Papua New Guinea Historic Photographs

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/1885/271542

A series of 30 pictures in "Papua and New Guinea", an information folder prepared and published by the Department of Territories, Canberra, under the authority of the Hon. Paul Hasluck, M.P., Minister for Territories.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 30

Open Access
An exhibition preparing to set out from Port Moresby
Photographer: Unknown
An exhibition preparing to set out from Port Moresby in 1885 for the crest of the Owen Stanley Ranges. Port Moresby was discovered and named by Captain John Moresby, R.N., in 1873. The next year, the first permanent mission station on the island of New Guinea was established there by the Rev. W.G. Lawes of the London Missionary Society. By 1855, with a European population of about 70, Port Moresby was also a Government station and developed as the administrative centre of British New Guinea and, from 1906 (when Commonwealth took over full control of the Territory from Britain and changed its name) of the Australian Territory of Papua. It is now the capital of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
Metadata only
Port Moresby
Photographer: Unknown
Port Moresby, capital and administrative centre of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, is only about 524 miles form Cairns in North Queensland. Sprawled along the hills above the eastern and northern shores of an almost-landlocked harbour, it is the home of about 4,200 Europeans and 14,000 native people who live in villages on its outskirts. On arriving in Port Moresby in 1904, Sir Hubert (then Judge) Murray wrote that it "consisted of about a dozen huts which pride of ownership permitted the inhabitants to call homes, and five erections of timber and galvanized iron in which the Government departments functioned". During the 1939-1945 war, Port Moresby sustained over 100 air raids: in 1942 and early 1943 it was the main forward base in the South West Pacific for operations against the Japanese.
Open Access
A German Medical Officer at Herbertshobe
Photographer: Unknown
A German Medical Officer at Herbertshobe (about 18 miles from Rabaul and now known as Kokopo. To meet Europeans demands for coconut oil, German firms began trading for copra in the New Guinea islands in the 1870's. Ten days after Britain had established a protectorate over the south-east portion of the main island and the adjacent islands on 6th November, 1884 (the Dutch having already claimed the western half), Germany formally took possession of the "north coast and the Bismarck Archipelago". Boundaries were ratified in June, 1885. The Germans established missions, developed copra on a large scale, and established minor plantings of cotton and coffee. Australian troops landed at Rabaul on 11th September, 1914, and an Australian military administration over what had been German New Guinea was established soon afterwards. In 1921 Australia was given a mandate by the League of Nations over the former German possessions in the area. On 13th December, 1946, the former mandated Territory was voluntarily placed under the United Nations Trusteeship system, and combined in an administrative union with Papua.
Open Access
Rabaul
Photographer: Unknown
Rabaul, at the head of land-locked Simpson Harbour, is located on the northernmost extremity of the island of New Britain. It was formerly the capital of German New Guinea and subsequently of the Australian Mandated Territory. In 1937, the volcanoes Matupi and Vulcan erupted. Following a period of uncertainty after the war, the Government decided in 1952 that the town should be rebuilt on the old site and safety precautions taken by providing a close watch on the volcano, a system of warnings, and escape routes. Since then the town has developed rapidly. In the Rabaul area there are some 1,800 Europeans, 2,000 Chinese, and over 31,000 natives.
Open Access
Shaggy Ridge, Finisterre Ranges
Photographer: Unknown
Throughout the war the Australian and Allied forces in New Guinea had the assistance of a military administrative service, the Australian and New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) which consisted of former members of the public services of Papua and New Guinea, pre-war residents, and other specially qualified persons. ANGAU maintained law and order in areas not under enemy occupation, regulated native labour for use by the forces, and re-established native welfare services. During the war over 3,000 natives served in the Royal Papuan Constabulary and the wartime peak of native labour was 37,500. In addition, 4,400 natives enlisted in the Papua or New Guinea Infantry Battalions or served with sections of the Allied Intelligence Bureau. Between them they won more than 300 awards for bravery and meritorious service. [NB: This photo is of Shaggy Ridge, Finisterre Ranges and is part of the AWM collection (ID Number: 064260) The caption states: Shaggy Ridge, Finisterre Ranges, New Guinea. Members of 'A' Company, 2/9th infantry battalion digging in at "Green Sniper's Pimple" after the Japanese forces had been driven back during the battle for Shaggy Ridge.]
Open Access
A village scene in the Trobriand Islands
Photographer: Unknown
A village scene in the Trobriand Islands, which are part of Papua. The decorated building is a food storehouse. The native people of Papua and New Guinea total about1,880,000. There are many types of people, differing in appearance, in temperament, and in customs. They live in villages or hamlets scattered through a country of bush-clad mountains, turbulent rivers, fertile plateau, vast sago swamps and tropical lowlands. Before European influence, scattered tribes often fought with each other; over 500 different languages were spoken. Many of their native customs were repugnant to our ideas of humanity. Magic was practiced widely, and there were some primitive forms of religion.
