Mr. W. W. Froggatt's

Death

Recalls Story of First Expedition To Papua in 1885

Mr. Arthur J. Vogan, F.R.G.S., we * are indebted for the following notes on the career and associations of Mr.

W. W. Froggatt, the noted entomologist, who died in Svdney on March 18 at the age of 78. Mr. Vogan is now the last remaining member of the first expedi tion to British New Guinea (now Papua) in 1885, on which Mr. Froggatt was official entomologist.

The passing of the well-known Mr. W.

W Froggatt, who was entomologist on the first expedition to what is now Papua, takes the mind back to those more placid days ere the flying machine, the wireless, and the motor car had entered into our world, says Mr. Vogan. To-day only one member of that expedition remains; and the new water-route into the interior then discovered, the Strickland (named after Sir Edward Strickland, nresident of the Royal Geographical Society of Aus tralasia which sent the party) is now commonly used by prospectors, Govern ment patrols, and others.

The story attached to the sending of the expedition has something of romance about it. The German Government seized the northern part of the goose-shaped island which was not under Dutch con trol; and Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, then Premier of Queensland, afraid of a too close neighbourhood with the Red, Black, and White, attempted to take possession of what was left—the southern quarter of the great barrier between Australia and Asia.

However, the Gladstone Government in England would have none of it: and then took place the first common-action achieved by the Australasian powers— then “colonies”! They forced the Home Government’s hands. The next thing then was to send an expedition to learn about what they had won.

As nearly as possible a man was sent as representative of each of the colonies.

But —there is always a “but,” alas!—the leader chosen because of his experience in the Malay Islands proved most un suitable; and the Resident Magistrate of Thursday Island, the famous “Black"

Douglas, was approached by a deputation from the party.

He said, “Go on, nominally under Captain Everill; but take your orders from Captain Hemsworth, second in charge. As magistrate, I authorise you to do this!”

Hemsworth, with Senior (the surveyor) successfully carried out the work; but to day (such is fame and history!) all our naming of the rivers, hills, and islands, etc., discovered has disappeared, as later explorers arrived, in after years. Only the name “Strickland” for the new branch of the Upper Fly and “Everill” (the deposed “leader”) for the junction with the main river, Hemsworth’s sons are today well known aviators in the New Guinea ser vices. Poor Senior, who was drowned n a Sydney Harbour boat-picnic on his return, and all the rest gradually sank back into the oblivion from which they had emerged—save W. W. Froggatt who as an entomologist of genius reaped de served kudos.

Mr. Froggatt’s son, Mr. John L. Frog gatt, is now entomologist with the New Guinea Administration.