SUBSTANTIAL LEGACY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 9

SUBSTANTIAL LEGACY.

FRIENDSHIP IN WAR-TIME. NEW GUINEA GOLD STORY. fFROM oca OWN CORRESPONDENT.! SYDNEY, March 8. TIIO story of a firm friendship which began on the dusty load to the Broadmeadows 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, Victoria. Mr. Levien, who was one of the pioneers of the goldmining industry in New Guinea, directed that two-thirds of his estate should go to Mr. C. V. T. Wells, an Adelaide accountant, after Mrs. Levien's death. The estate in Victoria has been sworn at £13,130. There are also assets in other States.

Then a farmer and an odd-job man, Mr. Levien met Mr. Wells first when they marched ' together into Broadmeadows. They served together. • "After the war Mr. Levien accepted, a position in tho Mandated Territory of New Guinea as district officer for three or four years. He patrolled unexplored cannibal country and maintained law and order," said Mr. Wells recently when telling the story of their friendship. "In 1926 I received a cable from Mr. Levien which indicated the discovery of rich alluvial gold deposits at Edie Creek. ,Mr. Levien's message was abrupt, and simply instructed me 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 Mr. Leyien sent in his resignation as a Government officer, and returned to Australia to recuperate his health. He returned to New Guinea to take up prospecting on his own account. I was requested to look after his financial affairs in Australia during his absence in New Guinea, and from that day to this I have acted as his attorney in .ill his financial transactions."

When Mr. Levi en was stricken by his last illness Mr. Wells raced to Melbourne to see his Ho was at his bedside when he died on January 20. Mr. Wells is now on his way to New Guinea on a two months' visit of inspection.