Leslie Francis Edward Minster

Birth Reg 12087 Marriage Reg 9449R Divorced 12 February 1935 Marriage Reg 13548 Death Reg 13690 [NSW]

Edward Francis Leslie MINSTER born 13th Apr 1891 Creswick son of William MINSTER and Mary Ann PAULL [Vic 12087]

24 May 1909 Ballarat Star CASUALTIES AND FATALITIES. AT THE HOSPITAL. The following cases were treated at the Hospital on Saturday:—Leslie Minster, aged 18, of Steinsfield street, sprained. ankle, caused by a fall; Jack Chan aged four, residing in Main road, cut lip, caused by a fall.

5 Nov 1909, at the age of 18, Edward Minster [electrician] was admitted to Ballarat Hospital EMERGENCY - living in Steinsfield Street, Ballarat at the time.

13 June 1911 ALLEGED LIBEL iT WHAT IS A FAIR REPORT ? In the County Court yesterday, before acting Judge Neighbour and a special jury of six, William Arnold Minster, of Mary street, Richmond, clerk, proceeded against Geo. Silvester Baxter and R. W. Baxter and Co., printers and publishers of the Ballarat Star" newspaper, for £1500 for alleged libel, said to be contained, in the issues of 4th and 5th January last of that newspaper, and relating to a disturbance that took, place in Swanston Street, when a constable and the manager of a café were injured.

Mr Lazarus appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Wasley .(instructed by Messrs. Cuthbert, Morrow and Must) appeared for defendants. Plaintiff seeks to obtain £1500, on the grounds that reports of certain court proceedings in which he was concerned were not full, fair and accurate statements of facts. The formal defence was a denial of publication, and, alternatively, justification and a claim that the -words were not defamatory, but that the reports were fair comment on matters of public interest.

Counsel for claimant said that Minster held, the position of a clerk in a stock and station agents office, and was well known in Ballarat musical circles, where the paper circulated.

Leslie Minster, electrical engineer at Ballarat, and brother to the claimant, proved publication of the offending paragraphs, which, he said, appeared under the head A Violent Prisoner," "Known in Ballarat, The Result of Drunkenness." Mr. Lazarus: There was another paragraph headed "The Benefit of the Doubt? His Honor objected to the question, as it related to a subsequent matter. In reply to Mr. Wasley, witness said that he did not know how manv times his father had gone to an hotel after midnight for the plaintiff. He could not say how many legs plaintiff had broken last year, and knew nothing of his breaking the leg of a Mr. Bruce. Mr. Lazarus intimated that he would not at that stage call further evidence. Mr. Wasley, in opening the ease for the defendants, said that the paragraphs had been sent from Melbourne. They related to a "disgraceful episode" which occurred on 3rd January, when the claimant and an other young man, after visiting various hotels, went to the Cafe Canton under the influence of liquor. Some horse play followed; a glass was thrown, Lim Kee, one of the proprietors, was punched in the face, a girl was upset and fainted and the Chinese gave the claimant in charge. Minster, however, refused to continue to go quietly, he prided himself on being a master of the art of Japanese wrestling. The constable went down in the trouble, and his arm was dislocated. He was assisted by another constable and an ex-policeman. The claimant bit and kicked the arresting constable. Evidence was called in support of the defendants' case. In the course of the hearing Mr. Lazarus mentioned to a witness that on appeal to the Court of General Sessions the conviction against the claimant was quashed. Mr. Wasley objected to the statement as grossly improper. They were considering happenings recorded previous to that, and contending justification for the report. His Honor: This is practically a new trial in itself, and we have no concern with what happened at the Court of General Sessions. Mr. Wasley: Further than that new evidence will be adduced which will make a material difference. The court adjourned till 10.30 a.m. today.

The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Friday 16 June 1911 BALLARAT LIBEL CASE. A 'CONTEMPTUOUS' VERDICT. AN INTERESTING CASE. BALLARAT.- Thursday.— In the case of Minster versus 'Ballarat Star', being a claim for £1,500 damages for alleged libel, the jury awarded the plaintiff a farthing damages. The question of costs is to be settled later. The action was commenced in the County Court on Monday, before Acting Judge Neighbor and a special jury of six. William Arnold Minster, of Richmond, clerk, sought to recover from George Silverton Barter and R. W. Baxter and Co., proprietors of the Ballarat 'Star' newspaper, the sum of £1500 as damages for alleged libels. The alleged libels were contained in two issues of the newspaper, and related to certain events which took place at the Cafe Canton in Swanston street in January in which the plaintiff was concerned, and certain proceedings in the police court to which the plaintiff was also a party. It was alleged by the plaintiff that the paragraphs complained of did not contain a full, fair, and accurate report of the proceedings. The defendants urged that the words used were not defamatory, but were fair; comment upon a matter of public interest, that they were justified, and were; true in substance and in fact, Leslie Minster, electrical engineer, and brother of the plaintiff, gave evidence as to the publication of the alleged libels, and that the plaintiff was a clerk in a stock and station agent's office, and a well-known musical performer. Witness stated that the reports complained of were headed, 'Violent Prisoner,' 'Known in Ballarat,' 'Result of Drunkenness.' To Mr. Wasley.— Witness stated that he could not say how many times the plaintiff's father had taken plaintiff home from hotels, nor could he say how many times plaintiff had broken his leg last year. Witness admitted that his brother had been fined several times for assault. In opening the case for the defence, Mr. Wasley said that the news had come from Melbourne, and was the outcome of a disgraceful episode, in which the plaintiff and another young man were concerned. After visits to sundry hotels, the pair had arrived at the Cafe Canton, in Swanston street, and by that time were under the influence of liquor. A disturbance was created, in the course of which Lim Kee, the manager of the place, was worsted, and a girl fainted. The police were called, and plaintiff was given in charge. Plaintiff, however, refused to go quietly when placed under arrest. Plaintiff fancied himself as an exponent of jiu jitsu, the Japanese art of self-defence, and succeeded in throwing the arresting officer, and dislocating his arm. The plaintiff was afterwards taken in custody. Constable McLiney gave evidence as to the circumstances of the plaintiff's arrest. Witness stated that the injury to his arm had laid him up for some weeks.

18 November 1912 CASUALTIES & FATALITES AT THE HOSPITAL. The following cases were treated at the Hospital during Saturday and yesterday: Leslie Minster, of Richmond cut finger caused while attending to a chaff-cutter,

1 February 1913 Prahran Telegraph Engagements and Weddings. An engagement is announced between Mr. Leslie E. Minster, second son of Mr. and Mrs. William Minster, of 'Quamby,' Lyndhurst Street, East Richmond (late of Ballarat), and Miss Grace E. Hope, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hope, of 'Alpha,' Long street, Elsternwick (late of Port Melbourne).

Edward Francis Leslie MINSTER married 8th Nov 1913 Grace Elizabeth Jean HOPE [9449R, MINSTER 9449] (Div)

MINSTER—HOPE.— On the 8th November, at the Methodist Church, Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, by the Rev. J. Nall, Edward Francis Leslie, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Minster, of "Quamby" Sandringham, to Grace Jean, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. L. Hope, of "Stockholm," St, Kilda.

Grace Elizabeth Jenny HOPE b 1887 Melbourne daughter of William Lockhart HOPE and Emma Sophia ANDERSON [Vic 30989]

12 August 1914 NAVAL RESERVES. CHANCE FOR SERVICE. Naval reserve men who want to see service will have a chance of joining the Australian Expeditionary Force. Captain Brownlow, the District Naval Officer, intimates that time-expired Royal Navy seamen and seamen belonging to the Naval Reserves of Great Britain and Australia should report to him at once at Edgecliffe if they wish to be considered.

