A New Zealand Forest Ranger in the Jungles of Papua New Guinea

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction 6
New Guinea, Here I Come! 9
Into the Jungle 17
The Art of Blowing Things Up 24
Finding my Feet 32
Trouble at the Pine Lodge Hotel 39
Fireworks at Wau 44
Cannibals! 48
Killers in Bark Capes 53
Bush Boss 58
White Man's Magic 63
The Dreaded Death Adder 68
A Fine, Upstanding Citizen 73
The Tangimoana 80
Crocodile Hunting 91
Adventure on the Open Sea 95
The Ancient Mystery of the Segaya Rock Paintings 101
The Mission of Getting to the Mission 108
Arse grass and pig grease 113
The Laughing Death 118
The Islands of Love and Yams 125
The Remarkable Mr Foad 129
The Fidel Castro of New Britain Island 138
The Perils of Getting Dinner 143
The Saga of the DC3 149
Barge of Corpses 154
Trouble in Paradise 157
The Legend of Fred Hargesheimer 166
The Amazing Machinery of Father Buai 169
Remotest of the Remote 173
Surviving the Tari Gap 180
Keeping Odd Company at Mt Hagen 185
Payback! 189
"Liberating" the Margarima Yupin 193
Time to Leave PNG 202

Promotional Information

This book is available in Paperback at the following bookshops and online.

Currently retailing at :

Bookshops

Kerikeri Paper Plus bookstore

Piggery Books, Whangarei

Poppies Bookstore, New Plymouth

Online (Paperback only)


Fishpond NZ

The River is my Highway

Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries

An Accidental Bushman


Fishpond Australia

The River is my Highway

Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries

An Accidental Bushman



Trademe NZ

The River is my Highway

Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries

An Accidental Bushman


Books can also be ordered directly from the Author by going to the author's website: www.rosslockyer.co.nz


We deliver both locally and internationally to anywhere in the world.

About the Author

Ross Lockyer, now in his late 70s, is retired and living with his wife Lestari near Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, in the far north of New Zealand. Friends have been telling him for over 30 years that he should write a book about his life and adventures in the forestry industry and the jungles of Asia and the Pacific. In 2013 he finally put pen to paper and started writing - "the book".

Nine years later that one book has transmogrified into five books. The first two books "An Accidental Bushman" and "Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries" have been edited and published and have sold some hundreds of copies. The third book "The River is my Highway" was published in November 2021 and is now available for purchase. Book four is now with the editor and is due to be published later in 2022. Book five has been written and is now at the pre-editing stage. It is scheduled to be edited and published over the next twelve months or so.

Ross spent much of his life living and working in the forestry and logging industry in remote locations in Asia and the Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya/Indonesian West Papua, Borneo, Sumatra, Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Kiribati and others).

With a gung-ho approach to life (and his own safety), Ross threw himself into his work and immersed himself in the local cultures and communities wherever he went, learning the languages and customs that helped him fit in and do his job. He had many hair-raising adventures and close scrapes, and he encountered many amazing people wherever he went.

Reviews

I have just finished reading "Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries" by Ross Lockyer - a Forest Ranger in the Jungles of Papua New Guinea from 1967 - 1973. He writes a great story based on personal experiences and face to face contact with this, mainly primitive, native community. Ross speaks the local language and became an expert in the Forestry and Logging Industry. I found it hard to put the book down and every page is a good read. Rex Barnaby, Kerikeri.;Book Review: Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries. By Ross Lockyer. Reviewer: Jim Riley. Set in Papua New Guinea prior to self-government and independence. Crime was minimal, a single man's life was free and easy. Ross and I were two Kiwis amongst a "sea" of Aussies, so naturally socialised together. This is why I participated in many of Ross's adventures. He tells it as it happened. I shared in many of his adventures, including the scary episodes at sea, with storms and sharks that he recounts and confirm their veracity. Ross has depicted his adventures up there very well. A thoroughly enjoyable read of true events, to which I know he could have added many more interesting episodes! Jim Riley, Hamilton; A thoroughly enjoyable read written in a warm intimate kiwi style (often humorous) that really draws you in to Ross's experiences. At times I felt like I was there with him facing the myriad of challenges, joys, hardships and fun of a kiwi bushman's life in late 60's PNG. What's so great about this story is that it's equal part personal experience, PNG people & culture, environment and nature and Ross's work life in forestry. It's told from the kiwi bloke adventurer perspective in language that's easily relatable - although very informative, it doesn't come off as academic 'study' of PNG. On the contrary it strikes a great blend of personal recounts, observation and information based on the context of the events. This is an inspiring tale, especially in a modern age where we're overly tempted to take the easy route and live vicariously through digital domains such as social media - this will light a spark in every youngster to get out there and LIVE! Brent Strathdee-Pehi, Kaikohe; An easy read about the amazing adventures of a young New Zealand forestry manager in the Papuan New Guinean jungle. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories about Ross' many adventures and the descriptions of the primitive lives lead by the native people. Once I started reading. I found that it was a book that was hard to put down and the easy narrative used by Ross makes it suitable for all ages. I can't wait for his next publication. Alan Morton, Kawerau; Reading this made me feel more than a little envious of Ross. While I was doing a miserable daily commute on the London underground to work in a dingy office, he was off in the wilds of PNG doing all the things adventurous young men dream of. From dynamiting tree stumps to visiting tropical atolls, lunching with cannibals to hunting crocodiles and piloting small aircraft to remote jungle, and a host of other exotic escapades, he had more interesting experiences in a week than I had in years. It wasn't all madcap frivolity - he also helped save lives and created a collection of local artifacts that he donated to a NZ museum - but youthful high spirits pervade the narrative. Ross writes with enthusiasm, wit, and impressive recall. Plenty of good yarns and a cast of colourful characters make this easy reading, but at the same time it's a history of a world now past that few foreigners ever experienced. Martin Bayliss, Sydney.; A fascinating insight into primitive life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea as encountered in the 1960's by a very adventurous young New Zealander. His experiences, many of which are hair raising, are recounted in a matter of fact style that invites the reader to hasten on to see what happens in the next chapter. A very good read with appeal to all ages ensuring that his next three books soon to be published will be eagerly awaited. Ernest Watson, Kerikeri; A most enjoyable read. Ross's ability to have immersed himself in the land and culture of remote areas of Papua New Guinea, during his early working years there, have now resulted in this fascinating and informative book. A true-life adventure written in an easy relaxed style. Maire Coyte, Kerikeri. ; Just finished this ripping yarn about also sorts of adventures/misadventures the author got himself into. Easy writing style makes this a page turner. Required reading for all those who yearn for a boy's own adventure. Howard Smith, Kerikeri.; Cannibals Crocodiles and Cassowaries, written by Ross Lockyer, is set in New Guinea prior to Independence. It is a true account of his adventures in the country. Ross's recall of events of the time is amazing and he is able to tell his story with humour and hold the reader's attention. Having learned the local pidgin language, he is able to communicate with the people of the region. I was fascinated with the tales of the wildlife in this remote part of the world. The cassowary that frightened Helen, a 17 year old travelling companion. The snakes that were ever present in the bush, but usually were inconspicuous. Deadly death adders that accounted for the deaths of local people foraging, or simply passing by, these hidden serpents. Ross gives a description of life in Papua New Guinea prior to Independence. His views of what happened after independence have largely come to fruition. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Tim Damerell, Tutukaka, Northland