EDITED BY KEITH JACKSON

Our passionate Welshman passes on
| From Robert Forster

NORTHUMBRIA, UK – Arthur Williams’ daughter, Phyllis, has told me that Arthur has “finally passed away”.

His nemesis was cancer.

There was a pleasing response from friends of PNG Attitude to the news that Arthur was gravely ill.

Phyllis thanks her father’s former colleagues for the effort they made in writing to him.

And she confirmed the family will add the many stories they received to the memorial book they are putting together.

Phyllis added that if anyone wants to send others they will also be used for the memorial book.

Her email address is [email protected].

Marape untroubled to win no confidence vote

| From Keith Jackson

NOOSA, QLD - It was not much of a vote of no confidence that incumbent prime minister James Marape won the other day.

Opposed candidate, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Peter Ipatas, managed only 16 votes to Marape’s 89.

So the spoiled MPs will again eat well this Easter on the tens of millions of kina that will continue to flow their way.

This is a good opportunity to remind readers of the prime ministers who have governed PNG over the past 50 years since independence:

Sir Michael Somare, East Sepik Province

Sir Julius Chan, New Ireland Province

Paias Wingti, Western Highlands Province

Sir Rabbie Namaliu, East New Britain Province

John Giheno, Eastern Highlands Province

Bill Skate, Port Moresby, National Capital District

Sir Mekere Morauta, Gulf Province

Sir Sam Abal, Enga Province (briefly acting)

Peter O’Neill, Southern Highlands Province

James Marape, Hela Province

Stories of the fabled trusty typewriter

| From Keith Jackson

NOOSA, QLD – Phil Fitzpatrick and I exchange the occasional missive as our pleasure dictates, and most recently this concerned the elemental subject of the writers’ favourite typewriter, or mangle as my mate the author Brian Hungerford would call it.

While studying at ASOPA, the much lamented Australian School of Pacific Administration, I purchased a Hermes’ Baby which followed me around like Mary’s little lamb for the 12 or 14 years.

At that stage of my life it mainly clattered out academic work and scripts and freelance news items for the ABC, Pacific Islands Monthly et al.

Here's my, my, my Corona, never used in anger but some good ol' boys bashed it around before me.

It's a Corona 3 and was manufactured in 1919. Just in time for the Americans to come into the war (that's a joke, right?)

| From Philip Fitzpatrick

TUMBY BAY, SA - I had a trusty Olivetti Dora. It went to ASOPA with me and I remember taking a train to Redfern where I had it “tropic proofed” ready for the move to PNG. 

I think they probably gave its innards a spray with WD40. I typed all my University of Queensland External Studies essays on it and all my journalistic efforts. I dropped it off at an Op shop after buying my first Amstrad computer.

While I was in Queensland I came across another typewriter in pristine condition and bought it for sentimental reasons.

The vinyl case was buggered so I made a wooden one in the same style and colour. It’s now sitting beside my desk. I occasionally take it out and bang out the odd letter.

I didn’t have too much trouble getting ribbons for it because, like the old manual cameras, there are people who still sell them and their accoutrements along with renovated machines. I believe Tom Hanks has got a fine collection.

I didn’t carry a notebook on patrol because we were required to fill out a daily Field Officers Diary (I’ve still got the vinyl folder). I occasionally got comments back after submitting the copies and I think I was chided more than once for my more colourful observations.

I also took the typewriter on the less arduous patrols…..