1 AUSTRALIAN FORESTERS in PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1922-1975 Editor R B McCarthy 2022. 2“STILL LOST” Photo R L Dr Gary Bacon and Dr Barry Gray. Year of birth 1940 Date joined Forestry PNG 1966 Occupation Forest Entomologist Work Localities Bulolo Forest Research Departure PNG 1974 Life after PNG Research Associate College of Forest Resources, University of Washington. Visiting Professor Oregon State University, then to life in Beerwah and Peachester Queensland. 1 Dick McCarthy District Forester TPNG Forests 1963 1975. 2 Source. Post Courier Friday 1st August 1969 PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B-5B4G5 of 20th Aug 2022 FOREST MANAGEMENT. Eminent TPNG Forest Entomologist Dr Barry Gray 1966 - 1974.
Forest Station Office, stores and nursery stand out beds. Photo credit Barry Gray
Papua New Guinea Memoirs: Barry Gray: May 1966 to April 1974.
Though pests were present in the hoop pine plantations at Bulolo, little research had been conducted prior to my appointment Previously the entomologists at the DASF were consulted. John Barrett from the DASF had conducted some studies on the large black weevil Vanapa oberthuri at Bulolo and in the eastern highlands in 1962. Frank Gay from the CSIRO, Canberra, visited Bulolo in 1961 and 1965 to advise the department on the termite problem in the plantations. Leon Clifford with John Ardley from DASF had carried out some work on the termites prior to my arrival. At the beginning I was asked to research the Vanapa and termite problems However, the “Elephant in the room” soon proved to be a very small black scolytid (Hylurdrectonus araucariae) whose biology was unknown and behaviour very peculiar as the beetle fed and lived in the hoop pine branchlets. There were many other pests such as the beautiful moth Milionia isodoxa. The increasing devastation caused by the scolytid resulted in a shift in priorities and it became abundantly clear that more professional staff and assistants were required In view of the short window of time available and the number of pest problems encountered several staff were recruited (refer Forest Research Station). Photograph of front of entomology building. Opened in 1968. Note size of klinkii pines. These were probably the first plantings in Bulolo. Photo credit Barry Gray.
Initially I was recruited by the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries (DASF) but transferred to the Department of Forests after discussions with Kevin White, Chief, Division of Silviculture I was appointed Forest Entomologist and to be based at Bulolo I spent the first three months in Australia and Port Moresby and visiting forestry operations in Papua New Guinea, before setting up in Bulolo.
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The first recorded collection was by K J White in 1963.
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Severe infestation of the hoop plantations started in 1966 and lasting until the early seventies. During the peak of the outbreak in 1972, 47.5% of the 3252 ha of planted Hoop pine at Bulolo and 91% out of 1186 ha at Wau were severely infested by the beetle.
Trials using insecticides were undertaken but the expense of treating the whole plantations could not be justified at the time. The black adult beetles are of 1.5 to 2 mm body length and can be easily found together with eggs, larvae, and pupae in the branchlets of an infested tree. The beetles bore entrance holes of about 0.5 mm diameter into the base of the needles and mine further into the cortex of the branchlets. The eggs are laid into the excavated galleries, where all stages of the life cycle develop and live together in a community. The day flying adult beetles develop within three to six weeks from the egg and have a life span of about two months. The number of individuals per nest varies between 10 and 60. Both, larvae and adults are responsible for the damage.
Life cycle of Hylurdrectonus araucariae and entrance hole in leaf of host tree (right) (drawing reproduced from Gray, B., 1968) At the initial stage of the infestation the branches of the lower or middle portion of the crown are affected. As a result of the cortex mining, the transport of nutrients and water is disrupted so that the affected branchlets wilt. The colour of the needles subsequently changes from green to yellow and brown. The wilt always starts at a distinct area, where the nest is located and proceeds further towards the tip of the branchlet. During the further progress of the infestation, the branches of the middle and upper crown, and finally the leader are affected, resulting in defoliation and loss of increment. Less vigorous trees die after two to six years of a severe Symptomsattack.of Hylurdrectonus araucariae attack.
Natural enemies of Hylurdrectonus are unknown.
