66 



and will seldom find any provision for crossing the numerous creeks 

 and rivers on his way. There is also a fine assortment of venomous 

 and dangerous creatures in this island. Sharks abound along the 

 coast, alligators infest the creeks and rivers, snakes in abundance 

 and of many varieties are to be met with all over the country, there 

 are hosts of scorpions and centipedes about the houses, and lastly, 

 but by no means the least in degree of annoyance, the mosquitoes 

 must be taken into account, for these ravenous insects are a terrible 

 plague and are the worst cannibals in New Guinea. Then there is 

 the almost universal penalty of fever, which is of a seveie character 

 and is nearly everywhere prevalent. Regarding this, the lecturer 

 said that when he was on his way to New Guinea he was told by 

 some of his friends in Australia that he must take whisky. He 

 asked why? and was told " on account of the fever." But as he 

 had been told that everybody who went to New Guinea took fever, 

 it was evident that the whisky was not of much value as a preventa- 

 tive. As a matter of fact, when he went to New Guinea he did not 

 take whisky and he did not take fever. He said that should a man 

 who is a total abstainer take fever, he was convinced that he is 

 physically better fitted to resist its attacks than the man who is not, 

 and that he is much less liable to other diseases. 



The lecturer referred to the Courts which have been established, 

 before which European and native alike may find equal and just 

 treatment, and to the native force of armed constabulary, which is 

 very popular. He said that the prison system has proved a most 

 valuable school, in which the prisoner has been raised, and not 

 lowered. Another difficulty attending travelling is the large number 

 of different languages, with their multiplicity of dialects. Among 

 them the Motu language is the most advanced, and illustrations 

 were given of some very interesting expressions. 



After referring to the beauty of the approach to Port Moresby, 

 the harbour, the villages, and the surrounding country were 

 described. Much was then learned of the men, their dress and 

 decorations, and the costume and ornaments of the women; the 

 process of tattooing was explained, and the arrangements for 

 marriage were mentioned. Specimens of native architecture were 

 shown, and in some of the villages it was seen that the picturesque 

 effect of the graceful palms has been well utilised. In one picture 

 was to be seen a marine village built out in the lagoon, and in 

 another some of the houses which are constructed in the highest 

 trees. Reference was made to the arrangements for burial and 

 mourning. The weapons of the natives were mentioned and described, 

 also their charms, and attention was directed to the manufacture of 

 native pottery and to the various types of canoes. The method of 

 harpooning the dugong was explained, also the way in which the 

 natives shoot fish with their bows and arrows. Particulars were 

 then given of a dangerous voyage with cannibal companions, also of 

 a narrow escape from a shark. Explorations of several of the rivers 

 were referred to, and the lecturer said it was impossible adequately 

 to describe the beauties of the river scenery. Though New Guinea 



