198 Mr. C. B. Horsbrugh —Journey to British 
owing to the assistance given me by way of useful 
introductions from the Zoological Society, I found my 
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. f Aramac ’ bound for Cooktown. 
Two days were 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 Guinea, 
was 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. I shall always 
entertain a high sense of appreciation and esteem for the 
plucky and cheerful companion to whose help I owe so much. 
