THE ANNEXATION COST OF NEW GUINEA.

Kumara Times, Issue 2092, 15 May 1883, Page 2

THE ANNEXATION COST OF NEW GUINEA.

Mr H. M. Chester, has furnished to the Chief Secretary of Queensland an interesting report of his recent visit to Port Moresby, and of the ceremony of taking possession of New Guinea in the name of her Majesty, from which we make the following extract:—Port Moresby, New Guinea, 7th April, 1883. Sir—l have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I left Thursday Island in the Pearl on the 24th ultimo. There being a difficulty in engaging a crew, I took with me three of the water police and two men from the pilot cutter. Mr Frank Walsh also accompanied me as a volunteer. I proceeded to Somerset to water the vessel, and left for Port Moresby on the 27th idem. At ten a.ra. on the 4th instant I took formal possession, in her Majesty’s name, of all that portion of New Guinea and the adjacent islands not already in occupation by the Dutch, and read the accompanying proclamation in presence of about 200 natives and 13 .Europeans. A Royal salute was fired from the Pearl, and at the close of the proceedings three cheers were given for her Majesty the Queen. I then, in presence of the people, recognised 806 Vagi as head chief of Port Moresby, and gave the flag into his charge until such time as an official should be sent to represent the Government. Mr Lawes kindly explained the meaning of the ceremony to the people, and assured them that they would remain in undisturbed possession of their lauds. A short impressive prayer by Mr Lawes terminated the proceedings, after which about £SO worth of trade was distributed to the heads of families by Ruatoka, the Rarotongan teacher, in the name of her Majesty. In the afternoon a long procession filed up the hill to the mission house, each man bearing some small present, snch as two or three spears, an armlet, a grass petticoat, or an ornament, and after this the Europeans present, the teachers and their wives, and 806 Vagi were invited to a banquet, given by Messrs Lawes and Chalmers, at which,.after the usual loyal toasts, “ Prosperity to the latest Gem added to the British Crown ” was drunk, and the health of the missionaries who had done so much for the civilisation of the people. Great regret was expressed by all at the absence of Mrs Lawes, a lady of whom it is no disparagement to our beloved Queen to say that she alone reigns in the hearts of this people. It is now five years since I first visited Port Moresby, and I was much struck by the improved appearance town. Proclamation read at Port Moresby on 4th April, 1883:—“I, Henry Majoribanks Chester, Resident Magistrate at Thursday Istand, in the colony of Queensland, acting under instructions from the Government of the said colony, do hereby take possession of all that portion of New Guinea and the islands and islets adjacent thereto, lying between the 141st and 155th meridians of east longtitude, in the name and on behalf of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors. In token thereof I have hoisted and saluted the British flag at Port Moresby in New Guinea this'fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three. God save the Queen ! (Signed) Henry M. Chester.” Referring to the annexation of New Guinea, the Brisbane Courier says : “ lb has been explained that no preferential right has been set up to any special territorial advantages on the part of this colony further than this, that the Government of Queensland has expressed its willingness to accept a territorial extension, if it is considered desirable to carry out the annexation in that form. But it is to be clearly understood that Queensland desires no exclusive possession, and that the action in this case has been taken chiefly in order to set at rest any doubt as to the ultimate possession of New Guinea by some foreign Power. It is sought in fact in the first place to extend the sovereignty of Great Britain to that portion .of New Guinea not claimed by the Dutch. Whether it should be included within the territorial definition of Queensland, or whether it should be constituted a separate territory under the protection of Britain, must be matters for further consideration, and the Premiers of the several Australian colonies have been advised that the action taken has been with a view to serve the interests of the Australian olonies as a whole, without any undue prominence being given to the special interest which Queensland undoubtedly has in the settlement of the question.”