Open Access
Native Papuans harvesting taro crops
Photographer: Unknown
In their primitive state, the native people devote a great deal of effort to subsistence gardening. Cash crops of copra, cocoa beans, and coffee now attract much of their attention, but plots of taro, like this or crops such as yams, sweet potatoes, and breadfruit, according to environment and altitude, provide their staple food and bind many of them to the soil. Both men and women work in the garage, the men clearing the sites and doing the heaviest work, with both sexes co-operating in planting, maintenance, and harvesting. In some swamp areas sago is gathered. Food obtained from gardens is supplemented by hunting and fishing. Pigs are kept but, since they are a mark of wealth and prestige, much of their importance is ceremonial. Investigations are in progress into ways and means by which pig raising can be directed towards improvement in the natural diet.
Open Access
An aerial view of Lake Murray
Photographer: Unknown
An aerial view of Lake Murray, 185 miles north of Daru in the Western District of Papua, and five days journey up the Fly River by boat from Daru. The lake area has a population of about 1,200 Papuans who gain a subsistence livelihood by fishing from the lake, hunting, cultivating small gardens, and making sago from wild sago stems. The lake covers some 200 square miles and the water level rises from 20 to 30 feet during the rainy season.
Open Access
An administrative patrol moving along a ridge in the Chuave area
Photographer: Unknown
An administrative patrol moving along a ridge in the Chuave area of the Eastern Highlands. Because of the rugged terrain of the greater part of the Territory the native people in the past lived in relative isolation from each other in mutually-hostile villages or groups of villages. Establishing peace, order and good government among these people begins with the Administrative patrol. Patrols travelled on foot over country often incredibly rugged and difficult of access. No part of the Territory is now unknown and at 30th June, 1960, about 86 per cent of the total area of 183,540 square miles was under Administration control, 11 per cent was under Administration influence, and only the remaining 3 per cent, was classified as merely "penetrated by patrols".
Open Access
A Norseman aircraft dropping medical supplies to a patrol camp near Lake Kopiago
Photographer: Unknown
A Norseman aircraft dropping medical supplies to a patrol camp near Lake Kopiago. (The usually large numbers of buildings were erected to house 30 sick carriers). When law and order is being brought to an area, the first permanent Administration establishment is a patrol post which usually has an airstrip for light aircraft and radio communication with headquarters. In 1949, 24 patrol posts had been established; by June, 1960, that number had increased to 60 and to bring the whole of the Territory under administration control by 31st December, 1963, an additional 18 patrol posts will be established. Health activities quickly follow the first patrol; agricultural assistance in various forms, and then schools, are established to begin the processes of formal education. So the process of development is built on the first patrol.
Open Access
The administration station at Tapini
Photographer: Unknown
The administration station at Tapini is in the mountains of central Papua, 45 minutes by air from Port Moresby. The airstrip serving the station is bounded at one end by mountains and at the other by a valley falling away some 2,000 feet. Sharply-confined airstrips such as this, roads clinging tenuously to mountainsides, and foot-tracks zig-zagging up precipitous slopes exemplify the difficulties of travel in the Territory. Elsewhere, in highly-developed urban areas, there are road systems and modern aerodromes carrying considerable volumes of traffic. Because of the difficulties of making roads and building bridges, air transport, which contributed so much to the opening up of the Territory, will continue as a major form of transport.
Unknown
The Madang Hospital
Photographer: Unknown
The Madang Hospital, opened in April, 1961, is a modern structure which cost £662,000. Disease in the Territory follows a pattern that is typical in underdeveloped areas of the tropics. During 1959-60, 287 medical patrols were carried out during which 369,066 people in 2,930 villages were examined. Malaria, malnutrition, tuberculosis, yaws, and leprosy were relatively common before European influence. The toll from these diseases has been greatly reduced; some diseases, like yaws, have been practically eradicated. In June, 1949, there were 258 village aid posts. By June, 1960, that number had increased to 1,267. Aeroplanes are used extensively to bring natives from the more remote areas to medical centres for treatment.
Unknown
A modern ambulance and welfare station at Rabaul
Photographer: Unknown
A modern ambulance and welfare station at Rabaul, New Britain. Between June, 1949 and June, 1960, the number of maternity and child welfare clinics rose from 60 to 401, serving 1,612 villages. Through these services, native women are learning that they, too, can play an important part in the welfare and advancement of their people. The Administration is also taking vigorous action along other lines to encourage the advancement of women has been established, with sub-committees in most districts, and 157 women's clubs have been developed. Women may vote in Native Local Government Council elections and in December, 1960, nine women were serving as councillors.
Unknown
The operating theatre at Samarai Administration Hospital
Photographer: Unknown
The operating theatre at Samarai Administration Hospital. Between 1949 and 1960 the number of Medical Personnel employed by the Department of Health increased from 1,526 to 3,624. At 30th June, 1960, there were in the Territory 4,569 medical personnel, including 3,786 native medical workers of whom 3,092 were employed by the Administration. Until 1959, native trainees were sent to the central Medical School, Suva, for training as Native Medical practitioners. Since then training has been available at the new Medical School at Port Moresby. In April, 1961, 217 native trainees were being trained as Assistant Medical Practitioners, Assistant Dental Practitioners and in auxiliary health fields. At 30th June, 1960, Administration hospitals had been established at 104 centres and Mission hospitals at 101 centres. During 1959-60 the Department of Public Health, the Missions and the Native Local Government Councils spent a total of £3,604,608 on health services. Of this sum the Department of Public Health provided £3,450,291.
