Impressive Ceremony 50 Years Ago

Hoisting of the British Flog in Popua on Sept. 4, 1888

FIFTY years ago on September 4, 1888, Sir William MacGregor, M.D., C.M.G., arrived in Papua from Cook town (Queensland) in H.M.S. “Opal”, commanded by Captain Bosanquet, to take over the reins of Government and, by Proclamtaion, declare the Protected Territory of New Guinea (as Papua was then referred to) to be part of the Queen’s Dominions.

A detailed report of the proceedings, written by Mr. Anthony Musgrave, who accompanied Sir William MacGregor as “Secretary for the Government”, de scribes the vivid scenes not only of the ceremony itself, but also of the entry into the harbour when H.M.S. “Opal” came to anchor.

Flags were flying in welcome from the London Missionary Society’s and Mr. A.

Goldie’s flagstaffs, and there was a gen eral air of excitement on landing—while the preliminary arrangements were in hand. A public notice was issued with out delay to all residents in the town ship of Granville, and a special invita tion went to members of the L.M.S.

Mission. Officers visited nearby villages (Hanuabada) summoning all natives to attend the ceremony.

“At 2.30 p.m.”, wrote Mr. Musgrave, “His Excellency came ashore . . . and at once proceeded to Government House.

By a quarter before four o’clock the ar rangements were completed, and the scene from Government House verandah. 150 ft. above sea and commanding a full view of the harbour and surroundings, was interesting and attractive.

“To the right and northerly, the mis sion flagstaff, dressed for the ceremony, was a triangle of lively colour. In the foreground. H.M.S. ‘Opal’, the L.M.S. schooner ‘Ellangowan’, and the Govern ment cutter ‘Maine’, were also decorated with taunting blowing out freely in the strong south-east trade wind. From the oval plateau covered with fine shingle in front of the building, the Govern ment flagstaff with its white shaft and crosstrees showed in clear outline against the blue background of the, harbour, while a single Union Jack flew from it as the Resident Deputy Com missioner’s symbol of authority.

“At the end of the plateau, beyond the mast and about its base, the local natives—men, women and children— grouped themselves in a semi-circle of some 200 or more. This was a remark ably good gathering, for although the three villages mentioned contain over 1,000 souls, a large number were inland for the last hunt of the season. In the middle of the group the mission stud ents and their wives in clean cotton clothing of different hues presented a strong and pleasing contrast to their nude and stock-headed relations.

“On the north side of the platform, the • guard of honour—blue-jackets and Marines under Commander Field, R.N, and Lieutenant Basil Hall, R.N.—'was placed with a drum-and-fife band front ing them, thus forming three sides of a square about the flag-mast. Two sig nalmen from the ‘Opal’ were also sta tioned at this point to attend to the flags appropriate to the ceremony”.

The Assembly consisted of the fol lowing:— Captain Day Bosanquet, R.N. (H.M.

Senior Officer for the Northern Division of the Australian Station), and officers of H.M.S. “Opal”.

Hugh Hastings Romilly, C.M.G., and Anthony Musgrave (Deputy Commission ers for British New Guinea).

Rev. W. G. Lawes (Senior member of the London Missionary Society) and Mrs. Lawes, Bingham Arbuthnot Hely (Accountant for the Protectorate).

Frank E. Lawes (Clerical Assistant and Acting Post Master, etc., at Pt. Mores by).

George Hunter (Government Officer, Rigo Station).

Andrew Goldie (Collector, Explorer and Storekeeper in British New Guinea since 1875).

Ruotoka (Rarotongan L.M.S. teacher, resident in Pt. Moresby since 1873), and South Sea Island boatmen, employed by the Government.

Being informed by Captain Bosan quet that everything as ready, His Ex cellency read the Proclamation declaring Her Majesty’s Sovereignity over the Pro tectorate, and immediately afterwards read the Imperial Letters Patent, which provided for a Constitution for the new Territory.

In his address, Sir William MacGregor after commenting on the fact that the history of British New Guinea as part of the Queen’s Dominion would com mence from September 4, drew attention to the great possibilities of the little known Territory.

“So much still remains to be made known in regard to the capabilities of this great country”, he said, “that at present no human eye can see far into

its future. But we well know, from a rich experience gained elsewhere, that the material and economic development of British New Guinea can safely be left to the energy, industry, and persev erance of our own race, when their in herent qualities can fairly be brought to bear on the task. The Queen’s Sover eignity here will be a guarantee that every effort will be made to educate the native race; to impart to them the great and sublime truths of the Christ ian religion: to teach them to value and respect law and order; and to ap preciate justice.

“May God grant that our Sovereign’s rule in British New Guinea may secure the prosperity, happiness, and content ment of the Queen’s subjects here, both old and new”, he concluded, “and that the people of this land, now declared a British Possession, may for all time look up with true loyalty and devotion to that flag which we now salute”.

After Sir William MacGregor’s ad dress, the Royal Standard was hoisted and saluted by the guns of H.M.S.

“Opal”. Captain Bosanquet then read Sir William’s Commission as Administra tor and the necessary oaths of office, and the ceremony concluded by the natives singing “God Save the Queen”.

M.L.