J.K. McCarthy (1905- ) joined the pre-war New Guinea Administration as a patrol officer in 1927 and served in New Britain, Morobe and Sepik districts. After war service with the Coastwatchers and ANGAU in New Guinea, and also in Borneo and Sarawak, he rejoined the Administration as District Officer, Madang in 1947. He was subsequently District Commissioner Rabaul and director of Native Affairs (later District Administration) 1960-68. His autobiography Patrol into Yesterday was published in 1963.

The papers comprise:

1. Court papers, 1927
2. Malutu and Talasea patrol reports, 1927-29
3. Ambunti and Marienberg patrol reports, 1930-32
4. Land investigations, New Ireland, 1932
5. Kukukuku-Menyamya patrols, 1933
6. Native labour inspections, 1933
7. Rai Coast and Karkar Island patrol reports, 1934-35
8. Sepik River exploration (accompanying Administrator), 1935
9. Wewak patrol reports, 1935
10. Aitape patrol reports, 1936-37
11. Report on tour of Netherlands New Guinea, 1952
12. Central Nakanai patrol report by J.B. Mackay, 1926
13. Chimbu-Wahgi correspondence, 1936 (C.D. Bates) 1937 (A.F. Kyle)