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The

Citation

Issued November 2006 Patron: Commissioner P White APM

THE NEWSLETTEROF THE

NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

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Office Address:House No.1Peter McAulay CentreBerrimah Northern Territory 0800Australia

Postal AddressPO Box 39764Winnellie NT 0821Australia

Phone/Fax 08 8922 3374

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Mark McAdieVice President/Public Officer Sean ParnellSecretary Barry FrewTreasurer Danny BaconCommittee Denzil McManus

Chantel FischerDeirdri HurwoodJohn Wolthers

E-mail [email protected]

Robert Stott and Family

The CitationNovember 2006

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

Greetings, and a brief update on what is happening within the NT Police Museum and Historical Society.

The Committee is continually looking for museum premises for displays. We were considering some displays in the foyer of Chan Building as the Police Executive staff was going to move in there at one stage, but this proposal is now off. They are moving into the new building called Chinatown which opens next year. However there is no room or provision for museum displays there.

Our premises/office (House 3 at PMC), Darwin is being used for collecting and preserving items, documents and photographs from the past. Thanks to our small but dedicated band of volunteers, the collection is gradually coming to some order. The volunteers regularly work two mornings a week, and relax with a chin wag and a cuppa. Perhaps you might like to come in and have a look at what is happening, and give a helping hand. It is very relaxing and rewarding re-visiting the history of the NT Police.

Or maybe you have a heap of police equipment that you were planning to dispose of. Why not consider giving us a ring to find out if it can be included in our collection? How about photographs of that bush station that you and your family served at. Or that story you tell at gatherings. Send them to us! Future generations of members can read these and they too can have a quiet chuckle about the old days. Send your police uniforms, photos, stories (try & keep them truthful!) in some cases police briefs if you still have them to us.

We are pursuing a project of gathering Police College group, class and graduation photos for record purposes. If you have Graduation photos, or Course photos send a copy to us with a list of the names of those in the photo on a separate piece of paper.

The Society was involved in arranging items for the displays in Canberra at the National Police Memorial Dedication on 29th September 2006. It consists of a memorial wall of names of Police Officers of Australia who died on duty. It is at Kings Park in Canberra. It was opened by John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia. All State and Territory Police Forces were represented by Commissioners, Chaplains, Mounted Police, Motor Cyclists, Police Air Wings and State Police Pipe Bands. Ita Buttrose AO, OBE was the master of ceremonies.

At the same time there was an exhibition at the Old Parliament House in Canberra called In the Line of Duty, consisting of 30 large panels of photographs and display cases of exhibits from all State Forces. We expect to obtain some photographs of this from a number of sources, and no doubt some will be included in future magazines. We had some members go down to the opening of the Memorial and we should be able to tell you more about this later. Details may be viewed on the internet at www.inlineofduty.com.au

A week long calendar of events in July celebrated the first intake of Women Police in the Northern Territory 45 years ago. A magnificent series of display boards highlighted the achievements of Women Police over that time. If there are any former members who were unaware of the occasion, please forward your contact details to us so we can pass them on.

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http://www.inlineofduty.com.au/


Do you know?

What the Police did in the Second World War? That NT Police were the only Force in Australia that served in a War Zone.

That several NT Police officers along with trackers were attached to a commando type unit.

Who was Bluey Harvey, Starlight, Petrov and Condon? Or that although this force started in 1870 with Paul Foelsche, there was a rural Constabulary in 1865.

That Police Officers were sent bush with materials to build their own stations.

Your Museum and its magazine Citation will try to present a variety of historical facts and events we hope you find interesting. Start by visiting our website at

http://www.nt.gov.au/pfes/police/ntpmhs/index.html

We also have displays at the Fannie Bay Gaol, at the foyer of PMC and in the show-case on the first floor of PMC.

Barry Frew

CHIT CHAT

A special thanks to Denzil McManus for restoring the frames on photographs of 14 distinctive early members, and which are now hung in our meeting room for viewing:-

1. James Harcourt Kelly, joined 1.8.1897, and retired medically 27.11.1927.2. Alf Stretton, joined 23.10.1911, and retired medically 4.8.1948.3. Vic Hall, joined 5.11.1924, resigned 2.3.1943.4. Gordon Stott, joined 18.12.1924, and died whilst serving 14.12.1965.5. Bill Littlejohn, joined 3.4.1925, and retired medically 29.1.1957.6. William Leslie Abbott, joined 29.2.1927, and retired medically 23.10.1947.7. Ted Morey, joined 20.6.1927, and medically retired 9.3.1948.8. Sandy McNab, joined 9.11.1928, and retired medically 6.3.1961.9. Hughie Deviney, joined 9.11.1928, and retired medically 1.9.1960.10. Alf (Broken Nose) Johnson, joined 29.8.1929, and retired medically 10.3.1949.11. Bill McKinnon, joined 1.6.1931, and retired 16.6.1962.12. Francis (Tiny) Deans, joined 6.11.1933 and retired medically 8.5.1951.13. Jim Mannion, joined 29.3.1936, and died whilst serving 16.9.1968.14. Greg Ryall, joined 9.1.1941, and retired medically 13.11.1970.

I had cause to phone Tim Egan earlier in the year. He had just returned from speaking to a class at the local school, where he had earlier delivered a talk on World War 1 - one of his pet subjects. The teacher had invited Tim back to talk to a class that contained some boys with problems. It’s great to hear that Tim’s skills as an orator are being put to such great use. Tim is president of the local RSL Club.

I also spoke with John Francis who is a life member of the Society and lives at The Hummock Qld – John is fit and well, and quite often meets up with former NT Police, Basil Courts, Geoff Hosking and Peter Ralph who all live around that area.

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http://www.nt.gov.au/pfes/police/ntpmhs/index.html


Ed Ferrier, another life member of our Society recently mentioned that Syd Bowie was one of the best Police Prosecutors he had ever witnessed. As well as serving in the job in the 1950’s, Ed has sat on the bench as a Justice of the Peace in the Northern Territory over many years.

Ian Morrison has called into the museum on a couple of occasions of late, and gave us a hand on the second occasion – Ian retired in 2002 and has recently returned from a three year stint working with the Australian contingent in New Guinea.

We have had recent correspondence from First Class Constable Christine Lang, who is a member of the WA Police Force and is presently working at the Mirrabooka Police Station. We have sent Christine all the information we had about her Grandfather – Louis Hook; unfortunately we have very little data on Lou. Lou was killed in a motor vehicle accident when he was only 50 years of age, well before his family could have pressured him into recording his life experiences.

Rosemary Rowe and Val Watters have attended the Society office week after week for over six years now. I had been given a copy of Bob Darken’s memoirs that had been retained by former editors and I had great difficulty scanning them because of the aging process. I later went to Bob’s file and there was every page sealed/preserved and clear as the day they were typed. It’s occasions like this that I fully appreciate the great job Rosemary and Val do – what a legacy you are preserving for the future. Rosemary and Val are presently cleaning out the storeroom and sewing covers on coat hangers to hang uniforms on etc. Thanks to you both.

