This book is rare. The Departmental Standing Instructions were issued to Patrol Officers to assist them to undertake their work in Papua New Guinea. Patrol Officers worked in the field with indigenous people in the administration of Districts. The intention of the publication was to present instructions and advice in a concise and consolidated form.

The first volume encompasses the wide range of duties and tasks carried out by the Department of Native Affairs. As situations changed and stages of development progressed, separate memoranda were issued and Officers were instructed to interleave new instructions into the existing publication. In 1970 there had been so many changes in the conditions and circumstances of the Patrol Officers job that the Department decided to issue a revised, second edition.

Between 1962 and 1970 the Department underwent two reorganisations: from the Department of Native Affairs to the Department of District Administration, to the Division of District Administration within the Department of Administrator.

Departmental Standing Instructions, General Field Administration Vol.1, 1962, with updates, and General Field Administration Vol.1, Revised 2nd edition, 1970.
See Finding aids for details.