Ian Downs (1915- ) joined the Department of District Services in the Territory of New Guinea in 1936 and, as a patrol officer, served in most districts. After wartime naval service, he returned to the Territory as a district officer and later served as District Commissioner in the New Ireland, Madang and Eastern Highlands districts. He resigned from the Administration in 1956 and became a coffee planter near Goroka. He was president of the Highland Farmers and Settlers' Association from 1957 to 1968 and a member of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea in the same period.

The papers comprise:

1. Patrol reports in Morobe, Madang and New Ireland districts, 1936-49
2. Annual reports, Chimbu sub-district, 1939-40
3. Monthly reports, Chimbu sub-district, 1939-40
4. Census figures, New Ireland district, c.1949. See also PMB 609