FRIEDRICH WILHÅM'S HAFEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2265, 26 September 1914, Page 8

FRIEDRICH WILHÅM'S HAFEN.

Friedrich Wilhelms Hafen, the old capital on the mainland of what was German New Guinea, has an excellent, harbour, with a bold narrow entrance, widening out inside to provide ample and safe anchorage for a large number, of vessels. ■ ■. . ■ ' The New Guinea Company has been established here for many years, aud lias substantial wharfs, coal sheds, and buildings in connection with, its planta-. tions. Tho township, however, has always had an unenviable reputation from a health standpoint. - In the early days it was, although on a smaller 'scale, even more deadly thaii the notorious Sierra Leone, which bore the name of "the white man's grave." The dreaded "black-water fever," a severe typo of malaria, was the scourge, and officials, after a very short stav there either died or were hastily invalided away, so that masters of vessels visiting the port at intervals of a few months could expect to see a now manager and staff on each visit. An unpleasant surprise was received by one of the Southland troops prior to his departure. He rang up his parents in Invercargill, but could get no answer. Ho then got connected with afriend, who imparted the startling information that his (the trooper's) home had been burned down the previous evening. •