Again thanks to trouble shooter David Watters without whose assistance this newsletter would never make the press!!

Barry and Clare Frew keep the organization running, and every day we thank God for their commitment.

Editor

RETURN TO CIVIL ADMINISTRATION.

The following is an extract from former Commissioner Bill McLaren’s manuscript on the Northern Territory Police Force. The Superintendent’s report for 1945/46 read in part:

“… The whole of the area North of Pine Creek was under Military control until 28th February, when it reverted to the control of the Civil Administration. With the completion of the Stuart Highway it became essential to provide police in that area with speedy means of transport. Accordingly motor vehicles were provided at the Police Stations at Adelaide River, Pine Creek, Katherine, Mataranka, Newcastle Waters and Tennant Creek. This provision has greatly assisted the policing of the districts mentioned, particularly in supervising traffic along the highway. An acute shortage of staff has been experienced during the year, but arrangements have now been completed to fill all vacancies. Sergeant McCaffery, Constables Morey, Deviney, Deans, Sampson and Waudby resumed duty from active service.

A circular was sent to all members of the police force requesting details of war service from all returned servicemen. A list compiled in January 1949 of those who served overseas included:

James J. Mannion, William Whitcombe, James A McLean, Peter Bruun, Alec R. Fraser, Stewart L. Berman, Hugh P. Deviney, Bertram J Mettam, Donald J. McFarlane, and Francis D. Deans. …”

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A CONCISE HISTORY 1869-1895

FROM THE FIRST TWO PAGES OF THE REPORT BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE FOR 1912 – selected items only are recorded here.

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

In furnishing my report for the year ended 31st December, ultimo, perhaps it may be of some interest to give a short account of the most serious offences committed in the Northern Territory from its inception until the end of 1911, as well as a few other matters.

In the tomb on Fort Hill, Darwin, is buried the remains of J.W.O. Bennett and Richard Hazard, two of Mr. Goyder's Survey party. The former was murdered by natives at Fred's Pass, Adelaide River, May, 1869; and the latter died at Darwin, August, 1869.

The murder of Mr. Bennett, the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line to Adelaide, and other matters, evidently moved the South Australian Government to police the Territory, as Inspector Foelsche arrived at Darwin from Adelaide, accompanied by five constables, January, 1870; and, later in the year, four other officers were added to the force. The principal duties appear to have been to keep the natives in order and protect the men employed on the telegraph construction.

November, 1872.-Constable Davies was taken by an alligator whilst bathing at Port Darwin. The body was recovered.

October, 1873.-August Hemming, a miner, when travelling from the gold-fields to Darwin, was murdered by natives at Birrell's Creek.

The strength of the force, December, 1873, was one inspector, one sergeant, and seventeen constables. Police camps were formed at Howley and Pine Creek during the month, stations having previously been opened at Southport and Yam Creek.

February, 1874.-A European was committed for trial for horse-stealing; and, as a Circuit Court was not then proclaimed in the Territory, the prisoner had to be taken to Adelaide for trial.

February, 1875.-Mr. Justice Wearing, accompanied by his Associate and a Crown Prosecutor, arrived from Adelaide, and held a sittings of the Supreme Court in Darwin. His Honour took his departure in the s.s. Gothenburg 16th of the same month, and on the 24th this ship was wrecked on Flinders Island, about 70 miles from Bowen, Queensland, and most of the passengers, including the Judge, Associate, and Crown Prosecutor, as well as many residents of the Northern Territory going south for a holiday, drowned.

The only person convicted at this Court was a Chinaman, who was found guilty by a jury composed half of his countrymen and half British. The prisoner soon after escaped from the goal, and was shot dead by a constable when endeavouring to effect his arrest.

The first Circuit Court - provided by Act 15 of 1875, proclaimed 13th November, 1875, and presided over by Mr. Scott, S.M. Commissioner was held at Darwin 21st December, 1875.

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January, 1878.-James Ellis, a teamster in charge of a wagon load of stores, was murdered at Granite Crossing, south of Pine Creek, and most of the goods stolen. A party of Europeans and police, who went in search of the offenders and found natives in possession of the stolen goods, were attacked by the aboriginals, some of whom were shot. Most of the stolen articles were recovered.

December, 1879.-The editor of the Northern Territory Times was fined 30 pounds for libeling a constable.

September, 1880.-A constable was convicted of stealing gold from the Southport Post-office, and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Constable Wilkinson was found drowned at Southport, February, 1876; and Constable Wood died at Yam Creek, June, 1881.

May, 1882.-Duncan Campbell was murdered near Elsey, and his murderer - a native - was shot when resisting arrest.

August, 1883.-Joseph Martin, a teamster, was murdered by natives at Lawson Creek, between Newcastle Waters and Powell's Creek. Constable Shirley, from Tennant's Creek, went to investigate, and was accompanied by Messrs. Giles, Arthur Phillips, George Phillips, James Hussey, John Russ, and a native. All perished in the bush east of Attack Creek of thirst, except Mr. Giles, and the native, who reached the telegraph line in a very exhausted condition, November, 1883.

February, 1884 Constable Charlesworth was drowned at Peter's Creek, near Adelaide River, whilst engaged in searching for the mail coach.

May, 1884.-Mr. Justice Pater arrived. Prior to this, no charge of murder could be dealt with in the Northern Territory.

21st September, 1884.-James Lawless, blacksmith, was murdered by Ah Kong at Port Darwin camp. The deceased found the Chinaman, whom he seized, robbing his house, when the Chinaman stabbed him several times. Assistance arrived, and the Chinaman was found held by Lawless with the knife in his hand. Lawless died soon after. Accused was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged; but the sentence was set aside by the Full Court in Adelaide on account of some informality in the indictment. In December, 1885, Ah Kong was again placed on trial for the murder of Lawless, found guilty and sentenced to death; but the Full Court again upset the conviction on some legal point, and Ah Kong was allowed to go free. (See South Australian Law Reports, Vol. XX., page 65.)

April, 1885.-A Chinaman was murdered by a native at Trepang Bay. The offender was arrested by Constable Stott, who travelled on foot with wild natives for about three weeks. Stott was highly commended and awarded £20. The native was convicted, and sentence commuted to imprisonment for life.

30th April, 1885-Sixteen horses and two mules belonging to Chinese carriers were driven away from Southport and maliciously killed, allegedly by Europeans at Finniss River, just as the carting season to the gold-fields was commencing; it was said the crime was committed to prevent competition with European carriers. Four Europeans were committed for trial; but case broke down at Circuit Court in consequence of one of the principal witnesses getting under the influence of liquor and giving contradictory evidence. In this case the police got

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no assistance from the European population, and their sympathies were entirely with the accused.

In 1885, two European and six native constables were stationed at Mount McMinn, Roper River, to keep order amongst the aborigines who, at that time, were very trouble-some, and had committed. numerous crimes. On one occasion, these natives surrounded and attacked the police camp. This force was disbanded at the end of 1886.

