NEW GUINEA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2210, 26 March 1881, Page 3

NEW GUINEA.

Tha following is an extract from a letter recently received in Wellington by a companion of a late visitor to Ntw Guinea:—“ Having noticed in New Zealand files some months back of an expedition to Now Guinea, which left Wellington about two years ago. Having recently visited that part of the island (Astrolabe Gulf) described in the account, I take the liberty of selecting further particulars of the gulf, thinking it may be of interest. I have been engaged in the island trade for some time, principally at tho Solomon Group, but in consequence of the growing hostilities of the natives was driven further to the west. After having called at Now Ireland and Now Britain, we proceeded to New Guinea via Dampier Straits, and on arrival at Astrolabe were surprised to find many traces of civilisation among the natives, who come off in great numbers to welcome us, and who directed us to an anchorage, which, I presume, was the ‘ Drury Sound' mentioned in the report. . . . We found three fathoms and a half on the reof, which extends across tho entrance, and anchored in seventeen fathoms inside, surrounded by beautiful islands of coral formation, with rich foliage drooping into the water. Having made everything snug on board, we invited the Natives on deck—about 170 of whom immediately clambered up the side, bringing presents consisting of yams, cocoanuts, ginger, bananas, tobacco leaf, tortoise shell, sugar cane, pigs, and curiosities, and were very profuao in their demonstrations of welcome. By the assistance of one of the crew, who understood a little of the language, we learned that your people had treated them with the greatest kindness —tho benefit of which we enjoyed. Next morning a boot’s orow was despatched in search of water. On making our wants known, about a dozen canoes, containing from seven to nine Natives each, volunteered to show us where it oouid bo found, and preceded us up a beautiful river, about eight miles, where the casks were filled from a rivulet of cool, clear, fresh

water. Here ire noticed out on ft tree the words 'Hove' and ‘Courier/ *CK Hrury. A little farther up the river we landed at a village, and our party was joined by ft great number of Hatives from the inland tribes, who conducted us up a gentle rise cultivations. The soil is very rich, of a dark chocolate color, and looked capable of B r ° w ' ing anything. The timber was also very fine and varied, some being of a bright yellow color and fine in the grain. We were shown a tree, the bark of which contained a most delicious perfume. The view from the high land was surpassingly fine —the broad, bright gulf beneath, dotted with islands, or fringed with luxuriant foliage to the water's edge, while behind, right round the bay, a distance of about seventy miles, is a belt of open, rich, table land about eight miles wide, covered with a bright green grass, and rising in steps or terraces, backed up by the lofty Fimslorre Mountain in the distance, wooded from the base as far as the eye can reach, until it dies away in fleecy clouds. ... It was with feelings of great reluctance that we set sail from this beautiful, fertile, and comparatively unknown clime, which will make a name for itself some day. It is my intention to return to it before long, and if you would like to join a party for that purpose please communicate/ 1