Apart from termites, the minute Scolytidae beetle Hylurdrectonus araucariae is the most destructive pest of young Araucaria cunninghamii (hoop pine) in the Bulolo Wau area. Seedlings and older trees are rarely targeted by the beetle, however four to 12 year old trees are the most susceptible. Hoop pine seems to be the only host of this beetle. Records of the first Hylurdrectonus araucariae outbreak date back to the late fifties
Over the years several locals were employed and trained as technical staff Henry Ivagai and John Dobunaba deserve special mention as they remained with the entomology unit for many decades; Henry and John later had the rare distinction of having an insect named after them.
In early 1972 several new research personnel were appointed and stationed in Bulolo. There were no facilities available at the time to house these personnel. I met with Rod Weedon, the General Manager of the company, who again agreed to provide two vacant single quarters (barracks) for temporary use by the new personnel (Dave Lamb and Jack Simpson) and for the Silvicultural Section (John Davidson, John Dalton, Neville Howcroft, and Jeff Fairlamb)
project undertaken by me was a survey and field study of Araucaria spp.in Papua New Guinea over several years. Here I pay my respects to the late Jim Cavanaugh who earlier had visited several stands in the Eastern Highlands in the 1950’s when there were few roads. Whilst on a trip to Australia, I discussed the variation and size in the natural hoop pine stand with Garth Nikles (Queensland Forestry) and he suggested a detailed study of provenances be undertaken A proposal was put to Kevin White who approved it This task
Returning to the pest problems the research findings on Hylurdrectonus were grim and a recommendation was made to the department to cease planting hoop pine in the Bulolo Wau area and substitute klinki pine as the major plantation species. However, for practical reasons the planting of hoop pine continued on a decreasing scale whilst the planting of klinki pine was Anotherboosted.major
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Andrew Yauieb (standing) Jan 1972 and Muka Gamea, technician Photo Credit Barry Gray. In 1971 Andrew Yauieb, ANU Forestry School, Canberra, spent his summer break with the entomology section. In 1977 Andrew replaced Kevin White who was Acting Director as Director of the Office of Forests. Many workers, including Anton and Bereima, assisted in the field. Numerous people, including school children from as far afield as Goroka as well as tourists from overseas, visited Bulolo to see the expanding fauna collection. It was well known internationally for its size (>300,000 specimens) and coverage of the forest fauna of Papua New Guinea The collection has morphed into the National Forest Insect Collection and is now based at the Forest Research Institute in Lae
Technician Henry Ivagi in Entomology Section. Photo Credit Barry Gray.
5 was undertaken by Neville Howcroft who later made many trips throughout PNG and West Irian (refer Neville’s story). Once the late W. R. (Bill) Suttie, the Director, commented along the lines “Barry I haven’t a clue as to what you are doing but I trust you are doing the right thing.” It was this element of trust and directness that was so invigorating while serving in the department.
There were many events of a personal nature of which five are recorded below:
(a) For various reasons I had to visit Australia several times on official business and approval was difficult to obtain as it had to be granted by the then Minister for Territories Barnes He remarked at one stage why is Barry Gray wanting to visit Australia so often and sought more details. I was quite surprised to learn that the Minister even knew of my existence and more to the point the level of control then exerted by Canberra
(b) On one expedition3 in 1969 with Andy Gillison and Henry Ivagai we were stranded on Mt. Dayman for 11 days instead of the 5 planned and we had run out of food and had no means of communication with headquarters. It was bitterly cold at night and ice formed in the nearby stream and very strong gales. The helicopter booked to pick us up on the 5th day was instead posted to Rabaul to assist with the pending riots. In view of this we attempted to walk out but failed I lost several toenails as a result. Then Andy bravely took off by himself and 3 Source. Post Courier Friday 1st August 1969.
There was a substantial degree of autonomy and little bureaucratic meddling which made for greater efficiency and things got done. At times it required considerable initiative due to the isolation and lack of facilities and in those times consultation with fellow professionals by mail often took weeks/months Because of the lack of knowledge of tropical forest pests there were few people to seek advice from anyway, thus much of the research into the pests was Thenew.Chiefs were very approachable and helpful. I pay tribute to the late Kevin White who always listened and gave freely of his time. Sure, we had differences at times but there was no rancor, and we are forever indebted for his support and efforts in growing research in forestry in Papua New Guinea. I travelled extensively throughout the country, and it was always a pleasure to visit the regional and district offices (some personnel that come to mind: Norm Endacott, Darby Munroe, Dave “dokka” Read, Alan Ross, Bob Bruce, John Lowien, Alan White, Elliot Tuckwell and Eric Hammermaster) The Bulolo Forest Station (John Godlee, John Smith, and Ted (Uncle) Collis to name but a few) was crucial in supplying additional help and services during the years. Then there were many others in Head Office, Forest Products, the Forestry College, and Botany Division who were helpful and made our job that much easier. Yes, one can look back with fond memories and a certain degree of pride in being a participant in the forestry service prior to 1975.