March, 1885 - Thomas Spellicy, stockman, and Ah Young, cook, were murdered at Wongalara Station, Wilton River. William Henry Whitton was convicted and sentenced to death; but before the time fixed for his execution he became insane, and was removed to Adelaide. From the time the offence was reported till the trial, the constable investigating travelled over 3,000 miles on that duty. This is a most interesting case, as Spellicy, when mortally wounded, wrote an account of the assault in his note-book, which he placed underneath him in his bunk, where it was found by the constable on removing the body. This writing was admitted at the trial as a dying declaration; and the case is referred to in South Australian Law Report, Vol. XX1.

Police Stations were opened at Borroloola and Katherine, November, 1886. Constable Wheatley died at Borroloola.

During 1889, Police Stations were opened at Happy Creek (Camooweal), Roper River, Powell's Creek, and Anthony's Lagoon.

The Palmerston to Pine Creek railway was opened for traffic 30th September, 1889.

April, 1889.-A native was murdered at Bowen's Straits. Rodney Claude Spencer was convicted of the offence. Sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life.

March, 1890.-The duties of Clerk of the Local Court of Darwin were transferred to the police, a constable to receive £20 a year in lieu of costs of over 500 pounds previously.

November, 1890.-John Drysdale, alias Monaghan who was in custody for horse-stealing, and under escort from Anthony's Lagoon to Borroloola, assaulted the constable, whom he rendered unconscious, then tied him; and when the native tracker returned with the police horses, Drysdale shot him (the tracker), and escaped on a police horse. The offender has not been arrested.

February, 1891.-William Marshall Calder was murdered near Lake Nash by a native, who was shot whilst violently resisting arrest.

I (Inspector Waters) was appointed Crown Prosecutor for June, 1891, session of the Palmerston Circuit Court, and carried on the duties until 1910.

May, 1892.-The Customs Bond at Darwin was broken into, and a large quantity of opium, value about £1,500, stolen. Although a very substantial reward was offered, and every effort made, no trace was got of the stolen drug.

1892.-Samuel Croker, manager of Auvergne Station, was shot by Charlie Flannigan (aboriginal half-caste), who was convicted, and executed in the Darwin Gaol. This was the first hanging in the Northern Territory.

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May, 1894 - A police station was opened at Gordon Creek, which was removed to Timber Creek, Victoria River,-April, 1898.

May, 1895.-John Mulligan and George Ligar, teamsters, were attacked by natives at T. K. Camp, Jasper Creek, Victoria River, and dangerously wounded; Mulligan having the muscles of one leg divided, and Ligar speared through the face and nose. They sustained a siege for two days behind their wagons and stacks of flour, and eventually escaped on horses without saddles or bridles. The head of the spear (flint) could not be extracted from Ligar's face till he arrived in Darwin some weeks later, and Mulligan was maimed for life. One native was arrested and found not guilty.

---ooOoo---

SOUTHERN GRANDMA

Lawyers should never ask a Southern grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer. In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me.You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs.You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defence attorney?" She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."

The defence attorney almost died.

The judge asked both counsellors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you to the electric chair."

--ooOoo--

HUSBAND WANTED

A woman inserted an advertisement in the classifieds saying: "Husband wanted."The next day she received 100 letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."

--ooOoo--

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THE STOTTS - A FAMILY AFFAIR

86 YEARS OF POLICE SERVICE

Robert Stott was born at Kincardene in Scotland on 13 July 1858. He joined the South Australian Police Force in May 1882, and transferred to the Northern Territory on 1 December, 1883 as a Mounted Constable.

He served at Borroloola, Roper River and other isolated bush Stations in wild conditions, which are almost incomprehensible to us to-day with our modern methods of transport and communication.

In his long and varied service throughout the Northern Territory Robert Stott had built up a remarkable reputation as a fair and just man to all. He was particularly revered in the Alice Springs district where he was stationed as a Sergeant in 1912, and served as Officer-in-Charge until his retirement in 1928. He was referred to as "The Uncrowned King of Central Australia".

The story is told of a visit in the early twenties of a High Southern Dignitary (not just one of your modern, run of the mill VIPs) to the tiny Alice Springs school. The High Southern Dignitary conducted the usual session with the telling of suitable anecdotes, and posing simple questions for the children's immediate response.

"And what is the name of our king?" he finally asked.

"Bob Stott!" was the spontaneous full-throated chorus from the children.

Shortly before Robert Stott's retirement the Territory was temporarily divided into two sections, North Australia and Central Australia, with a separate Police Force in each. According to the Commonwealth Gazette No. 61 Robert Stott was formally appointed "Commissioner of Police for the Territory of Central Australia, such appointment to take effect on 21st May, 1927".

Robert Stott was accidentally killed in 1928 when struck by a train in Adelaide while on pre-retirement leave. He had served the Northern Territory Police Force for forty six years - having had only 11 months leave in his previous forty five years service! Stott Terrace in Alice Springs and Mt. Stott, about 150miles north-east of Alice Springs, were both named after him.

Gordon Cameron Stott, son of Robert Stott was born on the 14th January, 1905, and following in his father's footsteps was sworn in as a Mounted Constable in the Northern Territory Police on the 18th December 1924, at the age of nineteen.

Gordon commenced his service in Darwin in the days before Police motor vehicles. The vehicular pride of the Force was a four-wheeled buggy drawn by a pair of horses called Judge and Jury. Camels and horses were the only form of transport in the outback.

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When Gordon went to his first bush station at Rankine River on the Barkly Tableland in 1925, he arrived on horseback. He left in the same way three years later. Mail, via packhorse, arrived once every six weeks from Camooweal.

In the years that followed, Gordon Stott was stationed at Roper Bar, Borroloola, Katherine (1931), Alice Springs, Timber Creek, Newcastle Waters, Elliott, Tennant Creek (1935) and Daly River.

Gordon patrolled through the Tablelands, the Gulf, the Tanami, Western Alice, Daly, Fitzmaurice and VRD areas, which may have entailed the search for a murderer, or looking for a lost traveller or simply collecting data for the latest census. He was an expert rider on horses and camels and a very competent bushman. Gordon also took his camera and recorded the unfolding Territory history.

In most of the country Stott patrolled, there were no roads and seldom even a bush pad. His bushman's instinct told him which way to go and how far. Or his Aboriginal trackers led the way.

He rode for days - often weeks - with native witnesses and prisoners, some of them chained, others not. He had to swim rivers, cross deserts and scale mountains, many of them nameless. Prisoners had to be freed while they crossed the larger streams, and he had nothing more than their word for it that they wouldn't escape.

One horse patrol from Newcastle Waters to Wave Hill went on for 300 miles. Another on camels covered 1,400 miles in three months through inhospitable country north-west from Alice Springs.

On his long patrols Stott had to carry enough food for three months - six 50Ib. bags of flour, two 701b. bags of sugar, 20 lbs of tea and a few tins of fruit and meat.

"I liked camel patrols better than horses because I could live in comfort", he recalled. "I could carry saucepans on a camel and make stews and puddings: that wasn't possible with horses".