Les was part of the Naval crew on board HMAS Warrego which was sent to Bita Paka in August 1914 to capture the German radio station.
The task force reached Rabaul on 11 September, where they found the port to be free of German forces.
Sydney and the destroyer HMAS Warrego landed small parties of naval reservists at the settlements of Kabakaul and at Herbertshöhe.
These parties were reinforced firstly by sailors from Warrego and later by infantry from Berrima.
Two parties were subsequently landed, one under Sub-Lieutenant C. Webber and the other commanded by Lieutenant Commander J.F. Finlayson. In accordance with German plans, the Australians encountered no opposition at Herbertshöhe, with the German company stationed there having withdrawn to Takubar—between Herbertshöhe and Kabakaul—in the early morning. At 07:00, the Australians raised the Union Jack over the settlement.
The Australians believed there were probably two radio stations, one under construction 4 miles (6.4 km) directly inland from Herbertshöhe and the other directly inland from Kabakaul, at Bita Paka.
Finlayson remained at Herbertshöhe to guard the stores being landed from Sydney, while Webber's party began an advance from Herbertshöhe inland along the Toma road.
Another party under Lieutenant Rowland Bowen would advance towards Bita Paka, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) to the south.
Bowen's force, consisting of two officers and 25 naval reservists was subsequently landed at Kabakaul.
Also included were about 15 other personnel to provide medical support and maintain communications.

20 October 1914 Wireless Engineer's Story Wireless-Engineer Bonner, who resides at Petersham, was with the party who attacked the wireless station. at Bita Paka behind Herbertshohe;
He joined the force in rather extraordinary circumstances.
Twenty minutes before midnight on 2 August he was asked to volunteer, as an operator.
He was in bed at home at the time, but in a very few minutes he was being whisked away in a motorcar which was waiting for him.
He joined a ship at Melbourne two days later and immediately started for New Guinea. On September 13 he was asked to land with the troops to the wireless station.
They were taken ashore at Herbertshohe at 5.45 a.m.
On the pier were many niggers who looked very formidable with their knives nearly two feet long.
These natives professed ignorance of the existence of a wireless station, but eventually a Chinaman and three natives were secured as guides. The advance men with Lieutenant Bowen, then started out.
The information was that the station was four miles inland, with a 12ft road leading to it.
This road however, was not picked up until 10 a.m.
The men marched in single file on either side of it or rather a little progress would be made along the road and then for a space cover would be taken in the bush.
When about two miles were covered the enemy were sighted in trenches across the road Lieutenant Bowen with drew his scouts, who joined the main party.
They crept slowly along to with in a hundred yards of the trench, when, according to Bonner, they fired the first shot.
Although we had been taking all precautions we had believed there would be no resistance, but all the same the shot did not come exactly as a surprise.
We got into the bush and after about an hour some of the enemy suddenly appeared on our right flank.
They were natives, and we shot them down. Immediately afterwards two Germans an across the road.
One was shot in the hand and it was so mutilated that Dr. Pockey immediately cut it off.
The German smoked a cigar and did not wince at all. As he was shot or rather, just afterwards, four other Germans surrendered.
In the meantime natives on our right and left continued to fire, and we fired back, although we rarely saw anything to aim at.
The prisoners were sent back under escort.
I think a naval man named Palmer was responsible more than anyone for the surrender of the Germans.
He was a cool cuss, if ever there was one.
He did not take cover in the bush but flattened out on the road behind a big stone. He picked off natives; without wasting a shot, and then , with great deliberation, shot the German in the hand when he had a bead on one of our fellows.
About 15 of us had now been flighting about, two hours and a half and later on we were reinforced by 50 men.
SHOTS POURED IN. We then advanced on the enemy's second entrenchment going through the bush all the while our clothes and flesh were badly torn.
The niggers who had escaped from the first entrenchment were pouring shots into us from both flanks and Bowen fell.
A little later Dr. Pockley was killed.
Just prior to this he told me to keep undercover yet he scorned to take it himself.
A few minutes after this Lieutenant-Commander Elwell - took charge, but was shot when advancing along the road. We continued our advance under Lieutenant Bond and then one of the R.N .R. lads was killed, and then an other Sailor.
But the fighting continued and we reached the last entrenchment at 5.30 p.m.
When the niggers were being, taken out of one of the entrenchments firing started from the trees.
This set the niggers into a stampede.
Then firing started from all directions.
I didn't know which way to duck for cover. I finally dipped into the nearest bush. Then I found that the escaping niggers had gone that way too with our chaps blazing away at them for all were worth . I got down flat on my stomach to wait for the fire to die down but a bluejacket who stood up was hit, I expect by one of the niggers in the trees. He bled to death in a few minutes. After a while when the fire had died down enough to hear yourself speak, I yelled out, 'Don't shoot, I'm sparker' When the stampede occurred a German officer Mr. Ritter ran too and he fell dead, shot through the stomach.
Later Captain Travis and Lieutenant Bond, went up to the wireless station; and afterwards some more of us went up too.
This was about 1.30 a.m.
We had been on the move 20 hours, and we were dead tired, hungry and thirsty. "We slept inside, the station with about 20 prisoners over our heads.
At 6.30 a.m. I had to search for the wireless operators. I came across the engineer, and, pointing a revolver, at him, threatened to shoot him if he did not reveal their identity.
But I think he must have known my bark was worse than my bite for I got no satisfaction out of him. I: found that all the vital parts had been disposed of while the masts and wires had also been pulled down. I destroyed the remainder of the gear. Our tramp of 12 miles back was marked by nothing exciting and glad I was to reach the Berrima that night at 7.30. "The fall of Lieutenant-commander Elwell surprised no one more than Lieutenant Hill.
After Lieutenant Bowen was wounded, Hill was in charge of the advance party. Hill showed resource in his attack.
For a start he discarded his helmet, and when he found that his sword impeded his progress through the thick vegetation he hid that too in a spot where he could recover it again. When Elwell came up with his small party, Hill, who had now no officer's distinguishing mark, told him who he was and also informed him of the enemy's whereabouts. 'What are, you doing? asked Elwell. 'I am working up through - the vegetation on the right side of the road,' replied Hill. All right' said Elwell, 'I will advance on the left. Half an hour later Hill heard that Elwell , was dead, and that instead of carrying out his expressed intention he had led a frontal tack along the road.

1 December 1914 GERMAN NEW GUINEA. WORK OF MILITARY. A good deal of dissatisfaction appears to have been caused among the members of the military force at present garrisoning German New Guinea, as well as among their relations in Sydney and elsewhere, by the cloud which has been allowed to settle upon the actual achievements of the side of the expedition in comparison with those of their naval confreres.
A correspondent voices the indignation caused by the assertion in a Sydney paper that it was the naval forces which captured Simpsonshafen, Herbertshohe, and Rabaul.
The facts of the case are that a force of naval reserves, under Commander Beresford, was landed at Kaba Kaul, together with a machine-gun section under Captain Harcus, to support the 25 naval men landed from one of the warships to locate and capture the wireless station at Bita Paka. Besides the machine-gun section the military were represented on this occasion by the late Captain Pockley and Captain Travers, Intelligence officer on the brigade staff. It was Captain Travers, who, with Lieutenant Bond, R.N.R., and Private Eitel, of the machine-guns, actually captured the wireless station single-handed. Meanwhile a strong military force had been landed at Herbertshohe under Colonel Watson, who, by a rapid march across country, succeeded in establishing communication with Commander Beresford's force.
The occupation of Rabaul, the capture of Toma, the exceedingly heavy work in difficult country subsequent to the surrender of the German troops, and the occupation of Friedrich Wilhelmshafen were all carried out entirely by the military.

