Cirrus@Austlit

'Some aspects of the story of the Kangaroo commanded by Lieutenant Charles Jeffreys have been told by Reg C, Wright and J. C. H. Gill. The time from arrival in New South Wales to Jeffreys' death in Tasmania has been covered. However, events from Jeffreys' appointment as commander to sailing from England do not appear to be the subject of published research. Governor Lachlan Macquarie found both Jeffreys and the ship unsuitable for colonial work. Macquarie judged him inactive and negligent in his command, adding that he was 'a Vain, Conceited, Ignorant Young Man, and totally unfit for such Command'. Events in Australia seem to justify these harsh words. Further light is thrown on the character and competence of Jeffreys by events before sailing and closer examination of some aspects of the voyage to Sydney, allowing a more complete assessment as to whether Macquarie was right.' (Introduction)

'The inspiration for this paper began with finding (in an otherwise unremarkable box of books) a Christian missionary publication, Mer - Four Gospels, published in 1902 by the British and Foreign Bible Society. It is a translation of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John into Meriam language of the island of Mer in the Torres Strait.' (Introduction)