Early Port Moresby.

Commemoration Service.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Nov. 28.

A SERVICE was held at the Mission flagstaff, Hanaubada, on November 21, to commemorate the landing in 1874 of Dr. W. G. Lawes, the first mis sionary of the L.M.S. to settle in Papua.

The flagstaff marks the site on which the first mission house was erected for Dr. and Mrs. Lawes by the sailors of the ‘‘John Williams.”

It was not until the end of 1877 that the Rev. James Chalmers joined the Mission and landed in New Guinea. The preface of ‘‘Adventure in New Guinea,” by J. Chalmers, states: ‘‘In 1874, Mr. and Mrs. Lawes, with their son Charles, settled at Port Moresby—the only white people on the whole of New Guinea.”

Later in his book the Rev. James Chalmers describes Port Moresby. ‘‘We arrived at Port Moresby about 6 o’clock (Oct. 21, 1877). I cannot say I was much charmed with the place; it had such a burnt-up, barren appearance. Close to the village is a mangrove swamp and the whole bay is enclosed with high

hills. At the back of the Mission pre mises and close to them is a large swampy place, which in wet weather is full of water. There can be no doubt about Port Moresby being a very un healthy place.”

Fifty-five years have made a great difference to the district. There are now no mangrove swamps; the swampy places have long disappeared and Port Moresby is considered one of the health iest spots in Papua.