Hoisting of British Flag

59 Years Ago

Hoisting of British Flag at Port Moresby

By F. T. Goedicke, of Haapai, Tonga

NOVEMBER 3 brings back to my mind a picture of a memorable scene which took place on the shore of Port Moresby Harbour in 1884. It was an extremely impressive one, both from the native point of view and from that of the white man, for it is still spoken of in the Territory by the early pioneers and the old men of the villages.

Five British warships were present—the Espiegle, the Raven, the Swinger and the Harrier—besides Commodore Erskine’s flagship, the Nelson. James Elphinstone Erskine, Commodore of the Australian Fleet, read the proclamation, surrounded by his staff, and the hoisting of the flag was performed by Flag-Lieut. Grant, an Australian.

Behind the Commodore stood the De puty Commissioner (Mr. Romilly), the missioners (Dr. Laws and his wife, and Rev. James Chalmers), and the leading trader, Mr. Andrew Goldie, who had arriyed in New Guinea as far back as 1874. In the background were crowded the natives of the district, headed by their chief, “Boi-Vagi,” attired in an old naval officer’s uniform, in recognition of his position as “king of his tribe.”

Many changes have taken place since that memorable day; but the British flag still flies over Port Moresby. In one more year, Port Moresby can celebrate its Diamond Jubilee.