NKW GUINEA AND THE PAPUANS 419 



poratioii with British territory in Australasia was, how- 

 ever, performed on 4th April, 1883, when ]\Ir. Chester, 

 acting under the instructions of the Premier of Queens- 

 land, took possession of the eastern part of the island in 

 the name of the Queen. The home Government, never- 

 theless, did not see fit to confirm this annexation, and it 

 was annulled ; but difficulties having subsequently arisen 

 with regard to the action of Germany in Papuan waters, 

 it was resolved in 1884 to make the south-eastern 

 portion British, and in November of that year Commo- 

 dore Erskine proclaimed it a protectorate. Sir Peter 

 Scratchley was appointed Special Commissioner, but fell 

 an early victim to the effects of the climate, and it was 

 not until 1886 that the Anglo-German boundaries were 

 finally agreed upon. On 4th September, 1888, the pro- 

 tectorate was constituted a colony under an Adminis- 

 trator, subordinate to the Governor of Queensland ; this 

 colony, Victoria, and Xew South Wales guaranteeing 

 £15,000 per annum towards the cost of administration. 

 The area of territory thus acquired is believed to be 

 about 63,000, and with the islands 86,000, square miles. 

 The laws of Queensland have, with a few slight altera- 

 tions, been instituted. The sale of firearms, powder, and 

 intoxicants is prohiljited ; no ahenation of land from 

 the natives is permitted, and until 1892 the labour 

 traffic as it formerly existed was forbidden, the removal 

 of natives from their own district being contrary to law ; 

 but from this date, under certain restrictions, the natives 

 can be hired for labour in any part of the possession. 

 Under the Administrator is a small Executive Council of 

 not less than two persons, and there is an armed con- 

 stabulary composed of natives, Solomon Islanders, and 

 Fijians. The capital and seat of Government is at Port 

 Moresby, in the central district ; the western division is 



