Defence says no Kokoda Track airman, just a mossy branch

An image of what was thought to be a moss-covered skeleton. Photo: Lisa Fabre

An Australian trekking party's hopes of having found remains of a World War II airman hanging from a tree on the Kokoda Track have been dashed - in fact they discovered a moss-covered branch, The Age newspaper reports.

Australian Defence Force staff from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby yesterday reached the isolated site in Papua New Guinea to check on the sighting, but found no human remains.

"While the location near Kagi is below a flight path that was commonly used by allied aircraft during WWII sorties, the find has been confirmed by ADF staff as a moss-covered branch," Defence said in a statement last night.

"It appears the branch has broken off the main tree and fallen across some vines which, from the ground, could have been confused with the body of an airman."

The find last month - by a Victorian police officer who was photographing flowers - had sparked hope of closure for a family somewhere in Australia, Japan or the United States.

Guide David Collins, from the Australian company No Roads Expeditions, was leading a trek when the suspected human remains were discovered.

"We had a few police officers on the 19-man trek. One was taking photos with a large lens of the trees and flowers," he said last week.

"He then discovered what looks like the remains of a body.

"I couldn't make it out at first. It wasn't until the wind blew that you could really see it is in a harness. There are goggles and it appears to be caught up in cables, so presumably it is an airman."

Mr Collins said the supposed remains were found in the jungle canopy at the top of the Owen Stanley Range, almost halfway along the 96km track.

AAP

Google launches open source web browser to compete with Internet Explorer and Firefox

Google this week launched an open source web browser to compete with Internet Explorer and Firefox.

 

The browser is designed to be fast, and to cope with the next generation of web applications that rely on graphics and multimedia.

 

Called Chrome, it will launch as a beta for Windows machines in 100 countries, with Mac and Linux versions to come.

 

Using Google on Wednesday this week, I noticed that Chrome was available for immediate download, and managed to do just that.

 

Chrome is designed to handle not just text and graphics, but more complex computer programmes.

 

Chrome, which Google made available in 43 languages in 100 countries at http://www.google.com/chrome , has been designed to download software and render Web pages faster than existing browsers.

 

And it allows users to keep working even when one of its open windows crashes.

 

This is Google's long-anticipated bid to compete with Microsoft Corp, whose rival Internet Explorer dominates three-quarters of the Web browsing market.

 

Google has backed Mozilla Corp's Firefox browser, which holds about 18 percent of the market.

 

"We realised... we needed to completely rethink the browser,” Google’s vice-president of product marketing Sundar Pichai said in a blog post.

 

The new browser will help Google take advantage of developments it is pushing online in rich web applications that are challenging traditional desktop programs.

 

  It's certainly the biggest news in the browser space since Firefox started to dent Internet Explorer's lead and many people see this as a re-ignition of the browser wars

 

Google has a suite of web apps, such as documents, Picasa and maps which offer functionality that is beginning to replace offline software.

 

“At Google, we spend much of our time working inside a browser,” according to Google.

 

“We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser.

 

“And like all of you, in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends - all using a browser.

 

“People are spending an increasing amount of time online, and they're doing things never imagined when the web first appeared about 15 years ago.

 

“Since we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if you started from scratch and built on the best elements out there.

 

“We realised that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser.

 

“What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build.

 

“So today we're releasing the beta version of a new open source browser: Google Chrome.

 

“On the surface, we designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple.

 

“To most people, it isn't the browser that matters.

 

“It's only a tool to run the important stuff - the pages, sites and applications that make up the web.

 

“Like the classic Google homepage, Google Chrome is clean and fast.

 

“It gets out of your way and gets you where you want to go.

 

“Under the hood, we were able to build the foundation of a browser that runs today's complex web applications much better.

 

“By keeping each tab in an isolated ‘sandbox’, we were able to prevent one tab from crashing another and provide improved protection from rogue sites.

 

“We improved speed and responsiveness across the board.

 

“We also built V8, a more powerful JavaScript engine, to power the next generation of web applications that aren't even possible in today's browsers.

 

“This is just the beginning - Google Chrome is far from done.

 

“We've released this beta for Windows to start the broader discussion and hear from you as quickly as possible.

 

“We're hard at work building versions for Mac and Linux too, and we'll continue to make it even faster and more robust.

 

“We owe a great debt to many open source projects, and we're committed to continuing on their path.

 

“We've used components from Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Firefox, among others - and in that spirit, we are making all of our code open source as well.

 

“We hope to collaborate with the entire community to help drive the web forward.

 

“The web gets better with more options and innovation.

 

“Google Chrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making the web even better.”

 

I found out that the range of software available on ‘Google Pack Software’ includes Google Earth, Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Norton Security Scan, Spyware Doctor Starter Edition, Google Desktop, Picasa, Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar, Google Photos Screensaver, Adobe Reader, Google Talk, Skype, RealPlayer and StarOffice.

 

The launch of a beta version of Chrome on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, will be Google's latest assault on Microsoft's dominance of the PC business.

