SUBSTANTIAL LEGACY

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3678, 23 March 1932, Page 7

SUBSTANTIAL LEGACY

FRIENDSHIP IX WAR-TIME NEW GUINEA GOLD STORY The story of a tirm friendship which began on the dusty road to the BroaeVneadows camp one day early in the war and lasted ever since, is behind the announcement of the will of Mr. C. J. Levien, of Elwood. in Victoria. Mr. Levien, who was one of the pioneers of the goldmining industry in New Guinea, directed that twothird of his estate should go to Mr. C. V. T. Wills, an Adelaide accountant, after Mrs. Levieirs death. The estate in Victoria lias been sworn at £13,130. There are also assets in other States. 441011 a farmer and an odd-job man, Mr. Levien met Mr. Wells first when Oiey marched together into Broad meadows. They served together. 44 IE STORY ‘‘After (lie war Mr. Levien accepted a position in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea as district -oilii cor for three years. lie patrolled unexplored cannibal country and maintained law anil order,” saiil Mr Wells recently when telling the story , T their friendship. “In 1020 1 received a cable from Mr. Levien whic h indicated the discovery of rich alluvial gold deposits at Eilie Creek. M.. Lcvien’s message was abrupt and simply instructed mo to get busy. Some friends introduced me to a group, of well-known men in Adelaide. who took the matter up with enthusiasm, with the result that the New Guinea syndicate was formed. Later. 'Air. Levien sent in his resignation as a Government officer, and returned to Australia to recuperate his health. lie returned to New Guinea to take lip prospecting on his own account. I was requested to look after the financial affairs in Australia during his absence in New Guinea and from that day to this I hayo acted as his attorney in all his financial transactions.” When Mr. Levien was stricken liy his last illness Air. Wells raced to Melbourne* to see his friends. He was at his bedside when lie died on .January 20. Mr. Wells is now on his way to New Guinea on a two n^i^iskrvisilrtofinspection