Colonial timber cutter member dies, aged 93

 ONE of the oldest colonial timber cutters from Gumine has died, aged 93.

Wai Drikori, nicknamed Palan boi by the colonial Kiaps in Gumine, South Simbu, died on Thursday, July 26 in Kundiawa, Chimbu.

He was selected as a police officer when the first Catholic Missionary was established at Dirima station after the World War II. He was picked by Gumine Patrol Post officers for the then Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary course in Goroka.

But he turned down the offer and instead took up cutting timber for the government, mission organisations in South Simbu, Christian missions (Koge, Mingende) and the government station (Kundiawa).

He is survived his wife Wal, three sons, two daughters, 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  

Bod Drikori described his father as the oldest survivor of World War II leaving behind the legacy of good work done like helping patrol officers, timber cutting  for the government administration and working with different missions to spread the Word of God in all parts of Chimbu.