Stott's water generally came from muddy billabongs, often polluted by animals. "I used salts as a distilling agent", he said. "Once I was forced to eat a dead emu I found".

In 1934 Gordon Stott became the first Policeman on the recently opened Tennant Creek goldfield. The Police Station was a bough shed. His bed was a swag beneath a tent-fly. His kitchen was an open fire behind a windbreak of mulga bushes. There were no refrigerators in the 112 degree heat and no iced water. Ordinary bore water, in fact, cost three shillings for an 8-gallon tin.

It was in Katherine that Gordon met Eileen, the fourth daughter of the illustrious pioneers Timothy and Catherine O'Shea. After a long courtship, the couple was married in Katherine on August 28 1940, by Rev. Father Connors.

In 1951 the vacancy for Elliott was advertised and Senior Constable Stott being the only applicant was duly appointed. His transfer brought about the closing of Newcastle Waters Police Station. A RAAF Mosquito bomber was reported missing in that year, and a party lead by Stott reached the aircraft and rescued both pilots.

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In 1959 Gordon Stott was amongst the first Northern Territory Police group to be awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

He might well have made Inspector, which would have required him to live in Alice Springs or Darwin. "I preferred the outback to promotion and I never persevered with exams. I'll probably stay in the bush until I retire", he was reported as saying.

In 1959 Gordon and Eileen moved to Daly River which was Gordon's last position before his sudden death in 1965. Gordon Cameron Stott had served in the Northern Territory Police Force for 40 years.

86 years of combined service in the one police force by father and son, Robert and Gordon Stott, is probably a world record.

This article is a compilation from items in the December 1965 Citation including "Revolution for the N. T. Mounties” by Douglas Lockwood, and from "The O'Shea Family History".

---ooOoo---

NOTICE TO BUDDING AUTHORS.

Ms Benny Thomas of Exisle Publishing which is based in the Hunter Valley NSW and publishes both in Australia and New Zealand, wants to produce a thick volume of interesting stories that will prove enjoyable reading not only for police men and women, but also for the general public.

They intend to divide the book into categories i.e. Action, Criminals, Laugher on the Job, Life Threatening Situations, Personal Toll and The Best Job in the World.

The stories can range anywhere from 2000 words to 20,000 words. They cannot promise to publish all works submitted but will certainly contact all the authors regarding their story. Once a story has been accepted they will work with the author on any editing that might need doing.

They are not a big company but the books they produce they work very hard to promote. They feel there is a really good market for police stories.

The stories can be emailed to Benny at [email protected] or sent to EXISLE PUBLISHING 230 NARONE CREEK RD WOLLOMBI NSW 2325

Royalties from the book will be directed towards the upkeep of the new Police Memorial in Canberra.

---ooOoo---

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mailto:[email protected]


DEVOTION AND SELF SACRIFICE

The following is an extract from pages 912/4 of former Commissioner Bill McLaren’s manuscript on the Northern Territory Police Force.

An outstanding example of devotion and self sacrifice was shown by an aboriginal, Kancubina-Kaing-oo-panny, who, with his wife, carried a leper, Smiler Yee-ee-pinny, 240 miles from Caledon Bay to Roper River for treatment. As a result of this action he was considered for the award of the Albert Medal. Mounted Constable Heathcock and his wife, who was a qualified nurse, were stationed at Roper River at the time of this occurrence in 1937. An extract from a report of Mounted Constable Heathcock submitted on 7th October 1937 best tells the story:-

"On about April 21st 1937 on my return from a police patrol found the sick boy Smiler Yee-ee-pinny and Kancubina segregated at the Police Station and being tended by my wife. Smiler being a pronounced leper and paralysed in the legs and with fingers and toes eaten away with sores."

Smiler who can talk English stated as follows:

"Kancubina-Kaing-oo-panny and his wife Boo-koo-murra and me bin leave Caledon Bay (about 240 miles) last cold weather time (about June 1936) - Two feller bin carry me all the way longa back. I bin want to come longa Roper Police Station for Mrs. Heathcock to fix im up hands and feet belong me.

Me cant walk, too sick longa foot and longa leg and Kaing-oo-panny and Book-oo-murra bin talk “We take im you".

They bin carry me from water to water and Kaing-oo-panny bin hunt and bring me kangaroo and porcupine and wallaby and when im go long way to hunt sometimes good many days Book-oo-murra bin get yams and roots and lillies belonga tuckout.

Sometimes two feller go away hunting together and im leave me plenty water and tucker.

Book-oo-murra too, when me bin no good smell longa sores, im bin get im gum leaves and box im up longa hot water and im bin bogie me longa leaf and water and kill im no good smell.

I bin talk plenty times long two feller. More better you leave im me die here. Two feller bin talk. No more we can’t leave you, we get im you longa police station alright.

I bin try get im to go back plenty times but him no more go.

I bin properly no good smell longa sores and I bin chuck him fingers and toes when him break off longa road.

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"Mounted Constable Heathcock continued –

I would respectfully suggest that if something is intended to be done for Kancubina Kaing-oo-panny that the lubra should be considered also and that instead of or rather together with the medal, these two natives should be recommended for a regular supply of tobacco and small hunting gear such as fishhooks, tomahawks, lines and 6"nails for dugonging. These would be of some use to them as they do not understand the significance of medals. Aboriginal Neighbour when being presented with the medal for saving Const. Johns from the Wilton River in flood said "What name this one - two bob”.

The recommendation of Mounted Constable Heathcock was, in part, adopted and Kancubina-Kaing-oo-panny was granted tobacco, fish hooks and other articles to the value of five pounds in lieu of the Albert Medal.

---ooOoo---

TIMBER CREEK MUSEUM

The Timber Creek Museum was established in 1988 by local resident Camille Fogarty and Constable Garth MacPherson. Constable MacPherson moved on after a few years leaving it for Ms Fogarty to care for. After many years of service Ms Fogarty has retired and the care of the museum is being undertaken by a local committee coordinated by Melanie Mengs (the Senior Policeman's wife).

About two years ago, Barry Frew, then vice President of the NT Police Museum and Historical Society in Darwin, presented Camille Fogarty with a Police Plaque for her efforts in establishing the Timber Creek Museum and for preserving NT Police History in general.

Barry recommends that if you are passing through the area, leave a little time to visit the museum which is situated behind the present day Police Complex in O'Keefe Street. Phone the local Police Station for opening hours.

Brief History. There has been a Police presence in the Timber Creek area for over 112 years.The region west of Katherine and surrounding the Victoria River and Timber Creek area was first explored by Augustus Gregory in 1855, and Europeans first applied for cattle leases in 1879.

The leases were stocked with cattle in 1883 on Victoria River Downs Station about two years before the Duracks travelled through.

Mounted Constable (MC) Willshire was the first Policeman in this area. In 1894 he travelled from Darwin with three native constables to open the first Police Station at Gordon Creek on VRD Cattle Station in May of that year.