3 December 1914 THE NAVAL MEN'S CHRISTMAS AN APPEAL. His Worship the Mayor, as chairman of' the mayor's patriotic fund, recently received a letter from Lieutenant Bond, in command ol No. 6 Company Naval Forces (South Australian men) at Herbertshohe, New Guinea, suggesting that a Christmas gift to the South Australian men who were so prominent in connection with the capture of New Guinea, would be very acceptable. Similar gifts had been forwarded to the Victorian, New South Wales, and Queensland men through the patriotic funds in their respective States, and the lieutenant thought that the men would appreciate being remembered in this manner. It was resolved to comply with the request, and a consignment of South Australian goods has been forwarded so as to reach the men in time for Christmas. The notice was very short and the matter had to be acted upon immediately in order that the Christmas box should arrive in time. The following is lieutenant Bond's letter:— Herbertshohe, October 26, 1914. To his Worship the Mayor—I take the liberty of addressing you on the following matter. Although I am generally located in Brisbane, I have the honor of commanding No. 6 Company of the Naval Forces, which is composed entirely of South Australians. This company has had the fortune of doing the principal part in taking this possession. The following were the casualties:—Henry Street (seaman), killed in action; J. Tonks (seaman), wounded in action; T. Sullivan (seaman), wounded in action. This company killed 40 odd of the enemy, captured about 100 prisoners, and also captured the wireless station, Bita Paka. They were complimented by Admiral Patey for the splendid work done by them by special signal from the fleet. Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland have each sent up presents to their respective forces, but the men of the companies concerned, at their own request, have very generously asked Captain Beresford, R.A.N., officer commanding naval forces, to distribute the gifts equally among the whole naval force. This has been done in each instance, and has been thoroughly appreciated. I respectfully suggest that you get contributions in Adelaide and send to the South Australian contingent, so that they may reciprocate with the other companies. It would arrive here about Christmas. The most acceptable presents are cakes, puddings, cigarettes, tobacco, magazines, cricketing materials, station ery, &c. If you acquiesce in this I will be greatly obliged if you will kindly draw on the London Bank of Australasia, Brisbane, for two guineas on my account as my contribution towards the proposition. Trusting that you will forgive me for making this suggestion, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. A. BOND, Lieutenant, R.A.N.R., Commanding No. 6 Company, Naval Forces

The firefight at the Bita Paka radio station outside Rabaul on 11 September 1914 was Australia’s first significant military engagement of the Great War. In terms of human losses it was a modest event with 6 Australians, 1 German and 30 German New Guineans killed and 4 Australians and 11 German New Guineans wounded. But the strategic consequences of the Australian victory were enormous. Knocking out a nodal point in the German military radio network in the Pacific was a vital primary objective. But above and beyond that, all of German New Guinea came under Australian control. At one stroke the Australian border was effectively pushed up to the equator, the German threat was removed from the region, and a million souls added to the British Empire. It was a nasty little encounter. A small Australian naval party of 25 men, an officer and a military doctor landed in Blanche Bay and pushed inland about eight kilometres along the dusty road to Bita Paka, with almost impenetrable jungle hemming them in on either side. Able Seaman Billy Williams, a 29-year-old electricity works employee from Northcote in Melbourne became the first Australian serviceman killed in action in the Great War when he was hit in the stomach by a treetop sniper’s bullet. The doctor, 24-year-old Captain Brian Pockley AAMC from Wahroonga in Sydney, was killed by another bullet as he tried to assist the wounded, having selflessly given away his Red Cross brassard to his orderly. Eventually reinforcements arrived and, after a suicidal and initially unsuccessful rush by the Australians at a German trench that barred the road, the German officer in charge of its 20 New Guinean defenders conceded defeat. Two more defended trenches stood between the Australians and the radio station. Using the captured German officer as interlocutor, Lieutenant Thomas Bond RANR from Brisbane, now with some 30 men and a heavy machine gun section, parleyed surrender terms with the remaining Germans. There was one edgy moment when four German officers with holstered pistols appeared on the brink of offering resistance. Bond, however, rushed up and swiftly disarmed them, thus winning the first Australian decoration of the war, a DSO. So, in one day’s fighting, did all of German New Guinea fall into Australian hands. This was the sharp end of the encounter; but strategically speaking much more was going on. The German heavy cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were thought to be in Rabaul. Hence the RAN sent a major naval force to oppose them, consisting of the battlecruiser Australia, cruiser Sydney, three destroyers, the armed troopship Berrima, and two submarines. Colonel William Holmes, a citizen soldier and Boer War veteran who was secretary of the Sydney Water Board in private life, had over 1000 men under his command in the grandly named Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. Rear Admiral George Patey RN commanded the fleet and was the ranking officer. With all of this firepower at their disposal, and the two German cruisers nowhere to be seen, the Australian force far outnumbered and outgunned the German garrison and strategic success was assured.

There are, however, some curious elements to the affair.
Why was a lightly-armed naval party deployed initially and the decisive firepower of the machine gunners held back?
Meade does not say so, but it is likely that Patey persuaded Holmes to let the navy have first crack.
This was a tactical mistake and may have cost lives.
Or was it that the advance party exceeded its orders?
Some other matters should be noted.
However worthy his justification in terms of protecting his own men, Lieutenant Rowland Bowen RAN undoubtedly breached the Geneva convention when he forced a German POW to walk down the road ahead of the Australian party and towards the German trench, though Meade argues otherwise.
Also, the Germans planted two big mines under the road that the Australians blithely walked over.
Had not the German officer in charge been absent ill with malaria, the mines almost certainly would have been set off by the New Guineans who manned the plungers and many more Australians killed.
And then there is the unexplained mystery of the disappearance off Rabaul with all hands of the Australian submarine AE1 three days after the fighting.
A month later some renegade Germans on New Ireland flogged a British Methodist missionary as a spy and were later flogged themselves at Holmes’s orders.
Finally, there is the strange case of the German Captain Hermann Detzner who eluded captivity in the Saruwaged Mountains of the Huon Peninsula on mainland New Guinea until after 11 November 1918, literally keeping the Kaiser’s flag flying in a string of remote villages.
Queensland journalist Kevin Meade has written a spirited and very readable account of the exploits of these almost forgotten heroes recently memorialised with plaques at the Bita Paka cemetery and outside Northcote RSL club.
For many years, as Meade readily acknowledges, a small ceremony has taken place each anniversary at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. The last survivor of the Bita Paka firefight, Bill Gothard, died in 1992.

