UNKNOWN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1804, 2 April 1888, Page 4

UNKNOWN

the proverb that " Far fields fair fields " which is a paraphrase of the more familiar quotation "Distance V lends enchantment to the view," it is not always the case by any means that the tints m which imagination pourtrays remote and comparatively unknown lands are of couleur cle rose. Indeed, not infrequently the very reverse is the case, and countries which* when thoroughly explored prove to be full of natural resources and attractions which indicate them as the homes of future millions are, before exploration, regarded as howling deserts, barren wildernesses, and inhospitable regions, and, indeed, sometimes so marked upon the map. As an instance m point we may refer to Central Africa, which before the days of Livingstone, Baker, and Stanley, was regarded as an almost altogether uninhabitable region, but which proves to contain immense stretches of fine country with a climate quite suitable to Europeans, and watered by magnificent v rivers destined yet to bear on their bosom the busy fleets of Commerce. Nearer home, to compare great things with small, many of us remember that less than a quarter of a century ago the country west of the dividing range m the Middle Island of New Zealand was pronounced an uninhabitable wilderness ; yet wa have lived to see it the scene of thriving industries and dotted with towns and villages. So also probably will be the case of New Guinea. Until recently it was thought that, save for strategic reasons, there was nothing to be gained by its annexation, and that its climate was such that $ it could never be tenanted by other than the aboriginal races or possibly Chinese or Malays. Its climate was said to be almost unendurable by Europeans, not only because of the intense heat, but because of the malaria with which its atmosphere was charged, while its native races were pictured as bloodthirsty cannibals of the most forbidding sort. But as exploration proceeds evidence accumulates that these were altogether mistaken impressions, and it appears not unlikely that parts of this great island will yet become the theatre of successful colonising operations. The " London Times." for example, has recently published some very interesting information as the result of the explorations of Captain Strachan, who has just returned to England from New Guinea, and who has discovered fine stretches of country m the interior with a perfectly healthy climate and good natural grass, destined doubtless ere long to be turned to account m the grazing of flocks and herds . " His Statements (says the " Times ") with reference to the delta of the Fly River, m the west of British New Guinea, which he explored to a considerable extent, are very remarkable, and if confirmed would make it one of the most extensive deltas m the world. Not only is, the main mouth of the river divided into many branches, but west of the Fly is the Baxter or Mia Kasa River, which, according to Captain Strachan, is a branch of the former. The Baxter itself divides into two some distance above its mouth, sending a branch south-west, named the Prince Leopold River, both branches receiving numerous tributaries. Far westward of the Prince Leopold, Captain Strachan traced another river, the Haynes, for gome distance into the interior, and he is persuaded that this also is a branch of the Fly River, which strikes off from the latter far up its course. Captain Strachan penetrated for a considerable distance into the interior along the border of Dutch New Guinea, and eastwards and southwards towards the Fly River. These rivers, like most other New Guinea rivers, are densely wooded along their banks, but Captain Strachan states that when the bush is penetrated, it may be only 100 yards or it may be five miles, a fine, open, undulating country is reached, covered with grass, scattered forest trees, and here and there patches of scrub. It is only the coast districts, according to Captain Strachan, that are unhealthy, the interior hills, mountain sides, and plateaus, according to his experience, being perfectly healthy for Europeans." It is evident, therefore, that m her share of this great island Great Britain has acquired a possession of hitherto unsuspected value, and there are more unlikely things on the cards than that British New Guinea may yet be the site of another great colony. In view of this not by any means improbable contingency, the Imperial Government might do worse than act upon a hint supplied by Captain "trachan, who states that the Dutch Government would be quite willing to part with their share of New Guinea for a trifle ; but only to England, for they have, he says, a strong aversion to German colonising schemes.