In 1896 MC Willshire was replaced by M.C.Edmond O'Keefe. In 1898 a decision was made to move the station to the Timber Creek Depot. Although this was only five miles away, it took five days to move to the new site. The Station was established at this site on Timber Creek on 20 April 1898, firstly as a camp with a “bough” shed structure, and then in 1908 a house was built. This is the present day museum.

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This building was ant bed floor with ground level corrugated steel walls with lattice windows. In the Wet it floods when the creek runs a banka. In that year MC Charles DEMPSEY was refused permission to bring his wife to his station.

A second house on piers was built nearby in about 1935. It was occupied by Police until about 1977 when the present Police Station and residences were built.

Presently both the 1908 ground level and the 1935 house on piers belong to the National Trust.

---ooOoo---

SUBJECT : CREATION

On the first day, God created the dog and said: "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said: "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?" So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said: "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said: "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?" And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said: “You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said: "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?" And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said: "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But man said: "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?" "Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch andbark at everyone.

Now life has been explained to you. Go forth.

---ooOoo---

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DARWIN BOMBEDBy Gordon Birt

In World War II when Japanese planes attacked the American base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, on 7th December, 1941, I was on recreation leave from the Northern Territory Police. After a visit to my sister and brother-in-law at Minburra Station out of Orroroo, S.A., I returned to Adelaide on the day of the Japanese attack. Almost 38 years old and single, I spent most of my leave staying with my widowed mother, sister, and brother-in-law at the country town of Strathalbyn.

Holding the rank of Sergeant (2nd Class) I left Darwin in November 1941 on my three yearly accumulated recreation leave. My leave had originally been approved to commence in August 1941, but becoming involved as a witness in a murder trial and another important case it was postponed until November.

Due to resume duty in February 1942, I booked a passage in a Guinea Airways plane, but the airline telephoned me early in February cancelling the booking. I guessed that my seat had been allotted to some V.LP. Leaving Strathalbyn on February 10th I travelled by rail to Adelaide, and then caught the train known as "The Ghan" to Alice Springs. I hoped to connect with the regular mail truck to Birdum, the railhead of the 300 odd mile line from Darwin. But it was not the week for the mailman, and as he was making a special trip by car to Birdum to pick up some passengers, he was glad to take me.

Arriving at Birdum shortly after 10 a.m. on 19th February, an army signaller told me Darwin had been heavily bombed by Japanese planes. Later a train arrived, and l joined it on the return trip in the afternoon. Not making the usual overnight stay at Pine Creek, it continued throughout the night. Just after sunrise a plane flew overhead going southwards, and was joined by four others all keeping low as if to avoid detection. They resembled birds fleeing before an approaching storm. Actually they were the remnants of Darwin's air strength withdrawing to Da1y Waters approximately 380 miles (633 km) south.

During the trip we were side tracked at several sidings to allow southward bound trains to pass. Refugees packed into open trucks consisted of whites, Chinese and some coloured

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people, but no full-blood Aboriginals. Some held pathetic little tree branches overhead as protection from the fierce sun. Amongst them I recognized some seamen dressed in oil stained dungarees as crewmen from the Australian steamer "Zealandia", so it was clear their vessel had been sunk in the Japanese raid. The previous October I had assisted Customs officers searching the "Zealandia" for contraband, and one of the firemen, Slim Neilsen, I had met when he was prospecting at Tennant Creek, while I was stationed there in 1935-37.

At Adelaide River, 75 miles (125 km) south of Darwin, the train was held up indefinitely as the single track from Darwin was overloaded with south-bound traffic. Disembarking I went to the hotel, and found Administrator Abbott, Police Superintendent Stretton, and Constable Bowie from Darwin there. Also present was Constable Bill Abbott from Brocks Creek, Adelaide River being included in his district. When I enquired from the Superintendent, "Where do I go Sir"? he answered, "You are to go on and take charge in Darwin".

Still at Adelaide River on 21st February, I celebrated my 38th birthday, drinking with Bill Abbott and some Darwin civilians. The place was crowded with refugees who arrived from Darwin by car, truck, bicycles, and two men even used the Council sanitary truck. The unsealed metal road terminated at Adelaide River, and the route further south was a rough bush track following the railway line, with many steep creek crossings, often flooded in the prevailing wet season. A new all-weather road under construction from Alice Springs was a long way from completion. To help feed the hungry refugees, Constable Abbott and I arranged for a supply of beef from nearby Mount Bundy Station.

Some refugees who caught south-bound trains were able to take their cars with them on flat-top trucks, but many others were left behind and abandoned. A Chevrolet touring car left by Darwin's Director of Education, Mr. V. Lampe, was taken over by the Administrator, and he and I left Adelaide River on 23rd February bound for Darwin. On arrival at the 22 mile railway cottages, taken over by the military as temporary headquarters, Mr. Abbott left me in the car while he went inside, no doubt to confer with the army brass hats. A car sped past driven by Constable McNab with Sergeant (Ist class) Bridgland alongside him. Heading for Adelaide River, they failed to notice me.

Arriving in Darwin the Administrator left me at the police station on the Esplanade, and I took over the station from Sergeant (2nd class) Bill McKinnon to whom Sergeant Bridgland had handed over before he hurriedly left. The police barracks close by in Mitchell Street was a complete wreck, a 1,000 pound high explosive bomb having landed right alongside it. This caused the house next door, a timber and iron structure occupied by building contractor, C.M. Clarke, to collapse like a house of cards. Suffering no direct hit, the police station was damaged by near misses, and a large hole in the roof of the inspector's office was caused by a piece of rivetted steel which crashed through a table and became embedded in the concrete floor. This was evidently from the steamer "Neptuna", which loaded with explosives and set on fire by dive bombers, blew up scattering debris everywhere. In earlier times I had often admired the beauty of Darwin Harbour but since the Japanese raid on February 19th it was littered with the wrecks of eight sunken ships, including the Australian steamer "Zealandia". Across the harbour at Quarantine Point at the entrance to Fast Arm, the steamer "Barossa" owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company, was aground and leaning at a crazy angle. Not much remained of the mangled jetty which ran out from near Stokes Hill.

On 4th March, I experienced my first air raid. Just after lunch we noticed planes circling the R.A.A.F. Aerodrome as if about to land, and presuming they were our own, shouted jubilantly, "Hooray we are getting some reinforcements". As a military truck drove past, the driver yelled, "Take cover there is a raid on". Machine gun fire from the direction of the

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Aerodrome was followed by the wail of the town air raid siren, and we ran to our slit trenches. Japanese zero type fighter planes were strafing the Aerodrome, followed by attacks on the town. One came roaring down our street riddling an abandoned Guinea Airways car, parked between our two houses, with bullets, one hitting the top of the slit trench I was sheltering in.

Afterwards I heard that amongst R.A.A.F. personnel lying in slit trenches at the Aerodrome were five Japanese prisoners-of-war who had just been escorted from Bathurst Island after their capture by aboriginals.

