Transcript:
c/o New Guinea Gold fields Sta. WAU. TNG
"Dear Dick and Joan March 4th 1937
Many thanks for the Christmas card & Annual
which I received in good time. Herewith an enlargement
from a Leica, taken in our camp, by the Doctor.
I am expecting to leave Wau shortly for
3 months holiday, going to Sydney first &
perhaps a "walkabout" from there. This Co is
going in for native workers in many directions
Boys (natives) are driving lorries (2 ton Fords) to
Edrie Creek over a heavy grade & steep side
hill cuttings. Already a native backed his
bus over "Blue Point" a narrow shelf in
the road -- never stopped until he hit the creek
at the bottom 850 feet down. Two killed & one
badly injured. He fell out at 300 ft down & managed
to hang on to some some small bushes. The
drivers on the shafts also natives where no men
are listed, a few days ago one took the bucket
(electric dinky hoists) up against the ends of the
guides whereupon the winch departed, foundation &
all for the head sheave and the native left for the
tall timber in top gear. When asked what he
would do in the event of a fire underground
the drive said "Run like Hell". Several case of gold
stealing lately. A retired Lieut Engineer Commander
"Abie" by name got 2 years. They made a "Knock knock" out
of him as they do of everything, that happens here.
"Little Audrey is going out of fashion now.
Going to put this on the plane for Port Moresby
now.
Love to Lia
Yours affectionately
Dad.
Some notes:
TNG - "Territory of New Guinea" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_of_New_Guinea
"Little Audrey" - wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Audrey