CARL BRIDGE King’s College London

25 January 1915 IN AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN TROOPS RETURN FROM RABAUL. COLONEL HOLMES INTERVIEWED.
"Yes; I am very glad to see Sydney again." said Colonel Holmes when interviewed on board the Eastern by a Sydney reporter.
The Eastern arrived from Rabaul at Sydney on January 16, and berthed at the E. and A. Wharf, Circular Quay, after a triumphant progress up the harbor. Colonel Holmes was besieged by naval and military officers from the first, and received a magnificent reception when he stepped on to the wharf. Colonel Holmes was sent for and offerred the command of the Expeditionary Force on August 11 last.
The force consisted of brigade staff, a complete naval unit of six companies (500 men), a battalion of infantry (1050 men), two machine gun sections (four guns), a signalling section, and a detachment of Army Medical Corps. Recruiting commenced on August 12.
Men were sworn in, organised into companies, clothed, armed, equipped, and the troops were ready as a complete and effective fighting unit six days afterwards, when they embarked on the troopship Berrima.
The following day (August 19) they sailed from Sydney Harbor. This is said to be the quickest piece of work of its kind on record.
The object of the expedition was to destroy German wireless stations, and seize and occupy German possessions in the Pacific Ocean. Considerable military opposition was met with in the attack on the wireless station at Bita Paka, in New Britain, which, however, was successfully taken, with a loss of six killed, and the same number wounded. On September 21 the whole of the German troops in the field surrendered to Colonel Holmes at Herbertshohe.
The surrender also carried with it the transfer of the administration of the whole of the German possessions comprised within the colony of German New Guinea, including Kaiser Wilhelmsland, the Bismarck Archipelago the Pelew, Marianne or Ladrones, Caroline and Marshall Groups, and Bougainville, and the Admiralty Islands.
Colonel Holmes was appointed Administrator, and succeeded the German Governor (Dr Haber), whom he deported to Australia, along with all other German officials.
The expedition was therefore, completely successful, and carried out its mission with infinitesimal loss of life.
The members of the force were enlisted for a period of six months' service which has now almost expired, and the first instalment has returned to Australia by the steamer Eastern, having been relieved by troops of a new tropical force.
The balance of Colonel Holmes's force will follow shortly.
Colonel Holmes has been succeeded as Administrator by Colonel Petebridge Secretary of Defence, and, at his own request, has returned with a view to proceeding to Europe for further military service with future contingents from the Commonwealth.
On being questioned on arrival, Colonel Holmes expressed himself as much impressed with the value of the islands, the wealth of which consists solely of the cocoanut. Most of the plantations are only in their infancy and although their present value is great, it will be enormous in say, 10 years' time, when the palms already planted are in full swing.
Only the fringe of the islands has yet been dealt with, and little indeed is known of the interior which is inhabited by savages who still practice cannibalism. It is absolutely unsafe for small parties to proceed beyond a few miles from the coast in any of the islands, and all parties must be well armed. A great deal has been done by the German Imperial Government in the settled parts of the coast.
Rabaul, Herbertshohe, in New Ireland, Friedrich Wilhelmshafen in Kaiser Wilhelmsland, are well laid out, and large sums of money have been spent in developing same. The residences of officials are particularly fine, and built most suitably for the tropics, with large, wide verandahs--such a type as could be well copied for Australian residences in the back blocks, and even on the coast.
During the dry season, residence at these places for white men is just about tolerable, but in the wet season, which begins about Christmas and extends to April, it is quite out of the question.
The wet season breeds mosquitoes and all manner of creeping and crawling and flying creatures, which bring in their train dysentry, dengue fever, and the much dreaded malaria, necessitating large doses of horrible quinine and other filthy mixtures.
It is not a white man's country, and certainly is no place for white women; all those I saw who had been long in residence, were thin, anaemic, and washed out, without any of the freshness of the lovely Australian girl, whose society we all longed for so much during our exile, said Colonel Holmes to the "Journal" reporter.
The men of the Expeditionary Force were simply splendid, he said; the way they bucked down to the monotonous round of harassing garrison duty (the most unpleasant of a soldier's work) in a black man's country, in the tropics, was wonderful, and clearly showed they were prepared to "play the game" for the Empire, no matter where their services were required.
I only hope, if I am entrusted by the Commonwealth Government with a further command that I shall be privileged to take the same officers, non-commissioned officers, and men with me.

8 April 1916
DARING AUSTRALIANS. ONE CAPTURED 28 GERMANS IN PAPUA ANOTHER RESCUED AN OFFICER FROM GAS AT ANZAC. The appointment of the following officer to the Distinguished Service Order has been gazetted in recognition of his services during the operations against the German possessions in the Western Pacific in 1914: —Lieutenant Thomas Arthur Bond, R.A.N.R. On 11th September, 1914, during the attack on the wireless station, Bita Paka, German New Guinea, Lieutenant Bond displayed conspicuous ability and coolness under fire in leading his men through most difficult country and enforcing the terms of surrender, whilst drawing off an attack by another body of the enemy.
He showed great daring, when accompanied by only one officer and one man, in suddenly disarming eight Germans in the presence of 20 German native troops drawn up under arms, all of whom were then marched off and held prisoner.
Later he personally captured five armed natives.

21 November 1918
WIRELESS IN THE PACIFIC STORY OF CAPTURE RELATED BITA PAKA STATION DESCRIBED
Immediately before the beginning of the war there were three German high-power stations in operation in the Pacific, namely, Yap, Nauru and Samoa.
A fourth station of similar size had been begun at Bita Paka, situated close to Rabaul, the capital of the German South Sea possessions.
The station at Yap was totally destroyed by H.M.S. Hampshire early in the war, Nauru and Samoa were put out of action by the Australian Fleet, Samoa being eventually put into operation by the New Zealand Government.
In New Britain, tho active military operations made by the Germans were for the most part confined to the defence of the road leading to Bita Paka from the seaport near Rabaul, known as Kaba Kaul.
This road leads through dense jungle, and was well trenched and protected by mines, consisting of tubular sections of the wireless masts filled with dynamite.
The mines were intended to be fired electrically, but owing to short circuits in the wiring they failed to explode.
They were subsequently destroyed by the medium of counter charges placed by men of the Naval Reserve stationed at Herbertshohe.
When the late Brigadier-General Sir Samuel (then Colonel) Pethebridge left Sydney by the s.s. Eastern on November 24, 1914, on a tour of inspection Mr Donald Macdonald, an electrical engineer in the Postmaster-General's Department, accompanied him with a small wireless erectional gang for the purpose of making an examination of the German stations, and erecting some additional temporary stations necessary In connection with the conduct of military operations.
Owing to the transfer of the islands north of the Equator to tho Japanese Government until the termination of the war, the general programme was altered, but stations have been erected at Rabaul, Fredrich Wilhelmshafen (Madang), Kieta and Kaewieng.
The Nauru station was overhauled and put into operation by the Eastern party early in January 1915 and the Bita Paka station was also completed in 1915.
The original layout at Bita Paka, as arranged for by the German Company making the installation, provided for the erection of a number of steel lattice masts of tubular construction similar in many respects to those; that are installed at the Australian stations at Perth and Sydney.
The smallest of these was hurriedly erected on the outbreak of war and a temporary aerial arranged between it and an iron derrick mast that was intended to be used for the erection of the larger masts.
On the day the fighting on the Bita Paka road took place both of these masts were destroyed.
When the work of reconstruction was begun, one of the greatest difficulties the wireless staff had to contend with was the location and recollection of various component parts of masts and plant most of which had been scattered about over a radius of several miles or buried in the ground.
The greater portion was collected.
Unlike the masts at Sydney, Perth and Nauru, which were built up by the aid of scaffolding, the Bita Paka masts are fitted together entirely on the ground and raised in a similar manner to the masts in Melbourne and the numerous other Commonwealth stations. The whole of the machinery is of massive construction, and is designed and run at slow speeds, thus minimising the wear and tear and Increasing the reliability under the severe conditions often experienced in the tropics.
The main and associated buildings are constructed of ferro-concrete in a special -manner designed to resist the shocks of earthquakes, while the operators' quarters are being built with a double thickness of fibro cement on a mild steel framework.
The whole station is a fine example of wireless constructional work, and is capable of communicating with Singapore, Honolulu and the other high-power stations in the Pacific.