In the late afternoon an R.A.A.F. plane landed bringing Judge Lowe of the Victorian Supreme Court as a Royal Commissioner to enquire into the circumstances of the raid on 19'h

February, and the conduct of officialdom and others. He was accompanied by two lawyers, Mr. J. V. Barry K. C. of Melbourne, and Mr. H. G. Alderman from Adelaide, and secretarial staff. The hearing commenced next morning, 5th March in the Lands and Survey Department office in Cavanagh Street. I was required to detail a constable as court orderly, and proceedings being in camera, no press or public were admitted. Continuing until 10th March, the hearing adjourned to Melbourne, where it would be concluded.

Constables Bob Darken and Lou Hook, stationed under me in Darwin, were called as witnesses. They were reported as testifying that after the raid on February 19th Administrator Abbott employed them loading his personal effects on a truck for removal to a safer place. At the same time part-aboriginal, Daisy Martin, employed at Government House, lay buried in the wreckage of the Administrator's office, where she had been sheltering when a bomb struck it. Denying the allegations, Mr. Abbott accused the two constables of committing perjury, claiming that the dead body of the maid had been dug out by him and his civilian chauffer. Knowing the two policemen I was satisfied they told the truth, as there was no motive for them to give false evidence.

In about 1985 Gordon's sister sent him 10 letters that she and their Mother received from him while he was stationed at Darwin during February, March and April 1942. Gordon typed copies of the letters and later typed remarks and explanations, and sent them to the Northern Territory Education Department who were kind enough to give us copies. The above article has been extracted from the letters, remarks and explanations.

The following was recently found on the museum computer, author unknown:

THE LIST OF NAMES OF MEMBERS, AS FAR AS I CAN ASCERTAIN, WHO WERE IN DARWIN ON 19 Feb 1942, DURING BOMBING

18 IN ALL.

RON BROWN LIONEL MCFARLAND BOB DARKEN

SYD BOWIE JOE MUTCH BILL MC KINNON

LEO LAW JOHN FITZGERALD HENRY LULLFITZ

LOU HOOK RON HUGHES VIC HALL

SANDY MC NAB JOE DOYLE ALF "DAVE" MOFFLIN

RAY BRIDGELAND A.V STRETTON GORDON BIRT

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LIONEL MC FARLAND WAS THE ONLY CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICER WHO STAYED IN DARWIN AFTER EARLY APRIL 1942, TO DRIVE JUDGE WELLS AROUND.

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GRADING PAPERS

A Catholic Elementary School test on stories from the Old and New Testaments resulted in these (genuine) howlers from the kids:

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

6. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

7. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

8. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

9. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

10. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

11. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

12. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

13. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

14. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

15. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

16. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

17. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

18.CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

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ROBERT COUSINS de CHAMFLEUR DARKEN

Robert Cousins de Chamfleur Darken was born at Parkes NSW on the 9 July 1919. On the 12 June 1939 Bob joined the Northern Territory Police.

Bob served at Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Roper River and was then stationed at Harts Range from 1945 to 1950 when he resigned to purchase Simpson Gap Cattle Station.

Bob was absent on war leave from 1942 until the 31 August 1943 but he and others were brought back into the job because of the huge influx of service personnel into the Territory, and Norforce realised that there was an acute shortage of civilian police due to natural wastage and the number of members who had been released for war service.

Bob was a very popular and admired man amongst the general Alice Springs population, and past and present day police. He passed away at his home in Alice Springs on the 17 February 2000.

Bob’s Widow Vicky Darken, who was born in Darwin, still resides in Alice Springs and is a life member of our Society.

Bob has done a great job in recording much of his life, and the following are a few of Bob’s musings.

Fifty years after the Japanese had bombed Darwin, Vicki and I were invited to Darwin to attend the commemoration services for the Anniversary of the bombing. The other remaining members of the Police Force at that time, along with their wives were also there for the services.

At the time of the fi rst raid on Darwin and until the Army took over in charge of running the place, the Police Force stayed until April, 1942, when we were transferred to Alice Springs.

Many stories, it would seem, have been fabricated about the first raid on Darwin. I have read where some people claim that they saw the bomb-bay doors open on the bombers and the bombs drop out. When the bombers were approaching, the bomb-bays would have been opened about ten miles away and at 27,000 feet - they must have had pretty good eye-sight. I certainly didn't see any bomb-bay doors open. As the bombers were overhead one could see the bombs falling like very small silver bubbles. One person claimed he watched the planes come in and saw the Jap leering at him as the plane went past. Most people were

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taking cover, either flinging themselves into a slit-trench, if they were lucky enough to find one, or ducking under or behind what was available for self-preservation.

Dave Mofflin and I missed being machine-gunned by a Jap Zero fighter and, as he passed in front of us no more than ten feet away, he was going so fast, that he was just a blur in the cockpit. I guess one's imagination could play havoc as the years roll by; as for seeing the enemy's face leering etc is a bit too much to believe.

There aren't many left of the original group in the Police Force, who weathered that fateful day on the 19th February, 1942. We went through some tough times, but, now and again, we shared something good in it all.

I have witnessed many runnings of the Todd River, some small flows, others raging torrents. Once when the Todd was running and rising by the minute, Lou Hook and I were on duty at the Police Station, when in came Dick Ward. Dick was a solicitor and much later became a Supreme Court Judge. Dick said there were two women sitting on Kurt Johannsen’s truck in the middle of the Todd. Lou and I went with Dick to the edge of the river and could see the truck way out in the middle of the flood.

It was pitch black but a few cars were shining their headlights over the water. Kurt Johannsen said if one of us would help him it may be possible to get the women out before the flood went clean over the top of them. Lou Hook was the first to speak, "I can't swim," he said. "Neither can I", I said. Anyway Kurt and I decided to give it a go. We tied a rope to a tree and took hold of it and started out to the truck. To t h i s day I don't know how we made it to t h e truck, but we did.

We were able to tie the rope to the truck so as we could hold on to it on the way back. Kurt and I each picked up a woman and made our way back. I had the woman over my shoulders otherwise she would have been under the water; as it was we both swallowed quite a bit. My lady had lost her handbag, her false teeth and her coat. After we were safely back on dry land, she didn't look her best, hair like a mop and absolutely saturated. Dick Ward, who, by this time, had imbibed a little, took one look at her and said "My God, throw her back." A little humour does wonders for one, soaked to the skin and mud clinging to boot.

Lou Hook put the hose on me to wash the mud off and then put the kettle on for a cup of coffee. One can say it broke the monotony during an evening shift.

Constable Hook and I were returning to Alice Springs from Bond Springs Station, one day, and when coming through the hills near the "Big Dipper" we saw an Army truck with a lot of smoke coming from underneath it. We drew level with the truck and told the driver to pull over as his vehicle was on fire. There were flames coming from underneath so Lou and I started putting it out by shovelling sand on it, which was a bit difficult. Eventually we got the fire out and looked around for the two drivers. After some time we saw them about 50 yards up the road behind some big rocks. We had a few heated words with them for leaving the fate of their vehicle to us. After we cooled down one of the drivers said "It's O.K. for you blokes if you want to be heroes but we don't get five bob a day to put out a fire on a truck loaded with three tons of Mortar Bombs." I don't doubt, if we had known what the contents of the truck were, we would probably have been with them behind the rocks.