Unknown
An Administration primary school
Photographer: Unknown
An Administration primary school. At 30th June, 1960, 18,442 native pupils were enrolled in 237 Administration primary schools and a further 172,000 in mission schools. At the same date a further 1,601 native students were attending post primary schools, 576 were attending technical training centres, 100 were at Administration secondary schools in the Territory, 69 were at secondary schools in Australia and 120 students were at Mission secondary schools. In addition to formal education many forms of vocational training are available, such as the Native Apprenticeship Scheme through which about 200 youths are receiving training, and the Auxiliary Division of the Public Service, in which 351 native persons were being trained at 30th June, 1960.
Unknown
A classroom in a mission school at Menyamya
Photographer: Unknown
A classroom in a mission school at Menyamya in New Guinea. The first permanent Mission station was established by the London Missionary Society at Port Moresby in Papua in 1874, some 30 years after Catholic missionary attempts in the Trobriand Islands. At 30th June, 1960, there were 1,905 non-indigenous missionaries belonging to 42 mission groups working in the Territory. At the same date, 906,274 native adherents were claimed. In addition to their spiritual work, the Missions, assisted by Government subsidies totaling £547,325 in 1960-61, provide education and medical facilities for many of the native people. In June, 1960, about 4,752 teachers in 3,627 mission schools were catering for 173,733 native pupils. Although, for the most part, instruction is not at a high level (despite a great efficiency in certain individual schools) the missions are making vigorous efforts to raise the general standards of their schools. A great deal has already been achieved to this end.
Unknown
The Ela Beach Pre-school Centre at Port Moresby
Photographer: Unknown
The Ela Beach Pre-school Centre at Port Moresby is one of sixteen such centres for non-indigenous children established since 1952 as joint parent-Government ventures. The Pre-school Supervisor appointed by the Administration, in addition to having overall supervision of these centres, is al the same time developing pre-school education for native children. This is being done through experimental centres and through demonstration and training of native girls in the techniques of pre-school education. Primary schools of the normal Australian type for non-indigenous children are established by the Administration at all centres where there are sufficient enrolments. At 30th June, 1960, there were 50 such schools, with 1,986 pupils (see Picture 15 for details of native education). Until problems arising from differing backgrounds and language difficulties are overcome, separate schools for native and European children are a necessary interim measure. Secondary schools, which will be open to qualified students of all races, have been opened at Port Moresby and Rabaul. Children of Territory residents also receive an allowance of £145 per annum plus annual return air fares if they attend secondary schools in Australia.
Unknown
An electoral college in the Mt Hagen district
Photographer: Unknown
An electoral college in the Mt Hagen district. Prior to the opening of the reconstituted Legislative Council on 10th April, 1961, members of 39 Local Government Councils chose 220 representatives while 33 electoral groups of advanced peoples selected 144 representatives to form electoral colleges of 364 members. By a simple majority vote of this number in six electorates, six representatives of the native people were elected to seats in the Legislative Council. Ultimately Council members will be elected by universal vote, but because of geographical and social difficulties and the nature and scope of the native electoral consciousness, the method of election at present is that of electoral colleges.
Unknown
The polling booth for the General Highlands at Goroka
Photographer: Unknown
The polling booth for the General Highlands at Goroka on 18th March, 1961. At six central points throughout the Territory of Papua and New Guinea hundreds of voting representatives listened for four days to policy speeches by the 108 candidates standing for election to the Legislative Council. Voting representatives at each centre were instructed in the ballot system and each representative in turn completed a ballot paper and placed it in the ballot box. The successful candidate at Goroka was Kondom Agaundo, who took his seat in the Legislative Council on 10th April, 1961, with five other elected native members: John Guise (Eastern Papua), Simoi Paradi (Westren Papua), Somu Sigob (New Guinea Coastal), Nicholas Brokam (New Guinea Islands) and Vin Tobaining (New Britain). There are also six elected non-native members.
Unknown
A meeting of the Hanuabada Native Local Government Council near Port Moresby
Photographer: Unknown
A meeting of the Hanuabada Native Local Government Council near Port Moresby. One in Papua and representing about 2,500 people through 17 elected Councillors, Hanuabada, proclaimed in September, 1950, was the first council in the Territory. In May, 1961, there were 43 councils, with 1,221 elected Councillors, representing almost 305,395 people. The native people are also represented on Town and Advisory Councils and on 10th April, 1961, six elected native members took their seats in a reconstituted Legislative Council together with six appointed native members. Native participation in economic development is also increasing rapidly; at 31st March, 1961, there were 218 native co-operative societies, 13 associations and one federation with a total membership of 74,140 in operation. One of the purposes of co-operatives is to enable the native people to acquire practical knowledge and experience in managing their own economic enterprises. With Administration assistance and supervision native leaders and officials are gradually assuming positions of greater responsibility.