Picturesque New Guinea (1887)
by John William Lindt
1149312Picturesque New Guinea1887John William Lindt

PICTURESQUE NEW GUINEA.

Plate I.

MOTU WATER CARRIER, PORT MORESBY.

Frontispiece.

PICTURESQUE NEW GUINEA.


WITH AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION AND

SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTERS

ON THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PAPUANS;


ACCOMPANIED WITH

FIFTY FULL-PAGE AUTOTYPE ILLUSTRATIONS

FROM NEGATIVES OF PORTRAITS FROM LIFE AND

GROUPS AND LANDSCAPES FROM NATURE.


BY

J. W. LINDT, F.R.G.S.



LONDON:

LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.,

1887.

[All rights reserved.]

CHISWICK PRESS:—C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT,
CHANCERY LANE.

Dedicated

BY PERMISSION WITH PROFOUNDEST RESPECT

TO

HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA,

BY

J. W. LINDT,

IN THE YEAR OF HER MAJESTY'S JUBILEE,

1887.


CONTENTS.

PAGE
Preface vii
CHAPTER I.Historical Account of New Guinea.
Geographical Positions—First Discoveries—First Explorers—The Missionaries—Dutch Settlement—English Surveys of the Coast—Attempts of Australian Settlement—Annexation by Queensland—Refusal of Imperial Sanction—Australian Colonists Remonstrate—Proposal of a British Protectorate—Annexation by Great Britain—Dissatisfaction of the Colonists—Announcement of German Occupation—Arrival of Sir Peter Scratchley—His first Proceedings and Premature Death—Appointment of a Successor—The German Settlement 1
CHAPTER II.From Sydney to New Guinea.
Colonists Demand Annexation of New Guinea—Lord Derby's Vacillation—Appointment of Sir Peter Scratchley as High Commissioner—His Arrival and first Proceedings—Departure from Sydney—Pathetic Parting of the Commissioner and his Family—A Sabbath Day on Board—Northwards to Brisbane—Description of the "Governor Blackall"—Music hath Charms to soothe the hardy Seaman's breast—An Eminent Naturalist—Gentle Savages—Departure from Brisbane—A New Patent Log—The Tragedy of Percy Island—A Strange Ocean Product—An Island Paradise—An Apron Signal —Townsville—Meeting with a "Vagabond"—Cooktown—The Tragedy of Lizard Island—New Guinea in Sight 11
CHAPTER III.First Landing in New Guinea.
First View of Papua—Breakers Ahead—Haven of Safety reached—First Welcome—The Missionary and his Wife—Excursion to Rano Falls planned—Native Villages on the Littoral—Frolicsome Young Savages—A Degraded Race—A Tribe of Potters—A Strange Flotilla—Preparations for Excursion—A Christian Sabbath in a Savage Land—Elevating Influence of Christianity—A Photographer's Impedimenta—First Landing—Religious Service in the Motu Language—"Granny" the Prime Minister—A Start resolved on—A Guide and Carriers engaged—Also a Native Head Cook 27
CHAPTER IV.First Excursion in New Guinea.
Orders to March—Heavy Travelling—Tropical Creek—Sure-footed Mountain Steeds—Native Hunting Camp—Luncheon in the Forest—Smoking the Bau Bau—Good Country for Horse-breeding—Koiari Kangaroo-hunting—The Hunter's Feast—The Koiari Tribe—Splendid Natural Panorama—Morrison's Explorations—Camp for the Night—Perilous Journeying—The Alligators' Haunt—Night in the Papuan Forest—Frightening the Devil—Fears of Danger from Natives dispelled—Morning in the Forest—A Purpose abandoned—Strike for a Koiari Village—Savage Gourmands—Steep Mountain Ascent—Magnificent Mountain Scenery—A Koiari Welcome—A Mountain Village—Dwellings on the Tree-tops—A Koiari Chief—Photographer in Koiari—Hospitable Offer—A Koiari Household—Great White Chief—Buying a Pig—A Koiari Interior—A Papuan Meal—Conference of Chiefs—Papuan Etiquette—A Tribal Feud—Uncomfortable Night—Superb Mountain Views—The Photographer in a Koiari Village—Return to the Port—A Ruined Village—Native Remains—Encounter Mr. Forbes—Missionary Hospitality 32
