Death Of "Richie"

A Notable Old-Timer

Of New Guinea

From F. P. Archer, in Rabaul.

When Albert Richards died on February 28 at the Nonga Hospital, Rabaul, he left many friends to mourn him—for he was a notable old-timer who had always been a genial and

friendly man.

HE had travelled the Territory from end to end and had a wide circle of acquaintances among all races, for the nature of his work brought him into touch with so many, and he gave everyone “a fair go”.

Richie was educated in Victoria, and served overseas in World War I.

He came to New Guinea in 1921, in the employ of the Expropriation Board, which was set up to take over the ex-German properties after the war. He first ran plantations in Bougainville, then became a plant ation inspector at Madang, and later a branch manager for the Expro- Board’s Manus branch.

Inspector

When the properties under the board’s management were sold in 1926/1927 by the Commonwealth Government—to returned soldiers on terms—Richie was transferred to the Custodian of Expropriated Properties as inspector, and spent the years be tween that time and the coming of the Japanese in travelling from one end of the Territory to the other inspect ing and reporting on conditions. No one in those pre-war years saw so many plantation properties as he did and he came to be somewhat of an oracle, to be consulted by all.

With the Japanese invasion Richie managed to get to Australia, to spend the war years in External Affairs at Canberra. Back in Rabaul after the war he was then appointed inspector for the War Damage Commission, and for a long period was engaged in visiting all the districts to investigate and report on war damage claims.

To enable him to get to all the far flung islands and properties Richie was given a reliable trawler-type vessel named the Lila, skippered by the well-known Joe Kuhn. The three —Richie, Joe and Lila —bobbed up in all corners of the Territory and were

welcomed by those with claims to be adjusted—for Richie was an experienced, prompt and sympathetic inspector, who could see that the sooner people got back to their production jobs, so much the better.

When the War Damage Commission finished its work Richie remained as representative, or inspector, for the Custodian until, finally, all work in that connection was finished.

He retired from the Commonwealth Government’s employ at the end of 1964, and went to live at Varzin Plantation, near Kokopo. He was such a well-informed man on coconuts and

cocoa that many people continued to seek his advice and opinion right up until the last. Lately he had suffered from ill-health a great deal, A well-attended memorial service was held in the Church of England in Rabaul. He always said that he was content to live and to die in New Guinea, which during his many years residence he had come to look upon as his own country. So now he will become part of it.

Richie leaves a widow—Mrs. Nell Richards—of Varzin Plantation. • See also Tolala's tribute, p. 49.