Finished reading a book titled “Outback Policeman” by Vic Hall.
For those interested in contemporary Australian history worth a squize.
Traces the author’s life from when he migrated to WA after the Great War and then as he joined the NT mounted troopers when he remained until WW2.
Some interesting parallels with PNG.
The mounted police in NT formed part of the Cwth Police, which were forerunners of what was now become the AFP.
Some interesting anecdotes that are too good not to be shared
When commenting on the loyalty of his main tracker Nermaluk.
Quote:
As a sportsman playing the game therefore Nemarluk held his hand,
On more than one occasion, when that unerring physical member might have sent a spear through a perfectly useful member of the “Gallant Twenty Nine” who rode for the “Peace of Our lord, the king- His crown and Dignity” over the length and breath of over half-a- million square miles of wilderness.
Whilst attending a long course in Sydney 1993 quote
At the university under Professor Elkin I was a member of a class of Patrol Officers from PNG.
Quote:
“The patrol officers were men after my own heart, speaking my language.
We studied, larked and generally absorbed some knowledge. I felt I could teach the professor a thing or two and I could also learn from his experience”.
I remember him remarking that many students were unable to understand the aboriginal genealogical tree and in a sense he could not blame them. These simple savages were so subtle in their ways that “ civilized folk” were not quite up them.
Not a few of the PO’s agreed that it might have been a good idea to have left the Papuans to work things out for themselves.
An some advice from his old Scottish Sergeant on the rules of evidence on a forth-coming court case involving cattle duffers
Quote:
I’m telling you, laddie.
It’s a diamond garter to an over-ripe tomarter; the judge will accept the boy’s evidence.
After being told by his superior in Darwin
Quote:
Traffic, Vic it doing exactly what exactly what is pleases. Only a few lousy years before that has not been any traffic and now it was a disgrace to the Mounted.
Clean it up Vic, he said: Don’t spare the horses, donkeys, wheelbarrows, kids perambulators or chainman’s yokes. Hit every head you can see and so more after that
He concluded: And let there be no respect of persons. Pinch me if you think I deserve it”
Armed with carte blanche, old Vic did just that and busted every speeder in Darwin including the Chief magistrate.
Not surprisingly his over enthusiasm then ked to an immediate transfer to Wave Hill.
Summed up
“
Quote:
My work at Wave Hill filled a period during which I conducted a one-man government over forty thousand square miles with only the Lord to help in solving problems, which if told in detail would occupy a whole book.
My stay at Wave Hill police district was to be only of one years duration after which long service leave would perhaps help to adjust the delicate balances of the spirit”
And finally a little bush verse
Quote:
“Oho! For the glory of a horse and its rider
Ho! For the rush of wind in the hair and the rolling thunder of galloping hooves”
Harry
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