NEW GUINEA EXPEDITION

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1631, 25 November 1885, Page 2

NEW GUINEA EXPEDITION

The Melbourne papci'B to hand give full particulars of the organisation of the expedition, and we make the following extracts : —

The exploration of New Guinea was naturally one of the first objects which engaged the attention of the Geographical Society of Australasia, which is still in its infancy. During 1883 and 1884 the subject was frequently mooted, luit it was not till towards the close of last year, when public attention was so strongly directed to the island, that the scheme assumed a definite shape. The council had already received promises of pecuniary assistance from several of the Colonial Governments. New South Wales gave £2000, Victoria £1000, and Queens land £1000, so that a sum of £4000 was available for the exploration.

Henry Charles Everill, the leader of the expedition, was 38 year 9of age, and had an extousive maritime experience, having commanded an E<^t Indiaman. H« had travelled a great deal, and was adle to speak the Malay language fluently, having Keen for some time a planter in Sumatra.

Dr J. W. Haacke, the chief scientist; of the expedition, was 30 years of age. He filled the posts of first assistant nt the Zoological Institute of the Univer sitv of Jena, and first assistant at the

.. . Jk . Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, both in Germany. In New Zealand, he worked for Professor Parker at the Otago Museum, Dunedin, and for Dr Hnast, at the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch. Dr Haast, wan . some time in charge of the South Australian Museum.

Sidney A. Bernays, M.D., the snrgfon, was for gom* time in practice in Melbourne. His father is professor of

chemistry at St. Genre's Hospital, London. Dr Bernays was 32 years of age, and was regarded as a scientist of no wean order, botany being his specialty. Godfrey Hemsworth, aped 28, of Brisbane, tilled the post of nautical sub-leader. R. Getliin CreAgh, aged 33, of the Manning River, filled the post of subleader on land. He was 6ft Sin high, with a strong constitution, having, it is said, never known serious persona) ill health. He had had many years' experience of exploring, and in taking op and stocking new country in Quantslaiid, South Australia, and Nnw Zealand.

James H. Shaw, aged 27, of Bydaey was a most enthusiastic explorer. He was 18 months in New Guinea with the exp«ditiou of Mr Andrew Groldie, and spout a further six months with another party, of which, unfortunately,, he was the sole survivor. He had great experience of river navigation, having siied between 800J aiH 4009 miles in a R>b Boy caaoe on AjistraMan rivers. The special duties assigned to him were those of a photographer and general assistant to the leader. Walter W. Frqggatt, of Sandhurst Victoria, filled the post of special zoological collector and assistant to Dr Haatke. He was 27 years of age, and unmarried, j Wiliicim Baiierlen, aged 40, of ; Sydney, was the special botanical I coi lector. He had l*ct:n employed ii j tin's capacity by Baron von Mueller B-riaerlen was a native of Wurtewberg, I and nnmarried. j A. Hasting W. Senior, agrd 28, of LUniore. N.S.W., was a licensed, surveyor, employed in the department !of surveyor -general, and had h^n ! some voar at sea,

Arthur J. V..<jfin, nrred 2Ct. of N<*w Zealand, was allowed to join the expedition at the very last moment. He had many nseful accomplishments — was an artist, understood photography, taxidermy, building lints, and every species of bush work. H<? not only offered to go as a volunteer, bit tendered a subscription of £25 to the exploring fund. The subscription was declined but Mr Vo^an was appointed a snpernuiuary at a nominal salary. Mr Voya i had p oviJed himself with a fir*' class personal equipment. Witliam M'Oi.-ch:in t Bged 22, the engineer of the steam hmtich, specially selected by Captain Everille, had already proved liims-lf a good mm. In the bad weather that overtook the Bonito while on the way to Brisbane, kept to his work, almost without arest> for three days and three nights. With regard to the Natives of the Fly ttiver they have the. character of Wing the most treacherous of cannibals, sr.cl tht-ir totftl ignorance of the real design of the exp'oving steamer, which in itself would be an object of apprehension to many of them, might lead thorn to many desperate acts, The "Vagabond" says:— From the instructions given by the society, which I know the captain intended faithfully carrying out, I can see a possibility of the Natives tiecouaing »>old and insoleut, till, loosing all fear, they made a sudden deadly attack. "Avoid all' complications and hostilities with the Natives was dinned into Captain EverilFs ear." In the long run th« better advice might be, " Shoot the first man dead who is insolent. Strike terror into the sonls of the Natives. Make the white face respected. Bnt if yon fire, stick to your post ; do not ran away. Retreit will mean ruin to those that come afcoryou."

The Gooi?raphical Society intended the expedition to go up the Aird River, l>nt for reasons wliich have not yet been fully explained, the Fly River was chosen instead.