---ooOoo---

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DARWIN AS IT WAS – DO YOU REMEMBER?

Excerpts from the memoirs of two new recruits – Pat in 1955 and Andy in 1959.

The barracks building was a long, elevated, structure with a common room in the middle and separate rooms off a passage which ran the length of the building. Louvered windows went from top to bottom of the walls to maximise through-flow ventilation. Upstairs the whole place, including the common room, seemed to be crowded with the bodies of dormant Policemen. There was a mixture of new-comers and old hands, those with the best rooms being the most senior or blessed with superior physical prowess. The scene would not have looked so chaotic had the occupants been tidier in their habits.

Breakfast was taken at one of the Government-run hostels, a ladies hostel in fact. In earlier years the premises had accommodated the "Don Hotel" but it was refurbished in 1953 to accommodate public servants. Only a short block down from the Police Station, almost in the centre of town, it was a very convenient mess for recruits.

It was something of a ritual for off-duty members to arrive at the Police Station after breakfast each Sunday morning to swap yarns, catch up on and digest Saturday night happenings and the contents of Sydney week-end papers. As with any similar such organisation of the day where two or more policemen met they would talk shop and so maintain a valuable communication and distribution service for news, and gossip, inside the force, within the town, even the Territory as a whole.

PAT

Bennett Street Police Station was a building that had once been used as Naval Headquarters. Directly opposite was an old house, which was at that time the Registrar of Motor Vehicles Office. To the right and rear of the RMV was the Naval Base that took up the entire block between Smith and Mitchell Streets. The Reserve Constable on duty at the front counter of the police station looked directly across the street at the RMV Office.

Although the Bennett Street building was the city's police station it also included some accommodation. The first floor housed the Criminal Investigation Branch and some single men's accommodation, whilst almost everything else was on the ground floor. There we had the Station Sergeant's Office, Radio and Muster Rooms, an interview room, and next to all this a large recreation and billiards room. In front of the billiard room was the Traffic Section office and there was also a room at the rear used to fingerprint prisoners. This room also housed yellow coloured ex-military type bicycles that could be used on patrols of the city during midnight shift, if you felt so inclined!

There were over-head fans everywhere and they at least circulated the hot air a little. They also helped evaporate the perspiration that invariably dripped onto the report that had just been typed to go to the boss. Paperweights had to be used on every desk because of the fans blowing papers around. Air-conditioning was not for the likes of mere coppers.

What is now called Austin Lane ran along side of the Mitchell Street side of the police station but you could only drive down the lane as far as a laundry block, built across the lane and next to the cells at the back of the station. This laundry served half a dozen tin huts that were located between Austin Lane and Mitchell Street and were used by more of our single blokes. Among the occupants was Constable John Healey, who lived in a hut he had named the "Vile Inn". John had a great record collection and often entertained in his cramped quarters. The advantage of living in the huts was that there were cooking facilities provided.

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Police Headquarters was located on the corner of Smith and Daly Streets. All Officers, administration and the stores were housed there along with Special Branch. Sergeant Barry (Tubby) Tiernan was in the latter with Constable Trevor Adey as his offsider.

ANDY

The first day included a visit to the Police store or in military terms the Quarter Master to collect necessary accoutrements: handcuffs and rubber truncheon (just like those seen in the movies) wide tan leather belt, chromed buttons, shoulder flashes, collar number (28), and "Commonwealth Police" hat badge. A large, crown-size, medallion type identification badge completed the issue.

There was not one size 7 1/4 hat in store. Shoes were to be purchased separately at the local shoe shop.

A tailor in China-town tailored khaki drill trousers complete with belt loops and a long, internal baton pocket and would supply uniform issue shirts.

The first three days as a "Mounty" were spent locating and identifying various town facilities and amenities. There were three pubs in town, one boasting "Class"; one boasting 'Hospitality" and the other boasting "Booze". The lesser of the three evils for regular socialising seemed to be the public bar of the "Classy" establishment. There was no ban on ladies in Darwin public bars, beer cost 4/6d a bottle and closing time was l0pm. Picture shows were screened nightly at the one and only theatre, just around the corner from the Police Station, across the main street from the pub which boasted "Hospitality".

Sweltering pre-wet season or "Build-up" weather caused all and sundry to work up healthy thirsts in the stifling heat and it was not surprising that "Drinking" was a popular recreation, hobby and addiction in the town. However, a modest evening social drink for the newcomers would see two, three or four of them get together and each buy a round: - one 26oz bottle.

Late-closing made for more casual socialising and was a marked improvement from the dark ages of 6 o'clock closing, "The Pig Swill" in Victoria. It was not uncommon for evening drinkers or afternoon shift workers to partake of a feed of "Steak and Eggs" at a popular back-lane eating place.

Roughly square in layout it boasted a counter and chairs, served bounteous food late into the night and seemed to glory in the name of "The Chew and Spew" or "Evil's Grill Bar". The food was always good, wholesome and tasty although the steaks, like all Darwin steaks were as tough as shoe leather. After a day and/or a night on the booze nobody complained about the steak. Converted Sidney-Williams-huts housed both the court of Summary Jurisdiction and Supreme Court and were a block or so away from the Police Station in Mitchell Street. Other important establishments were the Fannie Bay Goal, a few miles from town, in an idyllic setting overlooking the bay; the hospital and "Sisters' Quarters" a mile and a half or so distant; a suburban pub at Parap-Parap; and it was a similar distance to the Larrakeyah Army Base which boasted a neat little salt-water swimming pool. The Chiefs-and Petty-Officers mess at H.M.A.S. Melville was less than a block from the Police station and Policemen were welcome there for a drink. Below the cliffs and Government House lay Fort Hill and Stokes Hill wharves the scenes of great devastation when Japanese aircraft attacked the harbour in 1942.

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The "Neptunia" still lay on its side on the harbour bottom to form part of Stokes Hill Wharf. Burned out, rusty, fuel-oil tanks lay collapsed and crumpled.

Further around the harbour, near the Darwin Oval, down a steep, narrow cliffside path was Lameroo Beach and the rather dilapidated public baths which filled with sea water on high tides.

The one and only wireless broadcaster was a part of the A.B.C. South Australian regional network, station 5 DR (Later 8DR). A publication called the Northern Territory News had been established in Darwin in 1952 and represented itself as a newspaper, at the time, printing editions on each Tuesday and Thursday.

Other salient features to be familiar with were the railway station, Town Yard, and Town mess at the bottom end of Bennett Street, two blocks or so from the Police Station.