CHAPTER V.Excursion up the Aroa River.
Site Fixed for Government House and Buildings—Bootless Inlet—Lakatoi Trading Vessels—Native Regatta—Quit Port Moresby for Redscar Bay—Landing of the Party—The Mouth of the Aroa—Ascent of the Stream—Reflections on Land-tenure—Visit to Ukaukana Village—Interview with the Head Chief of Kabadé—Exchange of Presents—Adventures returning to Camp—Night Alarms—The Vari Vara Islands—Back to Port Moresby 46
CHAPTER VI.A Coasting Expedition.
Arrival of H.M.S. "Raven"—Trade Winds—Site for Government Stores—Inland Party organized—Arrival off Tupuselei—Coast Scenery—A Papuan Venice—Sir Peter Scratchley's Visit to Padiri—Sickness among the Party—A Native Feud—Attack apprehended—Kapa Kapa—A Group of Mourners—Mangoes—Birds of Paradise—A Palaver—Continuation of the Voyage 55
CHAPTER VII.An Expedition Inland.
Walk from Hula to Kalo—Cocoanut Groves—Native Diseases—Mortality—History of the Reprisals for Murdering—Price of a Wife—Matrimonial Customs—The Author leaves Kalo—Crossing a River—Arriving at Hood Lagoon—Rejoin the Ship 64
CHAPTER VIII.Native Villages.
Scenery at the Hood Lagoon—Kerepumu, Hula—Fracas between the Ship's Company and Natives—Beneficial Results—Start for Aroma—A Native Chief as Passenger—Parimata—Moapa—The Aroma District—Departure for Stacey Island—The Scenery Described 70
CHAPTER IX.South Cape.
Bertha Lagoon—Garihi—Ascent of the Peak—East Shores of the Lagoon—Under Way—The Brumer Group—Rendezvous at Dinner Island—Murder of Captain Miller—Investigations at Teste Island 78
CHAPTER X.Searches for Murderers.
Return to Dinner Island—Rendezvous with H.M.S. "Diamond" and "Raven"—Excursion to Heath Island—Departure for Normanby Island—Diaveri—An Exciting Chase—Fruitless Negotiations—Capture of an Alleged Murderer—A Mistake and its Rectification—The Real Simon Pure—His Adventures in Sydney—Return of the Author in H.M.S. "Dart" 85
CHAPTER XI.Mr. Chalmers' Narrative.
Visit to Killerton Islands—The Juliade Islands—Reprisals for the Murder of Captain and Mrs. Webb—Colombier Point—Unsuccessful Attempt to Communicate with Natives—Hoisting the Union Jack at Moapa—Inland Excursion to Koiari Villages—Ascent of Mount Variata—Meet Mr. Forbes—Sogeri—Mr. Forbes' Station—Return to Port Moresby and Hula—Bentley Bay—Ascent of Mount Killerton—Illness of Sir Peter Scratchley—Character of the Coast—The Jabbering Islands—From Collingwood Bay to Cape Nelson—Mountains and Harbours—Departure of the "Governor Blackall" for Australia—Illness of Sir Peter Scratchley—His Death—His Funeral 95
CHAPTER XII.Two New Guinea Stories by James Chalmers, F.R.G.S.
I. Veata of Maiva—II. The Koitapu Tribe and their Witchcraft. 106
CHAPTER XIII.History and Description of Pottery Trade.
A Papuan "Enoch Ardon," by James Chalmers, F.R.G.S. 118
CHAPTER XIV.Travels in the Neighbourhood of Mount Yule.
Motu Motu and Customs of the People, by E. G. Edelfeld, M.R.G.S. 126
APPENDIX I.British New Guinea.
Report on British New Guinea, from Data and Notes by the Late Sir Peter Scratchley, Her Majesty's Special Commissioner, by Mr. G. Seymour Fort, Private Secretary to the late Sir Peter Scratchley, R.E., K.C.M.G. 135
APPENDIX II."The Bonito" Expedition.
Captain Everill's Report of the Royal Geographical Society's Expedition to the "Fly, Strickland, Service, and Alice Rivers" 167

APPENDIX III.German New Guinea Exploration.

