Now he has branched out by buying out the “Camden News” and the “Camp belltown News,” both old-established papers with historical backgrounds. (Continued Next Page)
T must make a comment on Fred Archer’s paragraph in Editors’ Mail bag (Sept. PIM, page 16) anent J.
W. Campbell’s grave in Kieta. No one knew Kieta better than J.W.C. during those days when he was Dis trict Inspector of the CPL, control ling Soraken, Baniu, Teopasino and Arigua in the old German days. He it was who started Soraken, the first big station of the CPL in 1913. It was W. H. Lucas, Inspector for B.P. at the time who organised the whole business.
Some years previous to his death J.W. had remarked that when an old banyan tree at Soraken died he would follow suit. And so it hap pened. He was a colourful figure and though he made enemies, he had also made friends. His grave in Kieta is worthy of an obelisk.
An Indian scientist’s remarks about New Guinea copper are not at all surprising. Apart from Boot less Inlet there are many areas which should have been explored—Nakanai and Kieta, to name only two. The Nakanai massacre drew attention to that area in the late 20’s. It is a wonder that the Kieta fields have not been explored more. Old German assays showed all kinds of minerals, but Kupei—so far—has been the only ground worked, and we don’t hear much about that now.
Madge, of the New Guinea Bar in Sydney is now a staid married woman, but Cherry Mackay has taken over and carries on all the old traditions of being able to trace any NG visitor for whom there are any inquiries. Cherry comes from Queensland and can talk to you, even if you are a mute!