MONCKTON, CHARLES ARTHUR WHITMORE (1872-1936) was the son of Dr F. A. Monckton (q.v.). He was educated at Wanganui College, and in 1895 went to Cooktown, Queensland, in the hope of obtaining employment in the British New Guinea native service. Being unsuccessful at the time, he spent some years prospecting for gold and pearl fishing; returned to New Zealand and studied navigation, and again went to New Guinea as a goldminer. He was appointed to the native service, and for thirty years he carried out the duties of resident magistrate with success, gaining an exceptional knowledge of the native tribes in the interior. For eight years he was engaged in the pursuit of murderers and raiding parties in the Samari district and in governing a portion of north-eastern New Guinea which had hitherto been unadministered. In 1903 he was entrusted with the northern division, which also he reduced to order. In 1906, in face of native opposition, he made an ascent of Mount Albert Edward (13,200 ft). In order to obtain information about gold discoveries he made a dangerous exploration of the Wasia river. He also traversed the territory from Kaiser Wilhelm Land to the gulf of Papua.

Monckton was at different times gold warden, constabulary officer and member of the executive and Legislative Council. On his death (1 Mar 1936) The Times described him as "one who possessed in no small degree the audacity and enterprise of the pioneers who have made the Empire." Monckton was elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Zoological Society and a member of the Royal Central Asian Society. In the Great War he served in India. He wrote Some Experiences of a New Guinea Resident Magistrate (1920), Last Days in New Guinea (1922) and New Guinea Recollections (1934).

Monckton, op. cit. and Polyn. Jour. v, 184; The Times, 2 Mar 1936.

Reference: Volume 2, page 48

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