Grammar and vocabulary of language spoken by Motu tribe, New Guinea ; by Rev. W. G. Lawes,

with introduction by Rev. Geo. Pratt. Sydney : Thomas Richards, Government printer, 1885. First edition. Octavo, contemporary straight grain navy morocco, upper board lettered in gilt (corners bumped, spine scuffed and a little worn at head and tail), pp i-x (Introduction), 1-18 (Grammar), 19-57 (English-Motu Vocabulary), [58 blank], 59-108 (Motu-English); bright and clean, a very good copy; from The Papuan Collection of Charles Fletcher (Melbourne), his bookplate to the front pastedown; rear endpaper with earlier Webster Collection stamp. Ferguson, 11485.

Reverend William George Lawes (1839-1907) of the London Missionary Society and his family became the first permanent European residents of Papua when they settled in Port Moresby in 1874. Lawes became an expert in the Motu language, and his knowledge of indigenous peoples and customs saw him appointed as advisor to the colonial governor Sir Peter Scratchley.