Chapter 18 Sepik Blu Longpela Muruk
18
Angoram 1968
Annus mirabilis, Annus horribilis or a bit of both?
John Pietro faced bankruptcy. He had overreached himself financially in
purchasing the plane. The manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Wewak
was concerned with his failure to service his loan. He had neglected his
commercial interests since buying the plane and learning how to fly. The word
around town was that he was trying to drum up financial backing from anyone
who might be interested in becoming part-owner of the aircraft. He had
approached Bill Clayton, Sam Bell, Jim McLaren and Ron Watson, with what he
described to them as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Bill, Sam, and Jim brought the subject of Pietro up one afternoon, when
visiting James Ward. Sam Bell said:
“Pietro’s harebrained scheme to fly to the Asmat in West Irian and buy
artifacts is half-witted, in my opinion. He tells me he has a letter from some
bishop, telling him that the mission would be happy to assist him in any way
possible, if he was to fly in a planeload of medical supplies. The mission would
arrange for him to collect the medicine in Port Moresby. Apparently, there’s a
landing strip at a place called Ewer, which is about twenty minutes by outboard
motor or two hours by paddle canoe from Agats, where the mission is.
“From what he has been told, the Indonesians are madly burning Asmat
festival houses and carvings. The bishop, it appears, wants to discreetly save as
many Asmat cultural items as possible before the Indonesians burn them. He
has arranged with the people to stockpile the artifacts in a secluded spot ready to
be loaded on the plane for the return trip. All the artifacts have been paid for
and Pietro will be given these in return for bringing the medical supplies. The
chances of pulling this off are very good according to Pietro. It seems that the
Catholic Mission authorities could be alerted in Daru and he would be able to fly
to Ewer from there, keeping clear of Merauke when he crossed the border.
Some mate of his in Moresby told him there is only minimal Indonesian
surveillance in the region, so he should be OK.
“He’s broke, you know, and he’s virtually asking others to finance this
venture. You lot can do what you like, but he’s not getting any of my money. To
start with, I don’t fancy his ability as a pilot. The only claim to fame he has is his
membership of the mile-high club and he’ll need more than that flying around
West Irian.”
They all laughed and James called out to Kami to serve beer: Bia long Masta.
Beer for the Masters. Sam went on: “I’d love to get
my hands on some of those Asmat pieces.
There’s a great demand for them in America, especially since Michael
Rockefeller disappeared in Asmat territory. The ancestor figures, horns, drums,
sago bowls and pounders are really unique. My contacts in the States would pay
a fortune for a collection from there. I don’t believe that Pietro is the man to get
that collection. He’s too confident and does not plan enough. He reminds me of
that song that my son, Davie, is always singing: Jumpin’ Jack Flash, by a group
called, The Rolling Stones. But it’s all right, I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash, It’s a Gas! Gas!
Gas! That about sums up my opinion of Jack Pietro, but don’t let me influence
you.”
“Boy, oh boy, Sam, I didn’t know you were so with it,” said Jim.
“You can’t avoid it with a teenage son down south, Jim.”
Sam’s spiel gave Jim and Bill a lot to think about, especially as they respected
Sam’s opinion on money matters. Sam was always canny in business and with
his soft Scottish brogue, red face, Ernest Hemingway beard and impassioned
manner, he was most convincing.
Bill Clayton said: “I’m still thinking about it and I know Ron Watson has
promised Pietro a fair amount of money.” “Ah, yes, Bill, but has he
actually given him anything yet?” Sam asked. Jim McLaren commented: “There’s
a hell of a lot of money to be made if it comes off.”
James Ward had his say: “You had better all be aware that Pietro won’t be
able to get any insurance cover for this venture. From the point of view of
international law, the whole thing would be viewed as illegal. So, if the plane
goes down, you’re left with nothing and if word gets out there could be all sorts
of diplomatic problems. There must be better ways of making money.”
Sam said: “Well said, Jamie.” The party then broke up. By
this time they were all pretty well under the weather. Kami had kept the
beer flowing and clear thoughts on the subject under discussion were no
longer possible.
In time, James learned that Bill, Jim and Ron had all come on board in
Pietro’s venture. There was no talk about it in town and this was a credit to the
discretion of those involved. No doubt, John had warned his assistant, Ray
Mason, to say nothing. Early on a Saturday, John
Pietro was seen carefully checking his Piper Cherokee plane. Ray Mason and
Bill Clayton were assisting him. He revved the engine several times and Ray
handed him a thermos flask of coffee and a plastic container of sandwiches.
Before John left, he made radio contact with the Civil Aviation authorities in
Port Moresby, stating that he intended to fly to Moresby and pick up medical
supplies and transport them onto Daru for unloading. He informed Moresby
that he was going to to stay in Daru for some hours and then fly directly back to
Angoram. He was given the all clear to proceed.
