AN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 937, 8 May 1883, Page 2

AN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY.

Mr Archibald R. Colquhoun, C.E., lectured recently at the Edinburgh Literary Institute on his recent adventurous journey, made in company with the late Mr C. Wahab, from Canton, by the Sikiang river, and Yunnam to Bhamo, on the Irrawaddy. The country to the north of Siam, he said, he had discovered to be a wonderful mine of interest; and that both geo-, graphically and ethnologically this was one of the parts of the world which remained untouched and unknown. He had, therefore, a longing to explore it. The main objects he had in view when he started on his journey were to test the present condition of the Shan States, and Yunnan, and the prospects of future trade extension there. In sailing up the Sikiang he was struck with three things—the large amount of piracy on the river; the number of ruined cities, denoting a vast affluence and prosperity, which was destroyed by the great Mahommedan revolt; and the unfriendliness of the people to strangers. Both the provinces of Kwangtun and Kwangsi are very poor. As to the province ct Yunnan, it had been traversed by Europeans, but little really was known of it. It was of large size, being larger than Great Britain. In Yunnan tney were received with a great amount of kindness and hospitality by the people. They had, however, not a few difficulties to contend with on the march —chiefly caused by the defection of servants and interpreters, and how they finally struck work at Su-Mao, and refused to proceed further southward, was briefly narrated. This circumstance made the travellers strike northward lor Talis on the old travelled route, instead *f finding -their way to Burmah through Shan territory. What struck him in travelling through Yunnan was the great difference between the south and the north. Hitherto Yunnan had been depicted to the European world as a wild, barren and thinly-populated country, offering few : inducements to trader or traveller. But such a description did the south t an injustice. The valleys and plains, and also the plateau part, were most fertile, covered with luxuriant crops. The valleys and plains were studded with innumerable villages, and having large cities with good houses and hostelrys, and the people were kind, civilised, and friendly. In the north the climate was inclement, in the south the reverse was the case —the climate being probably one of the most charming in the world. Everywhere in this region the poppy was grown for the manufacture of opium—about one-third of the whole land being devoted to its cultivation. In the large towns there was a considerable Mahommedan element; in the country the inhabitants were all aboriginal hillmen, non-Mahommedan, and non-Chines& Mr Colquhoun acknowledged the great kindness they received from several missionaries, particularly at Tali and Bhamo, without which they should have been badly off indeed. In all, the travellers had a journey of 2,000 miles, 1,300 of which were through unknown country. A very interesting series of photographs and sketches were shown by the oxy-hydrogen light, which included views of Chinese tern*

pies, carvings, bridges, and scenery; photographs of Mandarins and of the aboriginal inhabitants of Yunnan and the Shan States—the sketches of the men and women of the two latter mentioned countries showing great diversity and picturesqueness in the methods of attire. 'ln a few words the Rev. Dr Goold expressed the thanks of a large audience to Mr Colquhoun for his very interesting and instructive address.