His consent was readily given. Our first object was to obtain native labour.
I was instrumental in procuring the services of a number of natives from various parts on the mainland and the neighbouring islands.
We engaged them for one moon (one month), supplying them with the necessary tools, such as axes, half-axes, hatchets, etc.
According to our instructions, a small house was built by the natives of the village, to be used by us as a depôt for tools, provisions, etc.
Forty natives were engaged for one month, and those who wished to do so could renew their agreement for a further period.
The natives, I may state, are very fair axe-men, as it is work they are accustomed to. The first thing to be done was to form a nursery. For this purpose the slope of a hill, about an acre in extent, was cleared, nothing but a few of the larger stumps being left to rot in the ground. The natives worked well and hard, and accomplished the first part of their task in a creditable manner.
In the nursery we placed several thousand coffee plants for future transplantation. We next had ten acres cleared as a nucleus of the plantation proper.
At the time of my departure from New Guinea, the plants in the "Nursery" had a healthy appearance. In addition to these large quantities of coffee seed had been sown. The results of the experiment cannot, at present, be estimated, as three years must elapse before the first crop appears. Should the venture turn out a success, it will undoubtedly be followed by many others.
The promoter of it has had considerable experience in working the natives of New Guinea, and is looked up to by them, so that he has a considerable advantage over any newcomers.
I have received no news from that part of the world for the past six months, and therefore am not in a position to form an opinion of the progress that has been made.