Scattered around the municipality were relics from the wartime Military presence: Belsen Camp, K9 camp, Parap Camp, Pee Wee and Frances Camp. All consisted of more and more ex-Army Sidney Williams Huts; plus the Navy Victualling Yards near Salonika and an ex Navy camp at Nightcliff. The old anti-submarine boom pylons and coastal artillery emplacements (9.2" and 6" guns) were at East Point overlooking a wonderful seascape. At Winnellie, some five or six miles along the Highway, was the notorious Winnellie Camp which consisted of a collection of old army huts, once part of a wartime military hospital complex, but in following years to become the Darwin Showgrounds

Dinah Beach and Japanese Beach were set along the edge of Francis Bay amongst the mangroves and in the same neighbourhood was the "One Mile Dam" or "Railway Dam". Ruins of Vesteys Meat Works graced the top of Bullocky point and accommodated the Government garage. It was a grand location, a choice piece of land which would within a decade be home to the Darwin High School.

At the “Four Mile” Stuart Highway stood the entrance to R.A.A.F. Base, Darwin. This facility doubled as the civilian airport to cater for domestic travellers and stop-over for international flights. Police recruits were cautioned at the beginning of their service about No 5 Airfield Construction Squadron which was in the midst of constructing a mammoth new runway complex at the base.

SACS personnel would work like demons for eleven days straight, and then have three days off to "Relax" about town. They were indeed a wild mob; but the magnificent runway and ancillary works at R.A.A.F. Darwin would stand for many decades as a monument to their toil. It seems a pity that someone did not think of directing the squadron and their equipment Southwards to construct a permanent-way for a Darwin - Adelaide Railway. That team would probably have completed the job inside a year.

Police "Cars" were mostly motley relics from the past. The chief’s car was a 1948 Chevrolet sedan and there was a fiendish "Black Maria" van built on a "Commer" chassis that was not only seriously under-powered but had dubious brakes and suspension. There was a one-ton lend-lease "Chev." truck/utility and a couple of "KB1 " International utilities. Apart from the "Chief’s" car the fleet would not have survived a rigid road safety test.

Brakes, lights, windscreen wipers, and gear levers were all suspect. One utility had the disconcerting habit of popping its floor-change gear lever out of its socket during changes from top gear down to second. Surprised drivers would find they held a gear lever floating

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about the cabin quite remote from the gear box. Plain-clothes police enjoyed a better class of utility in the "AL" model International. Two B.S.A. Golden Flash 500cc motor cycles, used for traffic duties and enquiries were in reasonable condition.

PAT

Little changed – this is Andy’s description of the “Police Fleet”.

For some reason in 1959 and the early sixties, with a few exceptions, it seemed that we were only issued vehicles that had been previously used by other government departments. They were old, most were in poor condition and had just about gone past their "use by date" when we got them. In the uniform section we had 1953 model Ford utilities. C.I.B. had a couple of ex-Welfare Branch "F.J." Holden sedans about 1950 vintage, and there was also an International utility and one old International prison van. The latter we must have inherited from some other force, as it was custom made and totally unsuitable for the tropics. One vehicle we thought was tops was a white Ford utility fitted with a metal canopy fitted on the back. This was about a 1956 model, and was used for conveying prisoners from Katherine to Darwin and for road patrols down the track. No air-conditioning then and it must have been extremely uncomfortable for the prisoners we conveyed in the back of that vehicle.

Landrovers were the standard for all four-wheel drive work and all bush stations. We thought they were bloody wonderful until Mr. Toyota arrived. In Traffic Section there were five "BSA" Motorcycles and an early 1950's model "FJ" Holden utility with a massive siren mounted on the left-hand front mudguard.

Using Ford utilities as patrol vehicles was probably not the best idea. However we had no choice. Locking up a fighter or cranky drunk and conveying him to the station in the back of the open utility was not really a lot of fun. It wasn't too bad if you were the driver but not real flash if you were in the back at times struggling with the prisoner/s. In those days transport was provided for each shift going and coming from duty. This meant we were conveyed to and from work in the old Ford utilities. Seniority decided who would sit in the front. On occasions we had blokes who were involved in minor prangs and they were banned from driving. Being banned from driving lasted only until the first emergency that arose, when the banned driver was the only Constable available to attend. The ban was then very quickly lifted.

The Ford "v8" utilities had their distributor located at the bottom of the motor so that if you patrolled McMillans Road, which was then dirt, in the Wet Season you had a fair chance of getting water in the distributor and running out of power. Nice if you were "one out" as we always were on midnight shift. One out and without any form of communication somehow you had to get back to the station. Some of the local taxi drivers were very helpful in those circumstances.

ANDY

--ooOoo---

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A HERO FROM OUR PAST

1960 - DARWIN - GALLANTRY - LYAL DONALD BURGESS -BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

Following an altercation between a number of men at a guest house in the centre of Darwin, two men involved reported the matter to Constable Don Burgess, who was the lone officer on duty at the station.

Another man came to the station and reported that a solidly built man with blood streaming down his face was carrying a rifle and walking towards the Police Station.

Constable Burgess walked out towards the man carrying the rifle who by this time was pointing the rifle at the Constable’s chest. Constable Burgess engaged the man in conversation and asked him to hand the rifle over.

The man attempted to look around the Constable towards the two men in the Police Station, and then pointed the rifle in their direction.

The Constable jumped forward and a struggle ensued. The rifle discharged and Constable Burgess disarmed the offender.

At that stage Constable McKew arrived on a motor bike and came to Constable Burgess’s assistance.

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WAIT! WAIT! THERE’S MORE

After Quasimodo's death, the bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame sent word through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was needed.

The bishop decided that he would conduct the interviews personally and went up into the belfry to begin the screening process. After observing several applicants demonstrate their skills, he had decided to call it a day. Just then, an armless man approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer's job. The bishop was incredulous. You have no arms!"

No matter," said the man. "Observe!"

And he began striking the bells with his face, producing a beautiful melody on the carillon. The bishop listened in astonishment; convinced he had finally found a replacement for Quasimodo.

But suddenly, as he rushed forward to strike the bell GAIN, the armless man tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death in the street below. The stunned bishop rushed down two hundred and ninety five church steps, when he reached the street, a crowd had gathered around the fallen figure, drawn by the beautiful music they had heard only moment before.

As they silently parted to let the bishop through, one of them asked, "Bishop, who was this man?"

"I don't know his name," the bishop sadly replied, ...... BUT HIS FACE RINGS A BELL"

WAIT! WAIT! There's more.

The following day, despite the sadness that weighed heavily on his heart due to the unfortunate death of the armless campanologist, the bishop continued his interviews for the bell ringer of Notre Dame.

The first man to approach him said, "Your Excellency, I am the brother of the poor armless wretch that fell to his death from this very belfry yesterday. 1 pray that you honour his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty."

The bishop agreed to give the man an audition, and, as the armless man's brother stooped to pick up a mallet to strike the first bell, he groaned, clutched at his chest, twirled around, and died on the spot.

Two monks, hearing the bishop's cries of grief at this second tragedy, rushed up the stairs to his side.

What has happened? Who is this man?" the first monk asked breathlessly. "I don't know his name," sighed the distraught bishop, "but..."'

HE'S A DEAD RINGER FOR HIS BROTHER."

---ooOoo---

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