11 November 1915 The Age.
AUDACIOUS THEFT OF MONEY. BANK NOTES SNATCHED IN STREET. THIEF'S ALLEGED ASSISTANT COMMITTED.
While Leslie Minster was talking to Robt. Brown, his father's motor driver, in Swanston Street at about 11 p.m. on 30th October, and receiving from him the day's takings two men came past, one of whom snatched two £1 notes from Minster's hand ands scattered 13/- in Silver which was held by Brown on the pavement,
Both men ran away, and Minster followed Brown remaining to pick up the scattered silver.
Minster kept his eve on the thief and chased him into Tattersall's-Lane, off Lonsdale-street, where he disappeared up a lane,
He's a flown bird.
He could beat a was afraid to go further by himself told Brown, who had arrived by this time to watch Hughes while he sought a constable. Constable Canny subsequently took the man to the watch house.
Hughes according to the evidence given in the City Court yesterday by Detective Hawkins is a suspected parson and has several prior convictions behind him. Hughes, who maintains his innocence, was committed for trial by the City Court bench on a_charge of aiding and abetting the commission of a felony.
He was defended, by Mr. T. B. Fogarty.
Bail was allowed in one surety of £50.

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) Monday 15 November 1915
THEFT OF MONEY. BANK NOTES SNATCHED IN THE STREET.
THIEF'S ALLEGED ASSISTANT COMMITTED.
When Leslie Minster was talking to Robert Brown, his father's motor driver in Swanston Street, Melbourne, at about 11 p.m. on October 30, and receiving from him the day's takings, two men came past, one of whom snatched two £1 notes from Minster's hand, and scattered 13/- in silver, which was held by Brown on the pavement (says "The Age").
Both men ran away and Minster followed, Brown remaining to pick up the scattered silver.
Minster, kept his eye on the thief, and chased him into Tattersall's lane, off Lonsdale street, where he disappeared up a dark alleyway.
Peter Hughes, who is said to have been the man who accompanied the thief, came up behind Minster in Tattersall's lane, and is alleged to have said to him, "He's a flown bird, he could beat a dozen of your sort."
Minster, who swears that Hughes was the thief's companion, was afraid to go further by himself, but told Brown, who had arrived by that time, to watch Hughes, while he sought a constable. Constable Canny subsequently took the man to the watch house.
Hughes, according to the evidence given in the City Court yesterday by Detective Hawkins, is a suspected person, and has several prior convictions against him. Hughes, who maintains his innocence, was committed for trial by the City Court bench on a charge of aiding and abetting the commission of a felony.
He was defended by Mr.T. B. Fogarty.
Bail was allowed in one surety of £50.

MOTORIST SENT FOR TRIAL ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE little girl killed
Having held an Inquiry- at the Morgue today Into the death of Phyllis Emily Sharp, 5 years, of St. Kilda, who was knocked down by a motor car near the corner of Inkerman and High Streets," St. Kilda, on December 20, Dr. R. H. Cole, the Coroner, committed Edward Francis Minster, the driver of the car, to stand his trial an a charge of manslaughter.
Bail was fixed at £100.
Evidence was given that Phyllis Sharp was with three other children, the eldest of whom was eight years of age.
At High street Phyllis, and her twin sister, ran across the road, hand-in-hand at the rear of a tram that was going north, but had come to a standstill.
Phyllis was struck and knocked down by the right mudguard of a motor travelling south.
"One little girl must have been a stop in front, and she seemed to be cut right out of the other child's hand," said Percy Stynes, who witnessed the accident.
The accident occurred at. 5,40 p.m. and Stynes expressed the opinion that the corner between 4 and 6.30 p.m. was one of the most dangerous In Melbourne.
The speed at which the motor car was travelling was estimated by different witnesses at 15 and 20 miles an hour.
Edward Francis Minster, electrical engineer and licensed motor driver, of Elsternwick, who was driving the car, said that he did hot see the little girl till she ran from behind the tram.
I was not going at more than 10 miles an hour.
When he applied his brakes the car skidded about 15 yards.
The Coroner said that it was clear enough what had happened.
The children were standing at the south west corner of the road waiting for a tram to pass.
The tram passed, and pulled up just beyond the building line.
The child was crossing, and had Just gone beyond the centre of the road when the motor struck her.
He (the Coroner) was not impressed by the evidence of the driver of the car.
The driver had ample opportunity to see the children, and what he was doing he (the Coroner) did not know.
In his (the Coroner's) opinion, the motor was going fully 20 miles an hour, and possibly more, which was reckless driving.
The driver's conduct was such as to render him liable to punishment under the Motor Act, even if he had not struck the child.
Having struck her, he was guilty of manslaughter.

7 January 1916 CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. A LITTLE GIRL'S DEATH. MELBOURNE, January 6
At an inquiry today into the death of Phyllis Emily Sharp, 5 years of age who was knocked down by a motor car at St. Kilda on December 20, the coroner committed Edward Francis Minster, the driver of the car, to stand his trial on a charge of manslaughter.

7 January 1916 The Age Newspaper MOTOR CAR FATALITY. DRIVER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
The Coroner, Dr. Cole, yesterday found Edward Francis Leslie Minster guilty of the manslaughter of Phyllis Emily Sharp, five years, daughter of Daniel Sharp, carpenter, Leslie-street, Elsternwick, at St. Kilda on 20th December, and committed him for trial on that charge.
The little girl with other children had been with her stepmother to St. Kilda heath, and while crossing Inkerman street at the intersection of High-street, during the absence of her guardian who had hurried 'home to get her husband's tea, was knocked down by a motor car driven by Minster, and fatally injured.
Sub Inspector Westcott assisted the Coroner, and Mr. Nolan appeared for Minster.
Alfred Ernest Giles, tram conductor, said he did not see the speed of the motor reduced until after the child had been knocked down. If the driver had swerved to the left he probably would have prevented the fatality.
The motor car was travelling about 20 miles an hour.
Arthur James Hewitt, tram grip man, stated that the car was going at a speed of 15 miles an hour when the accident occurred, and he regarded the speed as dangerous for that part of the road.
Alfred Edward Martin stated that he saw two little boys and two girls going across the tram track.
One girl, deceased, let go the hands of her friend, and ran to the center of the road, hesitated, and was then knocked down by the motor car, a hind wheel passing over her body.
The car was not travelling more than 8 miles an hour, but he did not hear the horn sounded.
Charles Clifford Minster said he was a passenger in the car driven by his brother which ran over the girl.
When the car was at the foot of the hill he saw a tram coming, and then noticed four little children on the road a few yards off the gutter.
One little girl ran to the center of the tram track, and was struck by the right hand side of the motor car.
The brakes were applied, and the car stopped.
The motor horn was blown prior to the accident.
The speed was from 8 to 10 miles an hour; if the car had been going 15 miles it could not have been pulled up in the distance it was.
He could not see the children at first; they seemed to come from behind the tram car.
Edward Francis Leslie Minster stated that he had been a licensed driver for two and a half months.
There was a stationary tram at the corner of Inkerman and High streets, and just after he sounded the horn he saw a little girl run out from behind the tram, and she was knocked down by the car.
The speed was not more than 10 miles an hour.
Directly he saw the child he applied the brakes, but the car skidded about 16 paces.
The Coroner said he was not impressed with the evidence of the driver.
He had ample time to see the children. How he had failed to see them he (the Coroner) did not know.
Dr. Cole believed that the car must have been going 20 miles an hour or more, and that constituted reckless driving.
Bail was fixed at £100.