(c) It was decided to undertake spray trails against Hylurdrectonus in 1971 using a HUSS bucket which was slung beneath a helicopter as suggested to me as a possibility by the US Forestry Service on a visit to the USA. This technique was novel at the time as it had only been previously used to spray oil spills. A HUSS bucket was located at Sale in the Gippsland area in southern Victoria and used by ESSO in the Bass oil fields.
I travelled to Sale and conducted some trial runs over the Pinus plantations in the Gippsland area. While it was quite exhilarating flying just above the Pinus canopy, the experience of flying just above the hoop pine trees in the Bulolo plantations was downright scary and bloody dangerous in the very hilly terrain. This was the primary reason for utilizing the HUSS bucket as it could be released on hitting a tree and not endanger the helicopter. In one incident the bucket was released. Fortunately, we were able to retrieve the damaged bucket and carry out repairs before returning it to ESSO in Australia. Jim Belford assisted on the Asproject.aprelude to the spray trials numerous items were required including balloons as markers. The pesky Clerk at the regional office in Lae promptly wrote back seeking to know whether I wanted party hats and whistles. Badly damaged HUSS bucket after retrieval. Photo Credit Barry Gray. This shows the operation of the HUSS bucket (HUSS = Davidson.PhotocouldonlyatThisSystem)UnderslungHelicopterSprayatBulolo.wasquiteasagathetime,forwhichBarryGraytellthestory!creditJohn
6 notified the authorities of our plight which by then was news in Australia and overseas On our return to Moresby the paper had the amusing headline “These boots were not made for walking.”
(e) As already mentioned, I carried out a survey of the distribution of the Araucaria spp in Papua New Guinea from 1966 to 1973. The survey required numerous aerial reconnaissance (fixed wing and helicopter) and ground journeys over approximately 80 90% of the Papua New Guinea mainland For the fixed wing flights, I preferred twin engine aircraft for safety reasons. During a survey in the western highlands one of the engines of the Beechcraft Baron was behaving badly and we (the pilot, Jack Simpson, and myself) made a hasty retreat to OnMadang.another flight in the southern highlands (the pilot, Dave Lamb, and myself) most of the terrain was uncharted on the maps due to cloud cover. The countryside (Strickland River, Blucher Range, and Donner, Ok Om, Lagaip and Pongera Rivers) was fascinating and at one location a large stream heading towards Lake Kutubu simply vanished. On returning to base the pilot thanked me for showing him around and I responded that was supposed to be your job. Then the pilot explained to me they normally had to follow strict flight paths and it was rare for them to fly in such remote and unfamiliar areas. On several other flights Col Roach from HQ accompanied me to take photographs of the stands. Beechcraft Baron used in aerial survey of Araucaria. L R Barry Gray, Bob Johns, Col Roach taking photographsaerial, Pilot. Photo Credit Barry Gray.
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(d) At the research station we had many visitors and, whilst single, several stayed in my “donga.” One such visitor (Jim Menzies from the PNG University) studied frogs Anyway, sometime during the night I was awoken by a very strange noise “plop plop.” On investigating I found these bags hopping about on the wooden floor. The darn frogs who had been placed in plastic bags and onto the kitchen table had managed to dislodge themselves and hence the “plop plopping” noise. It was a weird scenario.
Lastly, a major concern was the viability of research post independence following departure of the expatriates. The forest entomologists left in 1974. There was a hiatus until 1976 when, fortunately, Dr. Hywel Roberts joined the department and stayed in Papua New Guinea until the early 1990’s. A past colleague visited Bulolo in 2016 and found the research buildings vacant and seemingly derelict Most poignantly he met up with a former local employee who had not been paid for some time and he remarked he had very good memories of the research station pre 1975.
8 Entomology Section Bulolo 1973. Expatriates are left to right: Ross Wylie, Lonnie Merrifield, Ian Barber, Peter Shanahan and Barry Gray, and Pam Scraggs, Betty Nissan Evelyn Grinstead among the women. Photo Credit John Davidson.
