Hides, Jack (1906-1939), an Australian patrol officer, made many important discoveries in the rugged interior of New Guinea. He published four books on the area. In 1931, he led a patrol from Kerema, on the Gulf of Papua, toward Wau. In 1935, Hides explored the country between the Strickland and Kikori rivers. In 1938, he explored the Strickland River area in search of gold. John Gordon Hides was born in Port Moresby, on the island of New Guinea, on June 24, 1906. He died of pneumonia on June 19, 1939.