Eric’s stories during PNG Times 19
Eric’s Wedding Present20 DRAM BILONG PIPIA. Prior to Eric getting married in 1965, he advised his esteemed drinking colleagues gun wool presser Ken Granger and cadet forester Dick McCarthy that he required a new rubbish bin before getting married. Each week along Boroko Drive lovely rubbish bins were positioned on pedestals ready for collection. Easy, just drive up, collect a bin early in the morning and drop at Eric’s house. The expedition heads off in Eric’s VW. Back seat driver Dick McCarthy and Navigator Ken Granger21 recall being engaged in an attempted garbage tin theft with Hammer in 1964 just before he went South to get married. The bin targeted was a bin up on a stand outside the donga that Kev White shared with Chris Brown. The expedition drove up close in Eric’s VW Beetle and Ken Granger grabbed hold of the bin handle as Hammer accelerated away. Almost tore his arm off as the bloody thing was full. As the VW took off, Boroko Drive became strewn with rubbish. Finally, an empty bin was discovered which Ken held onto until the expedition returned to Eric’s donga with its booty. Friday Afternoon Drinks22. KONE CLUB. Kev White and Keith Cullen (back to camera) “in conference” at the Kone Club, 1968. Photo Credit Ken Granger. Ken Granger first met Eric at Keravat in 1964 when he and John Lowien were on their way to Bougainville to do a recce for the Empress Augusta Bay survey. Eric led the Empress Augusta Bay survey in 1964, the first helicopter supported survey that Ken was on. Eric had to cope with an unreliable chopper, the interference of the Catholic Church stirring up the locals in the Siwai. Eric was a good manager and leader. 19
Cartoon from Bob Brown’s Grass Roots Guide to PNG Pidgin South Pacific Post. Personal communication Dick McCarthy 31 July 2021 TPNG Forests 1963-1975. 21 Personal communication Ken Granger 29th July 2021.TPNG Forests 1963-1971. 22 Personal communication Ken Granger 29th July 2021. TPNG Forests 1963-1971. 20
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