NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1560, 17 May 1887, Page 3

NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION

» JBrisbvne, May 11. The steamer Victory arrived at Thursday Island on May 3 from Now Guinea with Burns, Philip, and Company's exploring expedition, under the loader&hip of Mr Theodore BovaD, on board. -All tho explorers are well, and the expedition h3R been a great success from a geographical point of view, Mr Bevan reports aa follows : —Left Thursday Island on March 18, and arrlred at the mouth of the Aird river on tho 2lßt, whore wo found a broad channel varying from three to Beven fett of water right Into the river. After following the Aird up we found that it was only one of the many m uthe of the great freeh water river coming from the mounta : n ranges. Af er trying, numerlona channels we got into the main river, which Is a magnificent stream, aod followed it op to the head, eighty miles In a direct line from the coaB», carrying good water all the way into the mountain ranges. On our return down the rive? we struck a fresh branch, and came ou^ m Deception Bay. The party then proceeded to Motu Motu, and returned. Wo found a magnificent new river, with an entrance three miles wide, cloao to Bild Hoad. We proceeded up 110 miles by tho river coursos, passing through ranges end gorges m places 150 ft high. Fmaly the river became so dangerous, and the bottom to foul, that it was not safe to proceed further with a veseol of the Victory's draught cf Oft. At tha point at which the Victory turned back tho river Is 300 yards wide with a depth of from two to five fathoms. Wo returned down the earns river into Decep'.ioa Biy. 'Che country is practically uninhabited, only a few tribea of Natives having boon mat with, wi'h whom friendly relations were established. The country ia splendid scrub country, and there ia very rioh agricultural land on both rivers. Very fine weather prevailed throughout the trip, with cool climate, and no mosquitoes. Owing to the immense amount of water work done, the time did not permit of much land exploration. Captain F. Boor was m charge of the Bteamer throughout the trip, and contributed greatly to the Eucceaa achieved by (he expedition, which is considered to have been moat successful.