 

The firm's Internet Explorer program dominates the browser landscape, with 80% of the market.

 

National Pledge

We, the people of Papua New Guinea,

pledge ourselves united in one nation.

We pay homage to our cultural heritage,

the source of our strength.

We pledge to build a democratic

society, based on justice, equality,

respect and prosperity for our people.

We pledge to stand together as One People, One Nation, One Country

God bless Papua New Guinea

 

 

 

National Emblem

The National Emblem or Crest adorns all official documents, stationery and even buildings.

 

It features a Raggiana Bird of Paradise, perhaps the most popular and distinctive bird of paradise known with its plumes in full display.

 

The Raggiana holds a kundu drum and a ceremonial spear.

 

The words Papua New Guinea are often inscribed in a shallow arc immediately below the emblem.

 

The emblem is described in the National Identity Ordinance of 1971.

 

The emblem is representative of all parts of the country since the symbols on it are well known throughout all regions of Papua New Guinea.

 

The emblem was designed under the direction of Hal Halmann, who was a senior designer for the Office of Information during the years leading to Independence.

 

Mr Holman’s more recent works include the busts of Sir Michael Somare outside the entrance to Parliament and the metal sculpture of the Raggiana on Waigani Drive in the centre of the Holiday Inn Roundabout.

 

 

Singing Of Joy to Be Free

The national song calling the sons (and daughters) of Papua New Guinea to arise and to “sing of our joy to be free” was adopted by the Constituent Assembly to be sung on Independence Day.

 

Unlike the National Flag and Emblem which were adopted four years earlier, the National Anthem was not decided until just a week before Independence Day.

 

It was even mooted that there would be no national song until after Independence, even though this song and others had been submitted in a nationwide competition well ahead of Independence Day.

 

The National Executive Council decided only on September 10, 1975, to adopt the song whose words and music were composed by Chief Inspector Thomas Shacklady, the then bandmaster of the ever-popular Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Band.

 

The words are:

 

O arise all you sons of this land

Let us sing of our joy to be free

Praising God and rejoicing to bee

Papua New Guinea

 

Shout our name from the mountains to sea

Papua New Guinea

Let us raise our voices and proclaim

Papua New Guinea

 

Now give thanks to the good Lord above

For His kindness, His wisdom and love

For this land of our fathers so free

Papua New Guinea

 

Shout again for the whole world to hear

Papua New Guinea

We’re Independent and we’re free

Papua New Guinea

 

 

 

Late Christopher Kaines was an experienced pilot

Christopher Kaines...an experienced pilot

Chris Karma Kaines, from Gassam village on Siassi Island, Morobe province, died in a mysterious Cessna 206 plane crash in the mountains of Myola, along the Kokoda Trail, on Thursday, August 7, this year, on his return from Goilala.

There are several unanswered questions as to the flight plan given to the Civil Aviation Authority, the air worthiness of the Cessna, why the operator has disappeared since the death of Chris, is there any truth that Chris was carrying mercury and a large amount of money when he crashed, and many more, including questions on the involvement of certain groups and individuals.

Reporters probing the crash been hitting a brick wall at CAA when trying to get information on the crash.

Chris was a very experienced aviator, whose feats are the stuff of legend, including busting gun smuggling operations in Western province with police, once landing on the Hiritano Highway when his engine failed, who in 2006 year flew a private plane from the USA to PNG, and whose ambition in life was to buy his own plane and run a charter operation.

His best friends were from Butibum village in Lae, and he grew up with us, played with us, and drank with us as we were all one family until his tragic passing.

We will always remember this athletic, handsome and easy-going young man who had a huge passion for life.

Chris Kaines was born at Minj in the Western Highlands province but grew up at Mendi in Southern Highlands,

His father was a police sergent from Siassi while his mother was from Iokea village in the Gulf province,

Chris was a very experienced aviator.

After his training in a private flying school in Australia, self-sponsored, he flew crop dusters.

He flew for various charter operators in PNG.

Once, he ran into engine trouble and landed somewhere near Yule Island, on the Hiritano Highway, and after repairs, took off again.

When police needed an aircraft and a pilot to bust a gun-smuggling operation in the Western province side of the border, they were recommended Chris as the pilot and they still speak highly of that operation and the skills of the pilot.

“Chris was a very adventurous person,” said his brother-in-law and Post-Courier journalist Newman Cuthbert, who delivered the eulogy at his funeral service in Port Moresby last week, before the body was taken home to Siassi,

“He never joined Air Niugini or a commercial airline because he wanted to be in command of his own aircraft.

“He was not cut out to cart passengers but was attracted by the prospect of flying into remote locations and challenged the dangers of the weather and dangerous terrain of PNG head on.

“Chris always told my missus - his sister - when she told him time and time again of her concern of him operating small aircraft in remote locations: ‘Big sis I know what I am doing’.

“Danger and death was the most remote thing on all our minds for Chris.

