An Apiti Man in New Guinea.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 142, 14 December 1895, Page 2

An Apiti Man in New Guinea.

The following letter has been received from Dr Monckton's son, who, with Mr Frank Sylvester, took an adventurous trip to New Guinea : — •» Woodlark Island, British New Guinea. November 7tb, 1895. Dear F , Just a line or two to let you know that we arrived here safely. We have been all round the shop looking for something to do that would pay, and I think I have struck something here. This place is a gold fiejd and going to be a good one, I think, bat the rush has not set in yet, I have taken up a nice piece of ground just alongside of a decent claim. 1 am also buying gold from the Natives, but I am afraid they have not got much, though what they had was secured by • yours truly ' in exchange for a few beads and tomahawks. I am leaving Frank in charge here, and I am going up a river to find out where the natives get their gold. I have also got another little business on that I think is going to pay better than any gold mine. The place swarms with wild pigs ; the miners cannot see to shoot them for the scrub, and don't like wasting time, so with the assistance of " Sweep," the dog I brought from Feilding, and a couple of natives, I am becoming a carcase butcher— and its going to pay. All the meat here is tinned, and sells at Is a lb. We very nearly got wrecked in coming from Port Moresby to here. The vessel was anchored on a snnken coral reef, and when it came on to blow she dragged her anchor ; so away we went for four miles to leeward among a lot of reefs before they could get steam up to stop her. Frank and I have escaped from fever as yet, though we are expecting a dose every day, as half the white population here are down with it. Please excuse this scrawl as I am writing on the butt of a rifle by fire light with about sixteen natives crowding round staring at me. They think I am a devil as if I shift my false teeth they ruß like the deuce. I have set up an eyeglass to heighten the effect which is marvellous on them. The Governor kindly engaged a couple of reliable natives in my service. It is better than hiring odd ones that you know nothing about and who might play up little awkward games. I expect to take a run home in about a year with a nice collection of spears and photos from my Eodak. Pearls don't pay, I find, and I am not going to bother about them. I am, &c., C. A Whitmoee Monckton.