Vale, T. L. Sefton,

1909-54! [?] ribute To A Papuan Pioneer By Tom Nevitt.

r B OM SEFTON, who died at Port Moresby early in June, was a I pioneer of the rubber industry 1 Papua. He arrived there in 1909 rhen, with another officer, he was elegated to open a branch of the lank of NSW at Port Moresby, ut. in less than two years, early i 1911, he was at the Koitakinumu libber estate as gn assistant. He ion assumed the management; and e retained it until severe illness freed him to retire in 1949.

Tom’s early training no doubt repared him for his success as a lanter. He was born in the brthern Rivers District of NSW, id was a lover of country life and [perfect horseman. He was keen id determined, and big both iysically and mentally.

There were many problems con pnting the planter in those early prs. They were the days when ule teams were used for transport, id it was a week’s journey to fol w the track from the Sogeri table nd to Port Moresby. But, despite te numerous difficulties, Koitaki, [ it is now popularly known, was jveloped into the largest rubber tate in Papua, and it earned a gh reputation for efficiency.

Koitaki also became one of the ost popular estates in the Terri ry with native labourers. Many tousands of Papuans, recruited om villages far and wide, came ider Tom Sefton’s control. He ok a personal interest in the wel re of all of them, and won their spect.

A true patriot of the land he had lopted, he played his part well as le of a group of pioneers who icouraged the natives to live more lalthily and to become skilled irkers.

Under Tom Sefton’s management, litaki was the first Papuan estate import selected seed from high elding Javanese rubber clones, 30 ars ago. Seed from these im rted varieties was eventually used plant up many acres in the more cently developed Territory planta ins.

Blood stock was imported from ieensland and successfully de stured during the pre-war years, irly sheep-raising experiments ;re also made on Koitaki lands; it it was found that the ex ssive rains caused foot-rot, and e project was abandoned.

IOM SEFTON’S energies were by no means directed to one pur se. Busy as he was, he found tie to play a leading part in Port oresby’s civic affairs, even though had to face a tedious, full day’s

journey by horse to reach the town.

He was a founder of the first Pro gress Association, Planters’ Associa tion, Port Moresby Race Club and the Papua Club.

Through his generosity he became well known throughout Papua and New Guinea as the big-hearted host of Koitaki. He is well remembered by his numerous Australian visitors over the years, and by others from America who were in occupation during the war. He enjoyed com pany, and he was the perfect host.

He is survived by his wife, a son (Colin) and daughter (Mrs. Oakley).

All are living in Papua and are highly esteemed by those who have the pleasure of knowing them.

Colin succeeded his father as manager of Koitaki, so the name of Sefton will no doubt continue to be associated with Territory pro gress for many years to come. It will always be a reminder of the courage and spirit of optimism possessed by the departed pioneer —and still needed in those who follow.