“He had a lot of friends - those he grew up with and kept close to his roots.

“When logging was introduced to Siassi and as part of a family of principal land owners, Chris expressed concern about illegal logging and made it known at family discussions that the family members at home should never be manipulated by foreign logging companies but should benefit.

“‘We must receive our share of royalties but our old people must benefit before their time is up’ he used to tell missus.

“Chris left his first wife Betty and married her cousin also called Betty from whom he had three children.

“The father passed away two years ago and Chris flew his body home to Siassi.

“As a child he loved adventure movies like cowboys and Indians, and if there was something that looked complicated, he wanted to know what made it work.

“Recently, with another pilot friend, he took delivery of an aircraft from the USA and flew it home to PNG.

“His ambition was to buy his own plane and operate a charter company.

“He wanted the family and clan involved and we were all in the process of looking at that prospect.

“His best friends came from Butibum.

“He grew up with them, played with them drank with them and it was his other family.”

Unanswered questions surround death of pilot

Unanswered questions surround death of Chris Kaines

Several unanswered questions surround the death of pilot Chris Kaines, from Gassam village on Siassi Island, Morobe province, who died in a mysterious Cessna 206 plane crash in the mountains of Myola, along the Kokoda Trail, on Thursday, August 7, this year, on the way to Yongai in Goilala.

Local Myola villagers may now hold the key to this plane crash which has been shrouded in mystery until Kaines’s body was taken home to his beloved Siassi Island last week.

There are several unanswered questions as to the flight plan given to the Civil Aviation Authority, the air worthiness of the Cessna, why the operator has disappeared since the death of Kaines, is there any truth that he was carrying mercury and a large amount of money when he crashed, and many more, including questions on the involvement of certain groups and individuals.

Reporters probing the crash been hitting a brick wall at CAA when trying to get information on the crash.

Kaines was a very experienced aviator, whose feats are the stuff of legend, including busting gun smuggling operations in Western province with police, once landing on the Hiritano Highway when his engine failed, who in 2006 year flew a private plane from the USA to PNG, and whose ambition in life was to buy his own plane and run a charter operation.

The procedure for a flight plan is:
· Each aircraft prior to departure to a destination needs to produce a flight
plan to flight services of the Civil Aviation Agency for approval.
· The flight plan states the flight, pilot, and all relevant details like
destination.
· The control tower is responsible for clearing the aircraft for take off and monitors its flight to and from its destination.
· If the aircraft fails to report, the tower raises the alarm and Civil Aviation
organises the rescue.


In the case of Kaines:

. He himself did not produce the flight plan but somebody may have and deliberately changed details so as to have Civil Aviation approve the flight.
. The aircraft used was one that was used by trainee pilots.
. The operator (named) did have an airworthy certificate issued against the particular aircraft.
. It was to train pilots in so whoever produced the flight plan stated himself as the flight instructor and Kaines as trainee in order to get approval.
. No aircraft and pilot under instruction is authorised to carry passenger and cargo.

“(Named operator) was to have flown the aircraft himself as per the flight plan,” a source told me.

“His name may have appeared as the pilot but let Chris (Kaines) on this flight alone.

“That is why when the aircraft crashed, information out of Civil Aviation stated that the aircraft had as flight instructor an expatriate and a PNG trainee pilot.

“Chris spells his name as Chris Kaines, which is very foreign indeed

“”But (named operator) never took that flight and according to the flight plan he was supposed to do so.

“We learnt this from Chris’s wife”

“The bottom line is that (named operator) deceived Chris and deliberately misled Civil Aviation into approving the flight plan and get clearance to make the flight.

“We now know Chris had already made several flights into the area before the crash.

“On the one before the crash, he reported a faulty radio.

“This was brought to the attention of a particular engineer with Heavy Lift who questioned this aircraft to which he was to install the radio.

“When he did he was told it was the one sitting at Nadzab because of some legal complication.

“But than he was also told that it belonged to Northwest Air.

The source said several questions arose including:
. How close was the operator to Kaines?
. What was the arrangement between the two men?
. How much did Kaine’s wife know of this arrangement?
. Was there money involved or a commitment made?
. What was the cargo?
. How many previous flights to the area?
. Who in Civil Aviation knew of this flight and yet approved the flight plan?
. Why did the operator mislead Civil Aviation in stating that it was a training flight?
. Was the rescue authorised by CAA or did the operator take it upon himself to carry out the rescue?
. Why did the crash occur at 11am and the wife was told at midnight?
. What is the interest of police and did CAA authorize police into the rescue operation?
. Why the special attention of police in the crash of this aircraft??
. Why was the pilot’s body not retrieved?
. When Airlines PNG flew into Maiola to take Kaine’s body, police also accompanied that flight. Why?

“Chris (Kaines) became State property but Civil Aviation gave all of us the run around,” the source said.

“No funds to send him to Sydney and even up until the final hour, funds were not available to release the body.

“(Named operator) has suddenly gone into hiding.”