EXPLORATION OF NEW GUINEA.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1415, 11 July 1884, Page 2

EXPLORATION OF NEW GUINEA.

[From the 'Age.'] The expedition entered the mouth of the Macassar River, New Guinea on 9th May, and proceeded northwai'ds, and westwards for f2O miles inland, roughly exploring a large river, draining 10,000 square miles of pastoral country, lightly timbered. ! After leaving the coast we found no traces of the Natives. The party, being too weak for further work, decide i to return to the coast in order to procure the assistance of friendly Natives, if possible, and proceed with exploration to the westward. When close to the mouth of the Macassar River, on the afternoon of the Queen's Birthday, we found the river blocked by twenty-three large war canoes, containing from 1,000 to 1 ,200 Natives. The canoes were ranged across the river and along the sides, somewhat in the form of a crescent, and they advanced to the attack, shouting war songs, blandishing spears and bows, and shouting deaucc. Being unable •to pierce their ranks, as the wind Was against us, we turned up the stream, firing all the time in self-deference, and until nightfall kept the Natives ' from closing in. At . sunset they retreated to the mangroves, waiting for the return of the tide to renew the attack. Our arms had proved useless, and being unable either to resist or retreat successfully, Strachan decided to abandon the boat, which was clones shortely after midnight, when the

canoes were closing in on all sides. We had previously sent off rockets and fireworks, which were answered by signals from the Natives, who were on the alert. We escaped at midnight, our vessel, the Foi, being sent up the stream, sails and helm lashed, to deceive the Natives. We landed in the mangroves, having swamped the dingy. We then proceeded a short distance inland, and at daylight struck southeast for the coast. We travelled all day through cane-brakes with a thick undergrowth, and open, well-grassed plains and lightly-timbered rises. During the next two day a we contiuued eastwards, being unable to cross Brown Kiver.

About mid day on Tuesday, Strachan being unable to go further, we camped for a hour, when we were attacked by a party of Natives, whom we successfully repulsed. During the affray Kenny was wounded in the foot with an arrow. Momentarily expecting to be attacked by the main body of the Natives, we crossed the Brown River, 600 yards wide, with Scott's assistance, the others being too weak to swim. We dressed Kenney's wound and struck southward for the coast, over open plains and timbered rises, used as hunting country by the Natives. We suceeded iv baffling pursuit, and arrived at the coast twelve miles east of Cussa Island on the morning of the 29th May. We marched eastward along the beach, being very weak from want of food, which consisted solely of raw oatmeal. We explored the erars and obtained a few small shell-fish, but suffered greatly from want of water. We camped iv the mangroves for three nights, marching waist-deep in the sea through the day. One night we spent in trees on the edge of the beach in order to escape the malarious influence. On Saturday afternoon we were opposite to, and four miles distant from Saibai, and Scott wished to swim over. We camped at an old war camp, and on Sunday constructed a strong raft of bamboo and spears, which Stewart and Walker carried for three clays. Scott left at mid-day, the tide being in his favor, and .Struchau saw him paddling strogly for more than half-way at which time he seemed to be all right. Nothing further, unfortunately, however, has since been heard of him, and we fear he is lost He had neither foud not water with him.

The party travelled eastward on Monday for four miles, when Straohau and Kenny knocked up. .Stewart and Walker went inland, and succeeded in getting taro and water, with which they returned. We succeeded in lighting a fire by the aid of powder and a burn-ing-glass, and. during Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday we recovered much of our sM'ength. On Tuesday night our signal iires drew attention at Saibai and Doman, We were lecuived ou Wednesday, 4th June, by the Native teachers — Wliiteinan, Gowri«, and Kcariic, from Dowan, and treated with the greatest kind.iess. A search made for .Scott along the coast proved unavailing ; hut the search is still being prosecuted, Strachau'sfeet and legs gay« him severe pain, and it was only with great difficulty that he could be moved. Ou June 6 the friendly Natives took us to Mabr.ie, where Captain and Mrs Brown offered us every assistance and brought us to Thursday Island on June 9, where we are now awaiting the steamer from the south. During the coast march we bridged three fresh-water rivers and traversed over eighty miles. Altogether we have travelled in New Guinea, on rivers and land, about GOO miles. The. Natives who attacked us and captured our boat are black Papuans and cannibals from the neighborhood of Daruga. They are on their annual journey eastward in search of human victims. Iv past years they have depopulated 100 miles of coast, and are now on the road to attack Saibai. Mr Chester followed them. As soon as the Government schooner Mavis arrives ho intends following the Natives and punishing them.

The loader of the expedition adds : "During the trip we traversed over 800 miles in the interior of New Guinea, and discovered and practically explored twelve new rivers, many of them very large and deep. The country is, as a rule, healthy after leaving the coast, and the timber heavy and valuable, mostly blackwood, of splendid growth. The soil is generally good dark vegetable mould or chocolate soil, while the plains would ma"ke splendid cattle country. There are no inhabitants in the interior ; and for ninety miles along the coast the men from the west, whom we met on the war path, have eaten them all off, leaving no one to tell the tale. • v cott was one of the best and most useful men of the party, aud his loss is deeply deplored. Theiv, is a possibility of his turning up to the eastward."