EXPLORATION IN NEW GUINEA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2311, 21 December 1889, Page 2

EXPLORATION IN NEW GUINEA

Details hava reached the Royal Geographical Sooi&ty of the remarkably sob. cesatal ascent made by the Administrator of Britioh New Guinea, Sit William Maogregor, of the hitherto uhsoaled Owen {Stanley range, it ia forty yeara aioce Captain Owen Stanley saw from a dietanoe »t tea the fine peak which wav named after hioa t the name having sines been extended to to the range. This range Hob some forty miles inland from Port Moresby, and many nnancoossful attempts bavo a been made to reaoh its. iqmmit. Some of the lower heights havo, indeed, been foiled, but until Sir William Macgregot's expedition no one had succeeded i m reaching what is ready the highest p^ak ; m British Australasia. Sir W illiam Maogregor left Port Moresby along with his private secretary (Mr /. B, Cameron) and a small party on April 20.. He proceeded to Kcdecar Jbay an 4 6a. the Vanapa Rfver for forty miles, where a camp was formed. Some liltfo time was spent here collecting men to accompany toe expedition, laying m stoves gui,

making preparations. On May 17th the party left camp for the range ; it consisted of four Ltuopeaoe and thiny eight others, the latter comprising coma South Sea Islanders — good buebmen and travellers, Tne route by which the mountain was approached w»b different from any whloh tad been previously taken The party, well organised and well led, want steadily 00, aroendiDg and descend log eronlng and reorosalog river?, sometimes on very short oommono, and mvor with high rations, cntfclrg their way through the eornb, and enduring the usual hard • ships of mountain climbing until a camp was formed on the top of Mount Mmgrave —9100 feet. From ibis a party of carrier* w«a lent lack, Me Cameron remaining with others to take observations, etc. while Sir Wilifam and b faithful few presiod on. On the 11*0. Jane they reached the highest orest of the tango— l3,l2l feet. The mountain was named Mount Victoria. The climate Sir William describes as foggy and unpleasant up to 8000 feet; but ■bore that clear blue eky and beautiful climate, " one of the finest m the world." The patty were ten days at an elevation of ovei 10,000 feet and never had a cloud above them. Tbe sen coast wae visible on both sides, that on the north being the most dUt«nt.> But the country (■ muoh smoother on that side, and iheaioent of the mountain from tha north ~sppavent!y unobstructed and easy. From the point of Monnt Victoria m the east to Mount LUley m the west is a continuous unbroken crest of thirty mller, which was traversed by Sir William, wbo spent three and a half days on the summit. Bis eyes were gladdened by the Bight of dallies, butter- cups, and forget-me-nots* and be brought away with him a qoactlty of white heath which reminded blm of his native mountains. Big lololea amazed bis native companions, who thought tbe' r mouths were burned when they atten^ J to bile ihtf, to them, novel prodcot of dp tare. Larks were plentiful, similar m flight and song to those of the old country. Several birds of paradise were obtained on the way up, one of them probably Sew. There are no trees within one thousand feet ol the top, which ia bare took or covered with grass. There are no makes or other pests on the main range, but unfortunately gime Is very scarce also. The temperature ranged from freezing point to 70deg* m the sun. No aatlvea live on tbe mountains cbove 4000 ft, although they bant as high as 9700 ft All those met with at the base were extremely friendly. Nothing, however, would induce any of them to accompacy the party up thn mountain. Tbe party returned to Por M reßby on Jaue 25* Sir Wllllsm was lv perfect health the whole time, though ea uaus', iho native! had their Hub o mpUtnts. 6il William Macgrt-gcr has not onfy accomplhhel »n excellent plceo of work, bat ha h»s done mush to rehabilitate British No* Goioes. He has >t leest discovered that there are districts where Europe a- s nuy livo and th'lve, where they may have the olimato, and the birds and the fl >wers of their native laod. When troplcilacd sub-trop'cal Australasia geta more densely populated than it is, the jaded European msy find on the higher slopes of the raoge just sealed by Sir WMUm Maogre-or an invigorating lanttorlum.