Mr. Charles R. Baldwin

Memories Of Papua’s Pioneers

By J. Nixonwestwood.

ONE of the early independent storekeepers to start business in Port Moresby was Chdrles R. Baldwin.

He was originally from the North of England and, like a lot of other Englishmen, he wandered out to Australia, on to New Guinea, and commenced business opposite the old B. P. place, next door to the Moresby Hotel.

He built up an excellent connec tion, but was (or appeared to be) unlucky in his choice of managers.

Finally, he was able to induce one of B.P.’s men in Thursday Island to take over the management.

From then on his business went ahead.

Mr. A. G. Smyth, the new manager, put Baldwin’s affairs in proper shape and helped build the trade considerably. They acted as agent for a good number of plan ters, traders and shipping firms.

In the latter capacity they did the whole of the work connected with the KPM ships van Linschoter and van Waerwijck. CRB also owned a schooner called Gleaner, as well as taking care of all Osborne Brothers’ Dubuna Copper Mine products and representing other men on the Laloki field.

WITH such a good manager, Charlie Baldwin was able to meet all and sundry at Tom McCrann’s pub. When he had “one over the seven” he became argumentative and difficult; and, being only a small man, he always ran the risk of “stopping one”.

But most of the frequenters of Tom’s knew Charlie and his ways; and, as soon as he got too talkative, someone, or Tom himself, would shepherd him home.

A recent arrival, who reached Port on the same steamer as that on which “Yorkie” Booth made his entry, was a Swiss (later to become a wellknown character), Harry Bakker, He was called “Handsome Harry”, but he was about as ugly as it was possible to be.

He was small and hefty, and could use his fists to good advantage, as “Yorkie” found to his cost. They both came per the Dutch boat from, so they said, Darwin. There —so Harry told the folk—he had had trouble over smuggling. Why he was allowed to land in Port is a mystery; but land he did and, being a handyman— engineer, etc. — he soon found employment. But he was too often in Tom’s bar, and changed his jobs frequently.

As a newcomer, he did not know of Baldwin’s ways.

HARRY was invited to join Bse win in a drink, and in mn drinks, until they got to discs sions; then to arguing; and finsi into holts. From gentle words tU started bawling each other o until the noise was too much even Tom McCrann.

He sent his stepson for European gaoler (Mr. Hon Hides), who brought the natit in-charge, Kimai, with him, help. As the two now excited m refused to be calm, Hides s Kimai did a thing hitherto unhee of, and took both culprits to gaol at Elakona and locked thl in separate but adjoining cells.

Horace felt that, if they spent night there, and were able to sleJ they would be all right next moc ing. He was really very sorry\ have to lock up a European, bui was the only solution.

No sooner were they in the bunks, than they both went intd deep sleep, and Horace and Kiii went their various ways.

Next morning, Charlie, not knc; ing where he was yelled out: “Hi Where in the hell is my tea?”

There was no response.

Again he bawled, and this tid he awakened “Handsome”, v replied: “You silly old b —, , won’t get any tea here. You in quod!”

Even then the fact did not dss on Charlie. He only yelled loucj Harry, being unable to stand i more of the racket said: “Shut you silly old geezer—tea is served in gaol”.

When Charlie at last understj what Harry had said, and know* that a man like Harry could nob his guest, he realised where was, and started to cry.

As soon as Hides came out, , let them both go; and at the ss time he told them (Charlie particular) that he did not likes do what he had done, but as ft) were both so quarrelsome, he I no option. He asked them to have themselves in future.

In his report to the Residt Magistrate Mr. Hides sugges that, with the influx of so mu Europeans the time had come? employ an official constable. To t suggestion both the Judge and Administrator agreed. Later, constable arrived.

Charlie must have been prop«( impressed, because from that t:d on, he was an admirable citize; t According to official informat, it is estimated that West) Samoa’s Satapuala airport, and operation of the TEAL air serw produced an estimated direct ; indirect revenue of approximau £37,000 for the year ending Octo 31, 1956. This revenue included £sc in taxation paid to the Governmu and money spent by passengers j crews plus an estimated amountj £3450 from the sale of postt. stamps.