Bendigo 7th January 1916 CHILD KILLED BY MOTOR CAR. - DRIVER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL MELBOURNE. Thursday
At the Morgue to-day the coroner (Dr. Cole) held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Phyllis Emily Sharp, aged five years , of St. Kilda, who was knocked down by a motor car on December 20.
The occurrence took place at the corner of Inkerman and High Streets, St. Kilda. Evidence was given that deceased was with three other children. Phyllis, with her twin sister, went to run across the road, at the rear of a tram, which had come to a stand still. Phyllis was struck by the right mudguard of a motor car, travelling in the opposite direction.
Various witnesses estimated the, speed of the motor car at eight miles, 15 miles and 20 miles per hour.
Edward Francis Minster, electrical engineer, and licensed motor driver, who was driving the car, gave evidence that he did not see the little girl till she ran from behind the tram. He was not travelling more than 10 miles per hour.
When he applied the brakes the car skidded about 15 yards; The coroner said that he was not impressed by the evidence of Minster. He (the coroner) considered that the driver had ample opportunity to see the children.
He considered the motor car was going fully 20 miles per hour.
The driver's conduct was such as to render him liable to punishment under the Motor Act,, even if he had not struck the child.
Having struck her. he was guilty of manslaughter.
The coroner then committed Edward Francis Minster to stand trial on a charge of manslaughter.

Bail was fixed at £100.

Weekly Times, Saturday 8 January 1916 LITTLE GIRL KILLED, MOTORIST SENT FOR TRIAL
Having held an inquiry at the Morgue on January 5 into the death of Phyllis Emily Sharp five years, of St. Kilda, who was knocked down by a motor car near the corner of Inkerman and High streets, St. Kilda, on December 20, Dr. R. H. Cole, the Coroner, committed Edward Francis Minster, the driver of the car. to stand his trial an a charge of manslaughter. Bail was fixed at £100. Evidence was given that Phyllis Sharp was with three other children, the eldest of whom was eight years of age. At High street Phyllis, and her twin sister, ran across the road, hand-in-hand at the rear of a tram that was going north, but had come to a standstill. Phyllis was struck and knocked down by the right mud-guard of a motor travelling south. "One little girl must have been a step in front, and she seemed to be cut right out of the other child's hand," said Percy Stynes, "who witnessed the accident. The accident occurred at 5.40 p.m., and Stynes expressed the opinion that the corner between 4 and 6.30 p.m. was one of the most dangerous in Melbourne. The speed at which the motor car was travelling was estimated by different witnesses at 5, 15. and 20 miles an hour. Edward Francis Minster, electrical engineer and licensed motor driver, of Elsternwick, who was driving the car, said that he did not see the little girl till she ran from behind the tram. He was not going at more than 10 miles an hour. When he applied his brakes the car skidded about 15 yards. The Coroner said that it was clear enough what had happened. The children were standing at the south-west corner of the read waiting for a tram to pass. The tram passed, and pulled up just beyond the building line. The child was crossing, and had just got beyond the centre of the road when, the motor struck her. He (the Coroner) was not impressed by the evidence of the driver of the car. The driver had ample opportunity to see the children, and what he was doing he (the Coroner) did not know. In his (the Coroner's) opinion, the motor was going fully 20 miles an hour, and possibly more, which was reckless driving, The driver's conduct was such as to render him liable to punishment under the Motor Act, even if he had not struck the child. Having struck her, he was guilty of man-slaughter.

3 March 1916 CHILD RUN OVER MOTOR-CAR DRIVER ACQUITTED MELBOURNE, Thursday.
In the Court of General Sessions today the case was concluded in which Edward Francis Minster, a young man was charged with the manslaughter of Phyllis Sharp aged 5 years at St Kilda on 20 Dec
Minster in his defence stated he has driven his car for years, and sounded the horn on approaching the intersection of Inkerman and High streets.
A tram was going up High street, and just as he passed it Phyllis Sharp ran out and was struck by the car.
He was keeping a sharp look out, and the car was travelling about 10 or 12 miles per hour.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, the foreman remarking that children as young as Phylis Sharp should not be allowed to go unaccompanied.

Edward Francis Leslie MINSTER [Wireless Operator] was initiated into Kent Lodge Number 31 on 22 June 1917
He was passed to the second degree on 21 December 1917 and raised to the sublime degree of a master mason on 23 May 1918.
Issued with Grand Lodge Certificate number 30343
He resigned freemasonry as a Master Mason on 24 November 1921.

German New Guinea
Shortly after war broke out, a special expeditionary force, the AN&MEF, was formed to occupy German possessions in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Holmes was appointed the commander.
Under Holmes command the force sailed from Sydney on the auxiliary cruiser HMAS Berrima on 19 August 1914.
The German governor surrendered to Holmes on 12 September 1914 and the British flag was raised over the town.
Holmes was criticised in Australia for offering extremely lenient terms, but he was under orders to occupy, not annex, German New Guinea.
Holmes became administrator of New Guinea.
He relinquished the post to Colonel Samuel Pethebridge in January 1915 and returned to Australia, where his appointment to the AN&MEF was terminated on 6 February 1915.

IN THE early days of WWI Australia responded decisively to the call of the Commonwealth with the commitment of its new Navy less than a year after it had first arrived in Sydney,
When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914; Australia and the rest of the British Empire was automatically at war.
On August 8, the Australian government created the Australian Naval Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) to capture German New Guinea, which consisted of the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville and the north-east portion of the mainland of New Guinea.
The Australian mission was part of the British government's strategy to capture all Germany's colonies.
The German East Asiatic Squadron controlled the German radio station at Bita Paka and the harbour at Rabaul.
The force sailed from Sydney on the converted liner HMAS Berrima (a civilian ship that was
converted in six days) on August 19, and rendezvoused with HMA Ships Australia, Sydney, Encounter, Parramatta, Warrego, Yarra and the submarines AE1 and AE2 on September 7.
On the morning of September 11, naval reservists came ashore to capture the German radio station at Bita Paka.
They fought their way past German reservists and indigenous police and reached their objective around 7pm. .
One German officer and 30 New Guinean policemen were killed.
On September 12, the ANMEF occupied the colonial capital of Rabaul and the German governor surrendered to the Commander COL William Holmes on September 17, bringing to an end Australia's first combat action.

