Queensland - Colonial: 1860-1900.
Posted telegram from British New Guinea.

The first telegraph line in Queensland was constructed to New South Wales and opened in 1861.

Lines were extended to the North and West of the Colony as quickly as possible. In the far north, lines were constructed from Cairns and from Cooktown to Cape York starting in about 1875. The final line to Cape York was completed in August 1887. The Telegraph Station at Cape York replaced the Patterson Telegraph Office in 1894. There was no telegraph link across to New Guinea for many years.

Gary Watson wrote in his October 2012 Prestige Philately Auction 176 catalogue:

"Sir George Ruthven Le Hunt succeeded MacGregor as Lieutenant-Governor in 1899. He supported the "civilising influence" of the missions.
When LMS missionaries James Chalmmers and Oliver Tomkins were killed and eaten, Le Hunte led the force that kiled some 24 Goaiburi,
burned their ceremonial houses and smashed their war canoes.

The LMS praised his "moderation" and "humanity" and, in 1903, he was appointed Governor of South Australia".

The following cover is unique both for its purpose and context.


Cover sent to the Deputy Postmaster General at the G.P.O. Sydney.
In the top left, the cover is endorsed "By LMS SS John Williams and then underneath TELEGRAPH ENCLOSED.
In the lower left corner, the cover is endorsed "GR Le H/ Lt Govr BNG".
A 2d blue Four Figures is tied by a 9 bars BNG cancel.
There is an unenclosed 26 mm SAMARAI/BNG cds of 29 March 1900.

Provenance: Presige Philately Sale 176, October 2012, Lot 801.
Provenance: Johnstone.


The flap has a sharp peak and curved sides.
There is an embossed Crown over B.N.G. on the flap
and a Sydney arrival backstamp of 7 April 1900.
The security design inside has text:

- on the flap - W. T. & CO. 1011 ENGLISH BANK;
- inside - THOMSON'S PATENT (on each side).