A Pre-war Story About

a Sydney Milk-Cart

CHEY tell me that Jerry Pentland lives on the western side of the river in Goroka (NG High mds) these days, and, is a Town buncillor held in high esteem. Why oes not someone write the story of erry’s life, before it is allowed to ide away among the incredible lings? Anyway, here is my con •ibution to Stories of Jerry Pent md.

When I returned to New Guinea fter the war I was placed in a ibin with a greying gentleman horn I took to be a missionary— i assumption due partly to the ict that BP’s always hitherto had it me in with missionaries and irtly because my cabin mate emed such a quiet, gentlemanly pe. I revised my ideas within the >ur, however, when my suspected issionary invited me to assist him dealing with a bottle of gin. I scovered he was none other than bat genial reprobate, Sepik ibbie.” We found that we had any mutual acquaintances. Jerry mtland came into this category, [now him?” Robbie said. “I’ll say do!” It went on from there.

Robbie told me that back in the tter days of early Bulolo and Edie eek, he and Jerry were holiday l in Sydney, and staying at her’s.

Very early one morning Robbie md himself at the Cross, waiting • a taxi wherein to return home, rry came along and they agreed share a taxi. rhere were no taxis forthcoming, en a milk-waggon, with two rses, came along, and the milk ■n, with bottles, went down one the many lanes. terry said: “OK, Robbie, here we i! Hop up!” He took the ver’s seat and Robbie joined him. terry cracked the whip, and away y went. The lash was not spared ;il the horses were in full gallop h, as some old poet once said, )bble-chains and milk-cans a ?ling to the tune.” Jerry stood cracked the whip, and kept iing, “Tally ho.” Windows opened I lights went on as they swung 3 Castlereagh Street, at Usher’s, erry said: “Well, goodnight, )bie,” and passed a tip to George th advice to “keep an eye on horses”) and went to bed. text thing, Robbie was aroused a loud knock on his door, and ry saying, “The Police are here, )bie. Open up.” erry came in with a constable I said: “Robbie, do you know thing about a milk-waggon and horses?” obbie said, “No.” erry said: “Now, Robbie, you w you do these sort of things, if you have, own up.”

Finally, Jerry turned to the con stable and said: “I think he’s tell ing the truth, constable. There must have been some mistake.” The constable apologised and withdrew.

Only Jerry Pentland could hope to get away with a prank like that.

LH.

f! Mr. A. M. MacLeod-S mi t h Financial Secretary of the Western Pacific High Commission, departed on leave from Honiara on November 8. Mr. C. A. Kirkman assumed duty as Acting Financial Secretary and Mr. R. Davies took over Mr. Kirk man’s previous duties as Senior Assistant Secretary.