9 ACRONYMS AAD Australian Antarctic Division ACT Australian Capital Territory ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ACLMP AusAid funded World Bank Land Mobilisation program. ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific States ADB Asian Development Bank AEC Administrators Executive Committee AFAP Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia & the Pacific Ltd. ADB African Development Bank AFLEGT African Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade AFPNG Association of Foresters of PNG AFS Australian Forestry School AFTA Asean Free Trade Area AIF Australian Infantry Forces AMF Australian Military Forces ANBG Australian National Botanical Gardens ANGAU Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit ANU Australian National University APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation APMF Australian Paper Manufacturers Forestry Pty Ltd APPM Australia Paper and Pulp Manufacturers ARD Afforestation, Reforestation and avoided Deforestation ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations ASIO Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASOPA Australian School of Pacific Administration ATIBT Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux ATL Accelerated Tariff Liberalization ATO African Timber Organization AusAID Australian Aid Agency BA basal area BCOF British Commonwealth Occupational Force 1945 52 BDV Brussels Definition of Value “Beer Time” Any time. BFC Bulolo Forestry College BGD Bulolo Gold Dredging Company BNGD British New Guinea Development (Company Limited) BUC Bulolo University College C Commonwealth cm centimetre CALM Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CDM Clean Development Mechanism CEFACT United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business CEPT Common Effective Preferential Tariff CERFLOR Certificate of Origin of Forest Raw Material, Brazil CFA Commonwealth Forestry Association CFE Community forestry enterprise
DOF Department of Forests
CIFOR Centre for International Forestry Research
EEA European Economic Area
CHAH Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria
C
CSD Commission on Sustainable Development (United Nations)
DEPT Department
CRE CRE is a term inherited by RAE from RE and is the term for the Commanding Officer of a RAE unit which is headed by a Lt Col. Although the officer is called the CRE the name is also used for the name of his unit. E.g., CRE Aust Forestry Group or 1(NG Forests).
ECOSOC Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
EC European Commission ECA Export credit agency
CRE Commander Royal Engineers
DSB Dispute Settlement Body
Etc et cetera (more of the same) EU European Union EVSL Early Voluntary Liberalisation
EFI European Forest Institute
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora & I
10 CGTM Cintra for Global Trade Model
C&L Certification and Labelling
DBH/ dbh Diameter at breast height
DIY Do-it-yourself
DPI Department of Primary Industry
EMAS Eco Management and Audit Scheme of European Union
EIA Environmental Investigation Agency
DIES Department of Information and Extension Services
CIF cost, insurance, freight
CPF Collaborative Partnership on Forests
C&I Criteria and Indicators
ENB East New Britain Province. e.g. For example ENGO Environmental Non governmental Organisation
EMS Environmental Management System
CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation
DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Criteria and indicators
CTE Committee on Trade and Environment
ECE Economic Commission for Europe
CNGT Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Bulolo CO2 carbon dioxide
DASF Dept of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries
COC chain of custody
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation
FMA Forest Management Agreement
COP Conference of Parties
F &TB Forest and Timber Bureau Canberra FIM Forest Information System
11 FPRC Forest Products Research Centre Hohola FRA Forest Resource Assessment FRG Forest Red Gum FRI Forest Research Institute Lae Forkol Bulolo Forestry College FSP/PNG Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific FCCC See UNFCCC FD Forest department FDI Foreign direct investment FIELD The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade FLEG Forest Law Enforcement and Governance FLONAS National Forest logging concessions, Brazil FOB free on board FSC Forest Stewardship Council FTAA Free Trade Area of the Americas GAB Girth above buttress Gbhob Girth breast height over bark Gubab Girth under bark above buttress GIS Geographic Information Systems G8 Group of Eight (leading economies) GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GFTN Global Forest and Trade Network GFPM Global Forest Products Model GHG greenhouse gas GIS Geographical information system GMO genetically modified organism GNP Gross National Product GPA Plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement GSP Generalized System of Preferences GTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit ha hectare IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IEA International Energy Agency IFA Institute of Foresters of Australia IFY International Year of the Forest IADB Inter American Development Bank IBAMA Amazon Environmental Institute, Brazil ICA International Commodity Agreement ICCI International Conference on C&I for Sustainable Forest Management IDB Inter American Development Bank IEA International Environmental Agreement IEC International Electrical Commission IFC International Finance Corporation IFF Intergovernmental Forum on Forests IHPA International Hardwood Products Association IIED International Institute for Environment and Development
