Papua In 1888

Louisiades Gold—And the First Execution

Letter to the Editor • MR. D. H. OSBORNE has expressed some doubt as to the year in which gold was found at Sudest Island. In my previous letter I stated the fact that gold had been first found there by a Government party in 1886. This is cor rect. The prospecting party who opened up the field were sent there by the Gov ernor (Hon, John Douglas) who remained in New Guinea only during the latter part of 1886—so there is no doubt about the year.

In 1888, after Sir William MacGregor (“Dr.” in those days) i took over the Administration of British New Guinea, he visited Sudest and, while there, some of the miners came on board and stated that the gold was being worked out in Sudest. The Governor at once offered to take a party of 12 miners round the other likely islands. This was agreed to at once, and within a day or two we sailed with the miners on board.

We visited Rossel, and found nothing.

Next we visited Misima, and we found gold there. Then on to the Woodlarks, where the miners were very well satis fied with their find, and decided to return there after replenishing stores.

We called at Goodenough, Ferguson, and Normanby Islands, but found no trace of gold. Then we sailed for Samarai.

On standing over for the mainland, we sighted a wreck on the east point of Cheddo Bay. We went ashore to inves tigate, and saw there had been foul play.

We then landed on the beach, but no natives were to be found, although we could hear them talking in the bush. We got under way and stood out to sea; but we returned at midnight, anchoring with a kedge anchor, to avoid making any noise.

We lowered the boats and made for the shore. Unfortunately, as we were rowing, an oar struck a dugong which was feeding in the shallow water. This caused a great disturbance in the water, as there must have been dozens of the creatures there. The result was that the watchers on the beach were aroused.

They rushed to the village, about a quar ter of a mile inland. We found no one in the village.

But, just at daybreak, two women were captured and, later, they gave us a full account of all that had happened, and named everyone implicated in the crime.

During the day we broke up into three parties. The miners were told off to go west. Unfortunately, a village was set

on fire in that direction, which meant the departure of the miners next morn ing for Samarai. That meant that the work had to be done by the Government party.

And it was done. We spent between two and three months over the job, but every one of the culprits was brought to trial. We were so long out of touch with Queensland that the Queensland Govern ment sent the small steamer “Albatross” to search for us; and just as we were finishing up our work she found us in Milne Bay, where we had gone to secure the last two men wanted.

When we arrived at Samarai there was no place to keep the prisoners, so the Governor decided to cut down the coco nut trees in the village, which was then situated on the south-west point of the island. A compound was soon erected and the prisoners safely housed. They were brought before Judge Winter and tried: four were sentenced to death, and the others to terms of imprisonment.

The four who were sentenced to death were taken to Cheddo Bay and hanged in the presence of all the natives that could be got together. They were the first natives to be executed in New Guinea (January, 1889).

During the whole of this tour (between five and six months) we had, as guest of the Governor, Captain Baden Powell, younger brother of Lord Baden Powell.

At that time he was inventing a balloon —which, I believe, is the type of defence

balloon used round the coasts of Britain to-day.

Mr. Osborne, in his last letter, said Mr.

M. Martin was Private Secretary to Sir William MacGregor, while he was Gov ernor of Queensland. So far as I know, he never held that position in Brisbane.

I am, etc.,

T. L. Craig.

Scotts Point, Moreton Bay, Q.

The South Sea Evangelical Mission, which operates in the Solomon Islands, was registered as a corporation on De cember 22, and the letters “Limited” are now added to its name.

Three lads from Moresby, aged 15, have passed the junior examination set by the University of Queensland, equi valent to the Intermediate of NSW.

They are: lan Chester, Ken Baldwin, and Gilbert Rogerson, all sons of well known residents. lan Chester is a grandson of the late Mr. H. M. Chester, and of Mr. J. G. Fowler. Ken Baldwin is a grandson of the late Mr. C. R.

Baldwin, and the late Mr. J. Graham slaw. All are well-known names in Moresby. These lads were born in Port Moresby, and started school together, and they have kept pace with each other right through the various grades.

They are continuing their education to the Senior standard.