189



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE PAGE
1. Motu Water Carrier, Port Moresby Frontispiece
2. Portrait of Author, J. W. Lindt, F.R.G.S. to face Preface
3. Portraits of the Revs. S. McFarlane, G. W. Lawes, and James Chambers 6
4. "The Start." Sir Peter Scratchley, his Staff and Party of Friends,

S.S. "Governor Blackall".

8
5. Women making Pottery 12
Loading Lakatoi, Port Moresby 12
6. Lakatoi, or Motu Trading Vessel, under Sail 14
7. Lakatoi near Elevala Island 16
Elevala Island, from Mission Station 16
8. Koiari Chiefs 20
9. The Haunt of the Alligator, Laloki River 22
10. Roasting Yams for Breakfast, Badeba Creek 24
11. Near the Camp, Laloki River 28
12. Sadāra Makāra, Koiari Village near Bootless Inlet 30
13. The Village Pet at Sadāra Makāra 32
14. Tree-house, Koiari Village 36
15. Motu Girls, Port Moresby, also Paro Paro Apple Tree 38
16. Sir Peter Scratchley's Camp, near Mouth of Aroa River, Redscar Bay 40
17. Native House at Vanuabada, Kabade District 44
18. Native Teachers, Kabade District 46
19. Village of Koilapu, Port Moresby 48
20. At Low Water, Native Houses at Koilapu 52
21. H. O. Forbes and Party of Malays, also Captain Musgrave and Mr. Lawes 54
22. Tupuselei (Marine Village) from the Shore 56
23. The Chief's House, Marine Village of Tupuselei 60
24. Women of Tupuselei going for Water 62
25. Mangrove Scrub, near Kaele 64
26. Group of Natives at Kapa Kaja, central figures in mourning 68
27. The Kalo Creek, Kapa, Kapa District 70
28. New Guinea Trophy, Weapons and Implements 72
29. Native House at the Village of Kamali 76
30. The Chief's Spire House at Kalo (in course of re-construction) 78
31. Mourners and Dead-house at Kalo 80
32. Village Scene at Kalo, with Teacher and Christian Church 84
33. Kerepunu Women at the Market Place of Kalo 86
34. Village Scene at Moapa, Aroma District 88
35. Native Houses and Graves at Suau, Stacey Island 92
36. Garihi Village, Bertha Lagoon, South Cape 94
37. Boating Scene, Bertha Lagoon and Cloudy Mountains in the Distance 96
38. Magiri Village, Bertha Lagoon, South Cape 100
39. Group and Native House, Mairy Pass, Mainland of New Guinea in the Distance 102
40. Young Cocoanut Trees on Stacey Island, Farm Peak in the Distance 104
41. Platform for Dead Bodies, South Cape, New Guinea 108
42. Naria Village, South Cape, New Guinea 110
43. On the Beach, Teste Island, Kissack's trading Canoe, Bell Rock and Cliffy Island in the Distance 112
44. Paddles, Native Ornaments, and Implements from the Neighbourhood of Dinner Island and China Straits 116
45. Village at Stade Island (Engineer Group) 118
46. The Voyage Homeward, on board H.M.S. "Dart" (on the Job) 120
47. "The End," Sir Peter Scratchley's Catafalque, on board S.S. "Governor Blackall" 124
48. The Honourable John Douglas, C.M.G., Sir Peter Scratchley's Successor; Captain T. A. Lake, Senior Captain of the A.S.N. Company's Fleet, and

Commander of the S.S. "Governor Blackall" (on one Plate)

126
49. Sir Peter Scratchley, K.C.M.G., and Mr. G. Seymour Fort, Private Secretary (on one Plate) 136
50. Fly River Explorers, Signor Luigi Maria D'Albertis, and Captain H. C. Everill (on one Plate) 168

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1887, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.


The longest-living author of this work died in 1926, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 97 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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