Just before he left, Sam Bell arrived. Ray, Bill and Sam all shook hands with
John and he got into the cockpit and taxied to the end of the strip for take off
and away he went. Among the three left on the airstrip, there was a feeling of
apprehensiveness and excitement. Ray said: “Jack, he’ll be OK. He knows what
he’s doing.” No one said anything.
If all went well, John Pietro should be back in Angoram by late afternoon.
He said that if he was running late, he would stay the night in Daru on his
return. He thought it best to maintain radio silence as much as possible. He
would inform Civil Aviation in Moresby if he stayed at Daru and make some
excuse about engine trouble. He was most emphatic that should he be late, he
did not want anyone enquiring about him on air from Angoram. He said that
while he was flying in West Irian air space, he would be in the lap of the gods.
The few in the know in Angoram would just have to wait it out and hope for
the best. Late afternoon and nightfall
came to Angoram and there was no sign of John. Bill Clayton, who had
the Post Office agency with the radio facilities, said that they would do nothing
that night, but first thing in the morning he would get in touch with Daru Post
Office and make discreet enquiries.
In the morning, Bill, after a lot of trouble, because Angoram was not on
Daru’s radio sked, managed to get through. He asked to speak to someone from
the Catholic Mission and eventually he was put into contact with a Brother
Michael.
“Brother Michael, this is Bill Clayton from Angoram. Do you know anything
about a Piper Cherokee that arrived yesterday?”
“Yes, Bill, John came in yesterday and all I can say is we haven’t seen him
since. If I hear anything, I’ll get in touch immediately.”
“Thanks Brother, I’ll keep the radio on here so you can get straight through.
Over and signing off.” Brother Michael answered: “Roger.”
In two hours Brother Michael got through to Bill: “Bill, the news is not good.
I can’t say much on air but the Crosiers Fathers, from you know where, have
contacted our Bishop Henri Sautot on Yule Island and Bishop Alphonse van
Baar of the Crosiers will contact Bishop Leo Blum in Wewak. I’m sorry, Bill, but
that is about all I can say, over and out.”
Bill responded: “OK Brother, I’ll say over and out.”
Those in the know about John Pietro’s venture met late on Sunday at Jim
McLaren’s place on Tobacco Road. The general consensus was that everyone
should keep quiet. Bill Clayton said:
“At this stage, the kiaps know nothing about it. As far as they know, John has
flown to Moresby and will be there for a few days. We know that Bishop Blum
in Wewak will be getting a full report from that bishop in West Irian. I would
say sit tight and let Bishop Blum handle the situation. The Department of Civil
Aviation in Moresby is sure to be looking into it, but if the Indonesians know
nothing about it, you can be sure that the government here will want to bury the
whole thing.” Ray Mason asked: “Should I
write a letter to Jack’s parents in Australia?”
Bill answered: “For now do nothing because you don’t know what has
happened yet. I’ve got a lot of respect for Leo Blum and I’m sure when he gets a
full account, he’ll let us know. So, mum’s the word.”
Twenty days after their meeting, Bishop Leo Blum flew into Angoram. The
bishop was an excellent pilot and was known in the District as “the Flying
Bishop”. He parked his plane just off the strip and walked over to Fr Bert Brill’s
house. While there, he enquired of Bert if John Pietro’s business was being run
by anyone. Bert informed the bishop that there was a young man called Ray
Mason who seemed to be running things.
The bishop said: “I wonder, Father, if you would send word to him that I
would like to see him.” Bert answered: “I shall, My Lord.”
After some time, young Ray duly arrived. Bert introduced him to the bishop.
Ray was a bit overawed on meeting the bishop and he vaguely knew that a
bishop should be addressed as my something or other but he was not sure
exactly what. So he went for broke and said: “How do you do and I’m pleased
to meet you, My God.” This did not faze the bishop and he sat Ray down and
said that he would like to talk to him. He first asked Fr Brill to excuse them.
The bishop was a tall, lean American from Iowa, USA, and he had been in
the Territory for about twenty-three years. He was a softly spoken man with a
captivating personality and charming manners. In speaking to Ray, he treated
him with the utmost respect and consideration.
“Ray, I’ve got something very important I want to talk to you about, but
before I start, I wonder if John Pietro had another close associate in town, who
you would like to be present when I do this?”
Ray answered that he would like Bill Clayton to be with him. The bishop
said: “Fine Ray, I know Bill. Would you be so kind to ask Bill to come here?”
Ray answered that he would go and get him. Shortly after, Ray arrived back
with Bill. Bill greeted the bishop:
“G’day, my Lord, it’s good to see you again.”
“Likewise, Bill, I’m pleased to see you.”