26 September 1921 RÄBAUL. CONQUEST RETOLD.
The First Scenes. (BY OUR SPECIAL COMISSIONER.) The story of Rabaul---the conquest, and the extension of Australian interest through the military and civil administrations---makes an intensely interesting chapter in our history.
It is impossible for anybody to find his way through the ramifications of the recent, and still working, political agitation in the late German territories, and to understand the meaning of what political feeling at present exists. or of such renewed clamour as is quite likely to arise in the near future, without first making himself familiar with the action of the drama which has been played there ceaselessly for seven years. It is also, perhaps, impossible for any inquirer, however diligent and unbiassed, to arrive at the whole truth in this matter.
It is more than likely that no one man can know it, even from the most thorough examination of witnesses now available.
But a rough outline of the truth is gradually appearing. It is necessary, then, to travel lightly over the ground of the military conquest of the territories in 1914, the state of affairs under the Australian military occupation, and the political situation as bequeathed to the lately installed civil government.
For the rest, for the happy future of the new possessions under Australian rules, prosperity will depend very largely on the capacity of the Melbourne administration to devise a broad and generous policy, and to trust those vested with local authority to execute it.
Australia now administers before the eyes of the world the larger portion of the great New Guinea island and some of the richest of the archipelago groups of the Pacific.
Our national prestige may or may not have been involved in this matter before the war, that is to say in Papua.
It is certainly involved now.
That Australia can produce men able to rise to the occasion can be denied by no one who inspects the Australian Pacific territories today. But it is imperative for the Australian public to recognise that the best efforts of these men may be spoiled by bureaucratic dictation and official restriction of the widest possible publicity concerning their problems and the way they tackle them.
Let the Australian people take heart in the faith that the Commonwealth can find at home here the men it wants, has found some of them. But for the future such men must be trained deliberately, and the new responsibilities have brought in train more than one big problem for this nation. The general outline of operations of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force which seized German New Guinea from the enemy in 1914 is generally known.
The force left Sydney in the transport Berrima on August 18, 1914, and, after ten days' training at Palm Island (off Townsville) en route, the Berrima and escort started for New Britain, met the flagship Australia off Rossel Island, and arrived at Kokopo, near Rabaul, at daylight on September 11.
One landing party was immediately set ashore at Kokopo and another close by at Kabakaul, under orders in each case to march with all haste on the big German wireless station (Bita Paka), known to be situated some miles inland.
Each party met with resistance, and each was reinforced from the Berrima.
The Kabakaul detachment met with some sharp fighting half-way up the bush road to Bita Paka, and here Elwell, Pockley, and Williams were killed.
It captured the wireless station, however, at nightfall.
The Germans dropped the wireless mast (the smaller of the two now standing), and rolled a big fly-wheel from the engine-room down a gully, but otherwise committed no damage to the plant.
On September 12 the force re-embarked, steamed into Rabaul wharf, landed and occupied the town, and next day the proclamation was read out announcing that German New Guinea was henceforth under British occupation.
The German Governor, Herr Haber, did not formally surrender until 10 days later.
Much criticism has been directed against a brave soldier, Colonel (later Major-General) Holmes, on account of the terms of surrender which, it is said, he "allowed the Germans to make," or, as some will put it, "accepted from the German Governor." Such insinuation is untrue and unfair to the memory of a gallant man. The criticism has been revived because it is argued that much of the recent trouble dates back to those terms of surrender under which German clerks and planters and managers were allowed to remain in charge of their businesses and plantations. Some people accept the story that the terms were drawn up for Haber by a certain clever German, still at a recent date in Rabaul. The truth is that Holmes drew up the terms from the British Manual of Military Law, and authority will be found there for everything essential contained in that document. There were still some amusing and exciting events to come. One was the capture of Petershafen, on Witu Island, by the steamer Matunga (the ship afterwards seized by the raider Wolf.) The Matunga was passing near the Witu group from Madang, and happened to have seven soldiers on board her. She steamed into that quaint little harbour (which is in all probability the crater of an ancient volcano), and the few Germans there were waiting on the wharf to surrender. There remained only the process of adminstering the oath of neutrality to them. Nobody on board had a copy of the oath or had ever seen one. A small committee accordingly drew up one of their own making, "as fine an oath, and as watertight, as you could wish to see," said one of them lately. "We put together some noble victorious phrases about his Majesty the King and the Commonwealth of Australia, tacked on a chunk from the back of a bill of lading, and finished up with a real good solid Masonic oath, and made them all swear the concoction. It has bound the few Germans on Witu from that day till they were recently called in for repatriation." Another was the capture of the Komet, the incident over which a Methodist missionary the Rev. Cox, was flogged by the Germans. They believed that he had betrayed the Komet's hiding-place after he had taken an oath of neutrality, and five of them caught him on a visit to New Ireland and gave him thirty lashes. Holmes had them arrested, and after deliberation caused each of the five to be flogged for punishment. Cox s plea of innocence certainly looked fishy at the time, but it became fairly clear afterwards that he was not the man who furnished the information. At any rate, it was somebody else who, without any special command, accompanied the Nusa and her armed party to the Komet's hiding-place, and who subsequently claimed reward for her capture. The Komet, carrying a quick-firing gun, was concealed in a woody bay near Talasea, on the north coast of New Britain. The Nusa. a decrepit-looking tug---she was known to her scratch fighting complement as H.M.S Blowfiy---was armed ("and thereby dam nearly made nearly made unseaworthy interpolated one witness into the telling of the story), with two three-pounder guns and one twelve-pounder; and she plunged out into the Pacific carrying an adventurous party of officers, naval and mlitary. and a force of infantry. The long-current tale has been that they caught the Komet by surprise and found her captain in his pyjamas. A native bosun of the Komet, now on Bougainville Island, tells a different story. He says the Komet's captain sent him up the mast one day to look over the top of the scrub and watch out along man-o'-war. "Bimeby me look him smoke away at sea. Me sing out man-o'-war he come. Mate he call out fetch along musket, tumble up gun. Captain he say no dam good, we no fight him man-o' -war more better we pack 'em bockis. He say this feller torpedo-boat he come we no can. fight him. When he no come up that night, captain he say he come along tomorrow morning first time. Tomorrow morning first time Nusa he come round corner, he make all same he shoot gun. Mate he say again fetch 'em up, musket, tumble up gun. Captain he say again no dam fear, more better we pack 'em bockis. We go pack 'em bockis, and Nusa he come aboard " The pidgin is probably imperfect, but the sentiment is faithful to this native's story, and he ought to know. Anyway, the Komet was brought in a prize to Rabaul, handed over to the Royal Australian Navy, and rechristened the Una. All the Germans cheered that event. They said that the Komet was kept there as their Governor's yacht, and her upkeep (a matter of £15,000 per annum), was a charge on the German settlers. They had frequently asked that she should be borne on the strength of the German navy, but without success. They thanked Australia heartily for relieving them of her.

BITA PAKA.
Where Australians Fell.
RABAUL, Sept. 12.
(BY F.B.)
Here in New Guinea to-day, the 12th of September, is the 20th anniversary of the capture of Rabaul in 1914 by the Australians. Bita Paka was then, as it is now, the chief wireless station in New Guinea, and to that place, some five miles inland, the first detachment marched from the coast at Kabakaul.
En route, about three miles from the station, the first Australians fell, and today, 20 years after, the Administrator, Brigadier General Griffiths, laid the foundation-stone of the memorial to those first Australians killed in the Great War.
In 1914, Bita Paka was nearing completion, and on hearing the news that the Australians were marching to take it, the German officer in charge gave orders to fell the one standing mast and dismantle and destroy the wireless apparatus and power plant.
This was how the Australians found the station on arrival, but soon after they had the station working and maintained communication with Australia, via Woodlark Island.
The original wireless station was a spark transmitter of very high power, which was intended to communicate directly with Germany.

A BUSY CENTRE.
Today Bita Paka is owned and controlled by Amalgamated Wireless (A/asia), Ltd., who have installed modern low-power valve transmitters working on short waves.
Besides maintaining direct communication with Sydney daily, it is the relay station for over fifteen stations spread over the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, the British Solomons, the Caroline Islands, and other Pacific groups, and is considered one of the busiest wireless stations south of the line, having at present a staff of an officer-in-charge, nine telegraphists, and three engineers.
In 1935, it is the intention of Amalgamated Wireless to transfer the station to Rabaul, as Bita Paka, which is 30 miles distant by road, besides being inconvenient to the public, necessitates much and costly transport.
When this change is effected. Bita Paka will, so far as wireless is concerned, then become a memory.

24 April 1924 Minster Bros. Pty., Ltd. — Registered 28.3.24. Authorised capital: £10,000 in £1 shares.
Subscribers for one share each: William Minster and Leslie Minster.
Principal objects: To acquire the business carried on at 459 Bourke Street, Melbourne, and elsewhere, by Leslie Minster, under the style of Minster Bros.

2 May 1924 Prahran Telegraph ANOTHER ELWOOD ROBBERY
Thieves broke into the home of Mr. Leslie Minster, Spray street, Elwood, on Thursday evening, April 24, and stole property valued at £50. Entrance was gained by breaking a window.

2 July 1924 Police Gazette Victoria.—
Stolen,- on the 5th ultimo, from Little Bourke street, Melbourne, the property of Leslie Minster, residing at 554 in that street,—A grey single seater Buick motor car, registered number 43041, engine number 969803, Chassis number 70657, new retread tyres on front wheels, nickel bumpers on front and rear, newly upholstered, glass wind screen cracked; spare tyre at back.

