Filming Papuan Life.
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
Administration Prohibits War-like Scenes.
Two well-known travellers, Messrs. G.
C. Dromgold and J. B. Shackleford, who have been in Papua filming scenes of native life, arrived in Sydney by the “Macdhui” in March 9. They were ac companied by Mr. Mel Ward, honorary zoologist at the Australian Museum.
The expedition had been in Papua for five months and exposed over 20,000 feet of film on many interesting and unique subjects. Using a 65ft. lugger as head quarters, they filmed many scenes along the coast as far as Samarai.
Disappointment was expressed at the attitude of the Papuan Government, which refused the expedition permission to take scenes of large numbers of Pa puans in battle order. It was feared by the officials that the natives would reach such a pitch of excitement that a real battle would be the result. These scenes will be completed in Fiji, where the na tives have less war-like tendencies.
Mr. Mel Ward brought with him a large collection of specimens which, he said, would take at least two years to classify. He will not be able to complete this work until he has examined the re ports of early French explorers.