In this essay I will try to uncover an alternative reading to the colonial administration’s reading about Patrol Officer W.J. Brand’s report,[1]—that the carriers ‘lacked stamina’—and suggest four reasons why some carriers wanted to leave the patrol on the third day. Considerations include diet, malarial infection, entering diverse cultural areas and topography. I conclude that…
Tag: Topography
Making History Module Essay by Brianna Pick
In June and July of 1951, Patrol Officer (Kiap)[1] S.S. Smith undertook a patrol to the Southern Highlands; specifically, the Mendi Valley. He was accompanied by two Europeans, 10 Indigenous police officers and an average of 40 Indigenous carriers (including translators).[2] The patrol lasted 15 days, with an un-reported rest in between of 5 days….
Making History Module Essay by Sarah Donnison
This patrol report was created in 1950 in the Eastern Highlands district of Papua New Guinea. It is inclusive of the patrol objectives, a letter from the District Officer, another letter from the Patrol officer, an introduction, a diary of events, a document of observations, a review of the Native Constabulary present on patrol, and…
Making History Module Essay by Trisha Underwood
The patrol report of Officer William McGrath is a valuable resource for understanding the early stages of Australian colonialism in the Southern Highland of Papua New Guinea. The report contains the documentation derived from the officer’s two patrols in 1955. The purpose of the patrol was to familiarise Officer McGrath with the Southern Highlands…
Making History Module Essay by Emma Carberry
Summary The purpose of this patrol was to survey the land in the South East corner of the Kainantu Sub-District and to assess the most effective means of administration. Assistant district officer H. W. West conducted the patrol for sixty days accompanied by patrol officer John Coleman. The area is regarded by West as largely…
Making History Module Essay By Aylish Tobin-Salzman
Abstract This report details the 40 day patrol led by D.W Eisenhauer. The members of the patrol team were a New Guinean interpreter, medical orderly, five policeman and 49 carriers. The patrol explored the uncontrolled area South of Mt Michael to expand the Australian Colonial Administration. Starting at Goroka the patrol walked to Kami, Lufa,…