The Argus , Tuesday 21 February 1928
Town Hall Hotel North Melbourne, from Elizabeth Cooley to Leslie E Minster
Edward Leslie Minster was the licensee of the Town Hall Hotel in North Melbourne in 1928.
His Aunt - Mrs Ada Minster is listed as resident of 25 Errol Street, North Melbourne for the 1931 census - being a hotel manageress at the time of her nephew's hotel.

19 June 1929 LICENSING PROSECUTIONS.
North Melbourne Cases. At North Melbourne Court Mr. Baddy, SM, fined Leslie E Minster licensee of Town Hall Hotel, Errol Street was fined £2 on a similar charge and £5 on a charge of having failed to have a bar door closed.

25 June 1929 "The Argus" ALTERATIONS TO HOTEL
Mr. Leslie E. Minster applied to the Licensing Court at its sittings yesterday for approval of plans for alterations to the Town Hall Hotel, Errol Street, North Melbourne.
The alterations are estimated to cost $400.
The Court , which consisted of Messers. H. Barr (chairman), J.Lock and V. Tanner consented to the plans

17 September 1929 The Age AN HOTEL FRACAS.
Sober Man's Effective. Play with Pint Pots: William Smith, fruiterer, 25 years, was charged in North Melbourne court yesterday, with having assaulted John McVeigh damaged a cash register and smashed two beer glasses. Evidence was given that McVeigh and defendant had. an argument in the bar of the Town Hall Hotel, Errol-street. Smith threw a pint pot of beer in McVeigh's face, and brought the pot down on McVeigh's head with such force that the pot was shattered. McVeigh fell to the floor, and Smith kicked him. The licensee, Leslie Minster, intervened, but Smith then snatched another pint pot and flung it at McVeigh. The pot missed its mark, and struck the cash register. Smith was sober;
Defendant : said he threw the beer in McVeigh's face because he resented his remarks, but he did not. strike him with the pot, and he did not kick him.
A glass fell on the floor, and in a scuffle he and the other man fell against the cash register. For the assault Smith was fined £5, and on the charge of wilful damage £2; with £2 13/ compensation. The default was fixed at. two months' imprisonment.

The Herald 29 August 1931
HOTEL AND OTHER LICENCES APPLICATlON FOR TRANSFER OF LICENCE.
I, LESLIE EDWARD MINSTER, the holder of a Victualler's Licence for the Town Hall Motel at Errol Street, North Melbourne, in the Melbourne Licencing Dlstrict and I, GLADYS KNOWLES, of 7 Kendall Street. Went Preston hereby give notice that I will apply to the Licensing Court at Melbourne on Monday, 7th day of September 1931, for the transfer of the license to the sald Gladys Knowles. _ Dated thla 20th day of Augiiit, 1931.
LESLIE. EDWARD MINSTER. GLADYS KNOWLES, MESSRS MclNURNEY & WILLIAMS, 99 Queen St. Melbourne, Solicltors for both patries PERCY HENRY PTY. LTD., Auctioneer, Valuator and Hotel Brokers, 332 Collins Street, Melbourne. Member Hotel Brokers association of Victoria.

17 October 1933 Daily Advertiser Wagga Wagga
PLAINTIFF FAILS TO APPEAR A case set down for hearing was a claim for damages by Leslie Edward Minster against Oliver Oswald Minty. The case was called but there was no appearance of the plaintiff .
A jury comprising Messrs J. Speirs, J. M. Dunn, J.M. McNickle and T. H. Kelsall was empanelled. Mr Monahan appeared for the defendant and applied for a nonsuit, and the application was granted by his Honor.

20 October 1934 BITA PAKA. Where Australians Fell. RABAUL, Sept. 12.
Here in New Guinea to-day, the 12th of September, is the 20th anniversary of the capture of Rabaul in 1914 by the Australians.
Bita Paka was then, as it is now, the chief wireless station in New Guinea, and to that place, some five miles inland, the first detachment marched from the coast at Kabakaul.
En route, about three miles from the station, the first Australians fell, and today, 20 years after, the Administrator, Brigadier-General Griffiths, laid the foundation-stone of the memorial to those first Australians killed in the Great War. In 1914, Bita Paka was nearing completion and on hearing the news that the Australians were marching to take it, the German officer in charge gave orders to fell the one standing mast and dismantle and destroy the wireless apparatus and power plant.
This was how the Australians found the station on arrival, but soon after they had the station working and maintained communication with Australia, via Woodlark Island.
The original wireless station was a spark transmitter of very high power, which was Intended to communicate directly with Germany.
A BUSY CENTRE.
Today Bita Paka is owned and controlled by Amalgamated Wireless (A/asla), Ltd., who have installed modern low-power valve transmitters working on short waves. Besides maintaining direct communication with Sydney daily, it is the relay station for over fifteen stations spread over the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, the British Solomons, the Caroline Islands, and other Pacific groups, and is considered one of the busiest wireless stations south of the line, having at present a staff of an officer-in-charge, nine telegraphists, and three engineers. In 1935, it is the intention of Amalgamated Wireless to transfer the station to Rabaul, as Bita Paka, which is 30 miles distant by road, besides being Inconvenient to the public, necessitates much and costly transport. When this change is effected. Bita Paka will, so far as wireless is concerned, then become a memory.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Thursday 14 February 1935
Divorced 13th February 1935 on the grounds of desertion. Grace Elizabeth Jean Minster aged 46 years of Point Nepean Road Elsternwick from Edward Francis Leslie Minster aged 43 years commercial traveller of Newcastle [NSW] on the ground of desertion
The parties were married at St Kilda on November 8 1913. There is one child

NEWCASTLE RESPONDENT 14 February 1935
Divorce Suit in Victoria Melbourne Wednesday
Mr Justice Gavin Duffy today granted Mrs Grace Elizabeth Jean Minster, 46 of Elsternwick, a decree nisi. for the dissolution of her marriage to Edward Francis Leslie Minster, 40, of Newcastle,: New South Wales, on the ground of desertion. Alimony was fixed at 25/- a week

Grace Elizabeth Jean HEINS d 1947 aged 59 yrs East Melbourne
d/o William Lockhart HOPE/Emma ANDERSON [Vic 10914]
Edward Francis Leslie MINSTER married 2: 1935
Amy Isabel LAVERTY [Vic 13548] Amy Isabella LAVERTY b 1887 Hamilton daughter of Neil McDonald LAVERTY and Amy COLLYER [Vic 11629] Amy Isabella LAVERTY bp Hamilton married 1. 1908 Roy Frederick Gordon EDWARDS bp Melbourne [Vic 2986]

Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery
This beautiful lawn cemetery is 48 kilometres from Rabaul. It is the smallest of the three war cemeteries in Papua New Guinea and is set amidst beautiful gardens and bordered by magnificent shade trees. The cemetery, which is cared for and maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves, Department of Veterans' Affairs, on behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, contains 1139 burials, including 500 marked 'Known to God'.
Each grave is marked with a bronze plaque set on a low concrete pedestal.
An avenue of bronze panelled stone pylons forms the Rabaul Memorial to the Missing with 1224 names of those who died in New Britain and New Ireland, and who have no known grave. This includes 1216 Australians.
A large number of Indian prisoners of war from Malaya and Hong Kong were liberated from the Japanese by the Australian Army during the 1945 campaign in New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville. A total of 619 casualties of the old Indian Army are buried at Bita Paka.
Bita Paka War Cemetery is near the site of the German wireless station captured by the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force on 11 September 1914 during the first Australian action of World War I to seize New Britain. Five Naval personnel who died in the operation at Rabaul are buried here. A standstone memorial, located within the cemetery adjacent to the WW I graves, bears testimony to this event.