Some Memories of the Late Eric Weine

Late Eric Weine

STORIES once current about Eric Weine, former strong arm dentist in Wau, New Guinea, have come back into cir culation since Eric was unhappily killed in a road accident in NSW.

Bill Gill, formerly a rubber-grower at Milne Bay, reminds us of two of them.

The new Papuan Hotel had been built in Port Moresby, and much admired by all, and New Guinea ites, passing through on the steamers, made a point of inspec ting it. Eric Weine visited there one evening; and he spoke dis respectfully about the new pub. A loyal Papuan remonstrated with him; and the festive Eric, always happy to engage, knocked him down. His pal leaped forward, and the lusty dentist dealt similarly with him.

The hotel manager, Frank Mahony—a son of the famous Sudest family—came in and tried to quieten Weine. Weine grabbed him, turned him upside-down, and tore his shirt off. The outraged manager sent for the police.

The police at that time comprised one European, somewhat undersized.

He took one quick look at the brawling bar, and decided the matter called for consultation with his Superintendent: and he got on his horse and thankfully rode off to Konedobu, where the Super, lived.

After that, they decided to in

crease the size of their police in Port Moresby: and that was when “Big Tom Gough” was introduced— still favourably known to the pre sent generation of Port folk.

Here is a story that Eric himself liked to tell. The barman at a hotel in Wau induced Weine to make him an upper set of teeth; and then he quietly disappeared, with teeth not paid for.

Some time later, when in a hotel in Rabaul, Weine met the barman.

“And how is the plate?” he asked, genially.

The barman said it wasn’t too good— hurt him a lot.

“Let’s see it”, said the dentist.

The barman handed it over.

“Poor job—l’m ashamed of it”, said the dentist, and put it on the floor and ground it under his heel.