12 IMF International Monetary Fund INGO International Non Governmental Organisations IPC Integrated Programme for Commodities IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPF Intergovernmental Panel on Forests ISO International Organization for Standardisation ITC International Trade Centre ITTA International Tropical Timber Agreement ITTC International Tropical Timber Council ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization IUCN The World Conservation Union IWPA International Wood Products Association JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency L of N League of Nations LRRS Land Resource Soils Survey (branch of CSIRO) LCA Life Cycle Analysis LEEC London Economic and Environmental Centre LEI Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute LULUCF Land Use, Land Use Change and Forests m3 cubic metre MCCAF McCarthy & Associates (Forestry) Pty. Ltd. MHA Member of House of Assembly PNG MM Military Medal MUS Malayan Uniform System MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement MFN Most Favoured Nation MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTTC Malaysian Timber Certification Council n.a. not available NAA National Archives Australia NARI National Agriculture Research Institute NB New Britain NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement NGO Non Governmental Organisation NHLA National Hardwood Lumber Association NRRP Natural Resources and Rights Program NT National Treatment NTB non tariff barrier NTCC National Timber Certification Council NTFP non timber forest product NTM non tariff measures NWFP non wood forest product NDS Northern District Sawmills NFCAP PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan NGM New Guinea Mainland no. number NG New Guinea NGF New Guinea Forces (relates to plant collection of Lae Herbarium) NGIB New Guinea Infantry Battalion
13 NGI New Guinea Islands NGO Non Government Organisation NGVR New Guinea Volunteer Rifles NZ New Zealand NSW New South Wales NTSC National Tree Seed Centre PNG Bulolo OECD Organization for Economic Co operation and Development OTO Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman OIC Officer in Charge OISCA Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International Japan. OTML Ok Tedi Mining Ltd P or p page PEFC Pan European Forest Certification Scheme PIB Papuan Infantry Battalion PIR Pacific Islands Regiment PNG Papua New Guinea PNGAA Papua New Guinea Australia Association PNGAF Papua New Guinea Australian Foresters Magazine Series PNGFA Papua New Guinea Forest Authority PNGFIA PNG Forest Industries Association PNGRIS Papua New Guinea Resource Information System PNGUT PNG University of Technology POM Port Moresby P&C Principles and Criteria PEFC Pan European Forest Certification Framework PGA Plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement PPM production and processing method PPP Polluter Pays Principle (other meaning Purchasing Power Parity) QLD Queensland QF Queensland Forestry RAE Royal Australian Engineers/Australian Army RPC Royal Papuan Constabulary RRA Rapid Resource Appraisal RIIA Royal Institute of International Affairs RIL reduced impact logging RFE Russia Far East RTA Regional Trade Agreement RWE roundwood equivalent SAP structural adjustment programme SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures SFM Sustainable Forest Management SGS Société General de Surveillance SMS Selective Management System Malaysia SP South Pacific SPWP Secondary Processed Wood Products sq m square metres TAG Trade Advisory Group of ITTO TSS Tropical Shelterwood System TBT Technical Barriers to Trade
14 TFF Tropical Forest Foundation TFRK traditional forest related knowledge TNC Transnational corporation TRAINS Trade Basic Indicators of UNCTAD TREM trade related environmental measures TRIM Trade Related Investment Measures TRIP Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights UK United Kingdom UN United Nations Unasylva Journal of FAO of UN UNCCD United Nations Programme to Combat Desertification UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development UNCSD United Nations Committee on Sustainable Development UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNESCO United Nations Economic and Social Council UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNFCCC Framework Convention on Climate Change of United Nations UNFF United Nations Forum on Forests US, USTR Office of the US Trade Representative UNE University of New England Armidale NSW UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNI University UNITECH University of Technology Lae PNG UNRE University of Natural Resources and Environment UPNG University of Papua New Guinea UQ University of Queensland US United States USA United States of America USD United States dollar TPNG Territory of Papua and New Guinea TUBL Territory United Brewery Ltd TA Timber Area TA Timber Authority TRP Timber Rights Purchase Vol volume VSF Victorian School of Forestry WA Western Australia WB World Bank WCMC World Conservation Monitoring Centre WCO World Customs Organisation WSSD World Summit for Sustainable Development WTO World Trade Organization WWF World Wide Fund for Nature