Law

From the Middle Temple to the South Seas – Alexander – First Edition 1927

A most unusual book, first edition published by Murray, London in 1927. Large octavo, 287 pages in pretty good condition just some ageing to page edges

The author Gilchrist Alexander was a Scottish Barrister who practiced out of the Middle Temple London. After 20 years of perhaps “not enough briefs” he accepted the role as the first Chief police Magistrate in Fiji.

The first chapter is about his conventional career. In Fiji activity takes on a more interesting shape with absconding defendants, piracy, blackbirding and headhunters. The narrative interspersed with observations mainly in Fiji but also the New Hebrides. Nicely illustrated with 25 photographic images.

Unusual account of a legal mind in Fiji

$40.00

Updating cart…

No Image Available

New Guinea, Annual Report – 1890 – (Includes exploration of the Fly River, Daumori Regions and Misima Island with Maps and Extensive Analysis of Language and Dialect)

The nicely bound edition of the Annual Report on British New Guinea, from July 1889, to 30th June 1890, with appendices. A very early and comprehensive report.

Over approximately 140 pages, and with several accompanying fold-out maps, this annual report examines the year from a number of perspectives including; legislation re ordinances passed and their detail; administration of justice, including courts constituted and remarks on some cases dealt with by the Central Court; administrative visits of inspection, including the ascent of the Fly River, visit to Island of Daumori and a visit to Misima and Tagula; government property, including purchases and acquisitions; establishments, including officers and their salaries; trade, exports, shipping and postal; mission work; land, including a specific European settlement strategy; finance, revenue, expenditure and balance to credit of Protectorate; native dialects, including, amongst many others, Kiwai and Boigu, Misima, Tagula, Sariba and Awaiama, and; scientific results including botanical, zoological, ornithological and coleopterae.

This plethora of vital contemporary information is accompanied by; a large fold-out sketch map of Cloudy Bay; a large fold-out sketch map of Kiwai and adjoining islands of the Fly River; a large fold-out detailed map of the Fly River; a large fold-out rough sketch of 200 miles of the western portion of British New Guinea, including rivers, compiled from surveys and exploration by the Government of British New Guinea, 14th February to 17th March, 1890; a very large fold-out rough sketch plan of St. Joseph District, British New Guinea, from a map by Bishop Verjus, Admiralty charts and observations in the district, and; a large fold-out rough sketch plan of Hall Sound & Yule Island, showing mouths of St. Joseph and Bioto Rivers.

An incredibly in depth examination of New Guinea in 1890.

$340.00

Updating cart…

Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

Report (accompanied by a massive map) by the Minister of State for Defence on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possessions, published by the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1922.

Contains a report examining the position in the Pacific at the commencement of WWI, and the dispatch of the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force. The report examines, the movement and nature of both the German and Australian fleets around New Guinea, from the outbreak of war on 4th August, 1914. The report includes a description of the territory, the northwest Pacific Expedition, laws in force in the territory and the administration of justice, administration of native affairs, a brief examination of tropical medicine, territory revenues and tropical agriculture including currency and coinage, costs of administration and policy in regard to German nationals.

Nicely bound, by a later collector with gilt title to front spine.

The map, with dimensions of about 150x150cm (see accompanying photograph) is in colour and comprising the New Guinea mainland, New Britain and surrounding islands and the tip of Cape York. Very detailed. It represents the pre-war position and although undated likely comes from circa 1910. It is an exceptional map of the period the value of which more than underpins this item

$190.00

Updating cart…

“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

This detailed inquiry considers the facts of the ‘Jason‘ case.

Capt. John William Coath, master of the Jason was convicted of kidnapping nine men a short distance from the island of Api and removing them to Maryborough, Queensland, taking them by force out of a canoe, which was afterword hauled aboard the boat and destroyed.

The inquiry results from a petition put forward by 390 men for the remission of Capt. Coath’s sentence, five years imprisonment in Brisbane Gaol. The petition consists of correspondence and testimony under the Oath’s Act 1867 from crewmen and from two of the alleged kidnapping victims.

$60.00

Updating cart…

From the Middle Temple to the South Seas – Alexander – First Edition 1927

New Guinea, Annual Report – 1890 – (Includes exploration of the Fly River, Daumori Regions and Misima Island with Maps and Extensive Analysis of Language and Dialect)

Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

Product Categories