IN PAPUAN WILDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 5

IN PAPUAN WILDS.

-3 • EXPLORERS ENCOUNTER HEADHUNTERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rcc. September 12, 9.15 p.m.) Melbourne, September 12. Judgo Murray, Lieutenant-Governor of Papua,, lias sent a wireless message announcing the- safe return of the Mas-sey-Baker expedition, which has been exploring Papua near the Fly and Strickland Ra'yors. Tho expedition on ascending the Strickland' River discovered a magnificent lako, tlho perimeter of which was fully 100 milos. They named it Lake Murray. Also thoy found much splendid' coavntry fit for occupation, tho largest coconuts thoy had ovor seen, excellent sugar-cane, and tobacco growing freely. Tho only drawback was tho mosquitoa, which, even in tho bright sunlight, wexe simply maddening. The report adds; — "Wo crave your indulgence for any ■Hiregularitios in this report on that account " Tho party met large pal-ties of na>lives, who are described as a treacherous lot. They tried to inveigle the explorers ashore and stop the progress of tho expedition. On one occasion tho party steamed right through tho middle of a fleet of canoes carrying 150 warriors fresh from a hcad-liunting expedition. It required a volley from the police escort to clear _ tho way. None of the savages were hit. Shortly after, the explorers came upon tho result of tho head-hunters' vilo work, in tho shape of fresh bodies, headless and armless, and the partlysloinned trunks of women.