NEW GUINEA PROSPECTING EXPEDITION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1081, 15 January 1872, Page 2

NEW GUINEA PROSPECTING EXPEDITION.

[SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.]/. A very large number of persons assembled in the Temperance Hall, Sydney, a few evenings ago, for the purpose ef inquiring into the , advisability of forming a prospecting expedition to New Guinea. The chair was occupied by Mr E. Greville, M.L.A. The chairman, in opening the meeting, explained 1 that; although in possession of the chair; he was not in any way connected withthe scheme, and that he only attended at the meeting in order to. learn the object of the expef. dition, and to watch the mining interests.' Mr Greville read a letter from the Rev. Dr Lang, in which that gentleman regretted his inability to attend the meeting, attributing his absence to important business. Mr 'Campbell;, addressed i the meeting, and explained the object of the expedition, why it. was organised, and the system upon which it was proposed to be carried out. He said that there could be no doubt that gold was to be found at New Guinea^and Btated that he wished eighty experienced miners to give LlO each, which money would be expended in chartering and fitting out a vessel for a trip to the island; each, subscriber to be entitled to a free passage to New Guinea and back; and to supply himself with firearms .and, tools, the rations, &c, to be supplied from the funds at the disposal of a committee to be elected. The expedition would be away about six mfinthsj" and^would cost about LBOO, and if the natives were kindly he thought that ,it, would |be ; successful. Upon the first resolution baling read a Mr Lloyd, who declared himself to be the oldest miner in New South Wales, addressed the meeting, and , alluded to the proposed expedition as a farce. His remarks were at first well received, but becoming excited and somewhat emphatic, the meeting refused to listen to him; and i great disorder ensued. The following re- » solutions were carried amidst much noise and confusion .-—"That this meeting views with interest and approbation the movement being made to form an expedition for prospecting the south-east coast of New Guinea, and trusts that the efiorts of its promoters and those who accompany the expedition may meet, with success." — "That this meeting, taking into consideration the immense benefits that will result to this city should the explorations of the-expedition be successful, pro* .» poses that subscription lists, should he ' opened for repeiving j&uch donations of provisions and other necessaries, as may be contributed by the people of Sydney. . After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting terminated.