198 Mr. C. B. IJorsbrugli — Journey to British 



owing to tlie assistance given me by way o£ useful 

 introductions from the Zoological Society, I found ray 

 expectations far exceeded in the facilities afforded me for 

 travelling in New Guinea, and, what was more important 

 still, for procuring so many of the rarer birds which I went 

 abroad to seek. I have never met with so much help and 

 kindness as was shown me when I presented my credentials 

 to His Excellency Judge Murray, the Acting Administrator 

 of Papua, and the other Government Officials, who took the 

 greatest interest in my expedition and did their utmost to 

 promote its success. 



Before my departure from England I endeavoured to collect 

 all available information concerning New Guinea, but it did 

 not amount to very much, and two troublesome items — fever 

 and cannibal natives — I was seldom allowed to forget. I 

 left Tilbury Docks on Dec. 20th bound for Sydney in 

 the P. & O. s.s. ' Britannia/ and had ample warnings as 

 regards these matters throughout the trip from my fellow- 

 passengers, who echoed each other's ideas, and drew on their 

 own imaginations to supplement them. I reached Sydney 

 after a most enjoyable voyage on Jan. 31st, and after spending 

 four days in that charming city, fully occupied in getting 

 my stores unloaded and passed through the Customs, I 

 boarded the A. U.S.N, s.s. ' Aramac ' l)ound for Cooktown. 

 Two days w'ere spent en route at Brisbane, and when inspect- 

 ing the museum there I was informed that my companion 

 Mr. Wilfred Stalker, whom I expected to meet in New Guitiea, 

 w'as intending to sail from Brisbane by the 'Aramac' the same 

 day. For obvious reasons it was preferable that I should not 

 travel alone in strange places, and Mr. Stalker, who, before 

 my departure from England, had been employed in collecting 

 mammals and birds for Sir William Ingram in the northern 

 territory of Australia, had been advised by cable to meet 

 me and accompany me to New Guinea. We quickly dis- 

 covered each other at Brisbane, and throughout our travels 

 were the best of companions and friends. 1 shall always 

 entertain a high sense of appreciation and esteem for the 

 plucky and cheerful companion to «hosc help I owe so much. 



