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LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.

Table of Contents

The following pages give an account of the establishment of the British Protectorate over New Guinea by Commodore J. E. Erskine, A.D.C., in H.M.S. Nelson, in November last, and also a description of the country and its inhabitants. The Nelson and the other men-of-war cruised along almost the whole of the southern coast, and as far eastward as East Cape, visiting various centres of population, and staying sufficiently long at each to enable most on board the vessels to make themselves acquainted with the natives and their modes of existence, and in this manner a great deal of New Guinea and its people was seen.

The contents of this book were gathered by the writer in his capacity of Special Commissioner to the Sydney Morning Herald, and the only accredited newspaper correspondent travelling with the expedition. They have already in another form appeared in the columns of the newspaper mentioned, but it is thought that the information given of the country and its inhabitants, and the opportunities offered for white settlement, should have more than a local circulation, and it is believed that the book will prove not only interesting to the general reader—in Great Britain as well as in Australia—but also valuable to any one who contemplates visiting, or, when settlement shall be permitted, trying his fortune in, this latest and important addition to the British Empire.

Just before the departure of Commodore Erskine from Australia for England, the writer received from him the following letter, with reference to the publication of this book:—

"Government House, Tasmania,

"Saturday, Jan. 31.

"Dear Mr. Lyne,

"I write in answer to yours, which I received just as I was on the point of departure from Sydney, to say that I am glad to hear that you propose to republish the articles which have already appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, giving an account of our interesting cruise to New Guinea, as I feel sure they will prove to be as interesting as I know them to be reliable.

"Yours very faithfully,

"James E. Erskine."