THE DIRK ISLAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1600, 4 July 1887, Page 3

THE DIRK ISLAND

The more we learn about New Guinea the more apparent it becomes that tbe acquisition of the new territory is not likely to prove a bad speculation after all ; and the mote conclusively it is shown what a huge mistake ib would have been to have Allowed it to fall into the hands of a foreign power. And yet this was very nearly the case. Not because of any default on the part of tho Australian colouiefi, but solely on account of the Bupinenesa and groBS ignotance of the Nritiab Government. As it is, nearly half of the immenho island the whole of which ought to belong to Great Britain haß been secured by another nation ; and that portion over which a protectorate has been proclaimed would inevitably have been lost to an bat for tbe activity aid determined spirit shown by the Aus tralian colonies, more especially by the Queensland Government. If this had happened, it would have been a serious m sfortune, probably a calamity. A rich and valuable territory would have be m lost to England ; and its possession by any other oountry would have been a perpetual menaca Io the safety and peace of Australia. The most recent explorations m thft neighborhood of New Guinea have been those o^nducted by Mr Bevan. His discoveries, ai reported, are wonderful, and of the most important character. He has discovered two splendid waterways leading from the Gulf of Papua far Into the interior. These seem to be navigable for many mileß, and enabled the explorer to pentrate fanner into the interior than has yet been achieved, as far as tve are aware, by any other traveller. A comprohenßive acoount of the expedition is to be published here^'tor, Me»nlimo the short detcription if the j utney made ia intensely interesting. The two large rivers discovered, for they appear to have been hitherto unknown to Europeans, have been named by Mr Beran the Jubilee and the Douglas". The latter was entered by means of the !Aird, which Mr Bevan saya is merelj one of many mm.ths of the main aud larger stream. Up (he Ja'ge waterway the explorer travelled about oue hundred at.d fifty mileß. Tho actual distance from the coast, however, wbb not more than eighty miles. Returning, another route waa taken to the aea, thus showing that the port on of coast known as Cape Blackwood is m reality an island. The river flowed past hills and steep ranges ; and greater mount if na were observed farther inland, Th 9 country through which tbe higher waters of the Douglas pa: i is praotfcally uninhabited, and consists of splendid fcreßta, which may easily, and perhaps profitably be oleared. Two smaller tributaries to the larger river were alau discovered. The Jubilee River hn also Beveral months disemboguing hto the sea. This waterway, Mr Bevan reports was alao explored a coneiderable da an?e. The Native met with weto freodly, with the exception of one tribe, '. wh : ch made a hostile demonstration, but wrs frightened away by the steam whistle of the vessel. This latter experience wai on the Don^ap, It oppeara ; for bo catives were met with on the Jubilee. The result of the explorer's observation ia that the cenntry is only inhabited along the co .st ; and that t>e island aa far aa he proceeded ia practically poopleless. The temperatare was not unduly variable or high, ranging merely from 74deg. m 1 the morning to SGdep. m the ahade at noon. Altogether Mr Bevan *b labors have thrown Borne new light on tbe datk is'and. (" Hawkea Bay Herald" )