s directed me
to proclaim such protection in a formal manner at this place,--now I,
James Elphinstone Erskine, Captain in the Royal Navy and Commodore of the
Australian Station, one of Her Majesty's naval aides-de-camp, do hereby,
in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty, declare and proclaim the
establishment of such protectorate over such portions of the coast and
the adjacent islands as is more particularly described in the schedule
hereunto annexed; and I hereby proclaim and declare that no acquisition
of land, whensoever or howsoever acquired, within the limits of the
protectorate hereby established will be recognized by Her Majesty; and I
do hereby, on behalf of Her Majesty, command and enjoin all persons whom
it may concern to take notice of this proclamation.

"SCHEDULE.

"All that portion of the southern shores of New Guinea commencing from
the boundary of that portion of the country claimed by the Government
of the Netherlands on the 141st meridian of east longitude to East
Cape, with all the islands adjacent thereto south of East Cape to
Kosmann Island inclusive, together with the islands in the Goschen
Straits.

"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 open