NEW GUINEA AND THE PAPUANS 
419 
poration with British territory in Australasia was, how¬ 
ever, performed on 4th April, 1883, when Mr. 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 New 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 prohibited; no alienation 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 