They then all sat down and the bishop proceeded to speak: “I’ll assume that
you are both broadly speaking familiar with John Pietro’s plans to fly to West
Irian and have some idea what subsequently happened.”
Bill and Ray answered: “Yes” to this and the bishop then went on: “I’m now
in a position to tell you exactly what happened. Bishop Alphonse van Baar, of
the Crosiers in West Irian, has written me a full account of what occurred. His
letter had to be carried by foot across the border to a mission station in PNG
and from there it was flown to me in Wewak. That explains why it has taken so
long for a full account to arrive.
“You no doubt know that John arrived in Moresby. There his plane was
loaded with medical supplies that the Catholic Mission had arranged. He flew
onto Daru and from there to Ewer in West Irian, where the medical supplies
were unloaded. He told a Brother Paul that he had no trouble on the way over.
He kept well clear of Merauke. The local people than loaded his plane with
artifacts from the Asmat, under the direction of Brother Paul. Brother Paul was
a bit concerned that John was taking on a too heavy load, but John assured him
that the plane could handle it.
“After the plane was loaded, John took off without any trouble and headed
out to sea. But while the plane was still gaining height prior to turning inland, suddenly the engine stalled
and the plane plunged into the sea. There was nothing anyone could do as
the plane dropped in a very deep part of the sea and submerged within minutes.”
The bishop went on to say: “The mission and the local people were all
saddened by this tragedy. They are also extremely grateful to John for bringing
the medical supplies. There is an influenza and malaria epidemic in the area and
many people are dying. The penicillin and chloroquine and other medicines that
John brought are saving many lives. The bishop informed me that this is the first
supply of medicines that they have received for a long time. It is hard to get
permission and a clearance for planes to land from the Indonesian authorities.
When there is contact with the Indonesians, it is usually with an army group,
who have been sent in to subdue the village people and this often means
burning their festival houses with cultural and ritual items in them. The bishop
arranged a memorial service for John at the mission. He is very anxious to know
John’s parents’ address in Australia so that he can write to them.”
Ray said: “I can give you that.”
“Thanks,” Bishop Leo replied, “I’ll also write to them. Has anyone from
Moresby been here enquiring about John?”
Bill answered: “Yes, Bishop, a couple of blokes from the Department of
Civil Aviation were here last week trying to find out what they could. None of us
here told them much.” The bishop said: “That’s fine
Bill. Now, I can say that our government will be very discreet in
investigating this matter. Everything I’ve told you has been passed on to the
Administrator, David Hay, and as long as the Indonesians know nothing about the
incident, the matter will be largely laid to rest. Is there anything that either of you
would like to ask?” Ray and Bill didn’t think
that there was and they thanked the bishop for all he had done. Ray told the
bishop that he would send John’s parents’ address up with a boy as soon as he got
to his house. They said goodbye to the bishop and they went their respective
ways but first Bill said to Ray: “We’re lucky we’ve got a bloke like Leo handling
things.” Ray answered: “You can say that again.” Sometime later Sam Bell
remarked to Bill Clayton: “There’s a touch of irony in the way Pietro in death
has been able to get all these Catholic Mission people running after him. If there
is anything up there, he must be looking down and having a great laugh. We all
know what he thought of Catholicism.”
Jim McLaren, Bill Clayton and Ron Watson all lost money with the disaster
of the West Irian venture, but they all proved philosophical about it. The
consensus among them was that you can’t get blood out of a dry stone and
John’s estate was relatively worthless. John’s parents had written to Ray Mason
to say that he was welcome to keep whatever John had left behind in Angoram
and carry on with whatever business was left.
John’s death did have an unsettling effect in the town, but life waits for no
one and the business of living went on as usual.
Hala Sofia, the triumphant of the Mestiza
October 5, 2011 at 6:07 am (Commentary)
Hala Sofia
Is she Saxon? Is she French? Is she of Tornatras descent? Is she
Polish?
A Filipina beauty with blond hair and blue eyes presents a
puzzle.
The blood of Tagalog nobility, Spanish grandees, Dutch and French noblemen and noblewomen
flows strongly in her veins.
To say nothing of her Saxon, English, Dutch, Irish, Malay and Chinese ancestry,
and in the mix a Polish general!
A decree went out that a child would be born and there were
great celebrations in heaven and hades by the Whowalls, Ruizes,Guidos,Sidorowicz,
Banachowicz, Masons, McCauliffes, Van Kernagaars and de Berignys.
It was said that at her birth she could recite the Iliad, but
now at two she only says: “I want yummy for my tummy.”
The cards are in her favour but her Christian baptism is in
the wings.
What fate awaits her, this modern biological gem?
Only time will tell.
The signs are favourable for even her name is associated
with wisdom.
This international child is a 21st century gift
to Australia.
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