Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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12 "Given on board Her Majesty's ship _Nelson_, at the harbour of Port Moresby, on the 6th day of November, 1884." The die has thus been cast. Already rumours that seem to have some foundation are in the air that the protectorate is soon to become annexation. It should be the aim of all to see that, by the force of public opinion, the last portion of the heathen world that has come under English protection shall have, as the years pass, many and solid reasons for thanking God that He has so guided its destinies as to unite them to our great Empire. CHAPTER I. EARLY EXPERIENCES. Somerset--Murray Island--Darnley Island--Boera--Moresby--Trip inland--Sunday at Port Moresby--Native funeral ceremonies--Tupuselei--Round Head--Native salutations--Kerepunu--Teste Island--Hoop-iron as an article of commerce--Two teachers landed--A tabooed place--Moresby and Basilisk Islands--South Cape--House building--Difficulties with the natives--An anxious moment--Thefts--Dancing and cooking--Visit to a native village--Native shot on the Mayri--Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers in danger--Arrival of the _Ellengowan_. Towards the close of 1877, Mr. Chalmers and Mr. McFarlane visited New Guinea for the purpose of exploring the coast, landing native teachers at suitable spots, and thus opening the way for future missionary effort. What follows is given in Mr. Chalmers's words:--
13 We left Sydney by the Dutch steamer _William M'Kinnon_, on September 20th, 1877, for Somerset. The sail inside the Barrier Reef is most enjoyable. The numerous islands passed, and the varied coast scenery make the voyage a very pleasant one--especially with such men as our captain and mates. On Sunday, the 30th, we reached Somerset, where we were met by the _Bertha_, with Mr. McFarlane on board of her. Mr. McFarlane was soon on board of the steamer to welcome us, and remained with us till the evening. There was very little of the Sabbath observed that day--all was bustle and confusion. Quite a number of the pearl-shelling boats were at Somerset awaiting the arrival of the steamer, and the masters of these boats were soon on and around the steamer receiving their goods. On Tuesday, October 2nd, we left Somerset in the _Bertha_, for Murray Island, anchoring that night off Albany. On Wednesday night, we anchored off a sandbank, and on Thursday, off a miserable-looking island, called Village Island. On Friday, we came to York Island, where we went ashore and saw only four natives--one man and three boys. At eleven p.m. on Saturday, we anchored at Darnley Island. This is a fine island, and more suitable for vessels and landing goods than Murray, but supposed to be not so healthy. The island is about five hundred feet in height, in some parts thickly wooded, in others bare. It was here the natives cut off a boat's crew about thirty years ago, for which they suffered--the captain landing with part of his crew, well-armed, killing many and chasing them right round the island. They never again attempted anything of the kind. As a native of the island expressed himself on the subject:--"White fellow, he too much make fright, man he all run away, no want see white fellow gun no more." In 1871, the first teachers were landed here. The Sunday morning was fine, and we resolved to spend a quiet forenoon on
Page 1 and 2: 1 Adventures in New Guinea James Ch
Page 3 and 4: 3 Partial surveys of the south coas
Page 5 and 6: 5 by the natives, has added enormou
Page 7 and 8: 7 vegetable products--fine timber,
Page 9 and 10: 9 take long for the natives to lear
Page 11: 11 "To all to whom these presents s
Page 15 and 16: 15 Murray Island. We went ashore th
Page 17 and 18: 17 of the Loyalty Island teachers,
Page 19 and 20: 19 We had a bath, then supper, and
Page 21 and 22: 21 been about thirty miles off, and
Page 23 and 24: 23 We walked about seven miles thro
Page 25 and 26: 25 About three in the afternoon, an
Page 27 and 28: 27 exchanging names with us, in hop
Page 29 and 30: 29 were still mourning. There had b
Page 31 and 32: 31 came off to us in a small one. W
Page 33 and 34: 33 who considers himself the chief
Page 35 and 36: 35 walls and roof finished, when al
Page 37 and 38: 37 moment, and one in which I am su
Page 39 and 40: 39 natives that I had hoped to go a
Page 41 and 42: 41 arm. On running through the vill
Page 43 and 44: 43 child. The people continued trou
Page 45 and 46: 45 Communication was held with some
Page 47 and 48: 47 astern, that the first canoe wou
Page 49 and 50: 49 formation of the land and the ma
Page 51 and 52: 51 me, I shall return." It had the
Page 53 and 54: 53 "Oh no, my friends; pull, you mu
Page 55 and 56: 55 A girl steals out from the crowd
Page 57 and 58: 57 all done up in small parcels, so
Page 59 and 60: 59 who knows what he may be up to?
Page 61 and 62: 61 in the distance, numbers more si
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63 When in the boat, we asked the H
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65 When sickness is in the family,
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67 16_th_.--Ruatoka, Joe (an Africa
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69 20_th_.--Yesterday evening, abou
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71 gave him some on his taro. He be
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73 "If you go on you will be devour
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75 teeth, hold with one hand, and w
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77 understand them. It is very conv
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79 to get tobacco and salt, their h
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81 Owen Stanley. There will be plen
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83 20_th_.--Last night, after turni
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85 _Nao_, _nao_! (foreigners), and
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87 They seem very much attached to
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89 Seeing there was nothing for it-
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91 Sogerians. I was sitting on the
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93 natives. This part of the plain
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95 streams from the Astrolabe Range
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97 places precipitous rocks. The fa
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99 true it was the Great Spirit or
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101 grass bound tight at one end, a
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103 afraid, expecting a raid, and a
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105 "I am going to Motumotu, and no
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107 the sea was too high, breaking
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109 different. To get into Motumotu
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111 I landed with them, and went up
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113 In the afternoon we held servic
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115 CHAPTER V. THE KALO MASSACRE. T
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117 and, after the first moments of
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119 at once offered me as much land
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121 fighting all round, avenging Oa
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123 not stay if they were to be con
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125 and praying that He would care
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127 at from aft, fell overboard, an
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129 CHAPTER V. EAST CAPE IN 1878 AN
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131 at East Cape on a Sunday. Morni
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Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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