Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald, March 3.) Although it is now considerably more than three centuries and a half since the large island of Papua, or New Guinea, was discovered by the Portuguese commauders D’Abreu aud Serram, it appears somewhat surprising to reflect that, as a country, it remains practically unknown to Europeans. Nearly fifty years ago the Dutch, it is true, attempted to form a settlement at Fort Du Bus, in Triton’s Bay but they were soon compelled to abandon that low-lying spot, in consequence of the unhealthiness of the climate, which there appeared to be absolutely fatal to Europeans. Later (in 1835) an expedition, fitted out by the same maritime people, undertook to survey the supposed “ Diver Dourga”—beginning at about 100 miles to the N.E. of False Cape, latitude 8'24 South, and longitude 137’38 East — but (beyond proving that the “river” was a strait ninety miles long, and defining the limits of Prince Frederick Hendrik’s Island) not much was then effected by the Dutch, who have peculiar facilities for prosecuting their researches in this direction. French expeditions, commanded by Duperrey and Dumont D'Urville (1822-5, 1827-9, 18371810) have also added to our knowledge of the southern, western, and northern coasts of New Guinea, but our own countrymen have, more recently, explored much of this terra incognita, so interesting to the geographer, and ethnologist, and the naturalist. In 1815, Captain Blackwood, of H.M.S. Fly, surveyed the Great Bight on the south-east coast, and after Captain Blackwood, Captain Stanley, of the Rattlesnake; Lieutenant Yule, of the Bramble ; and Captain Moresby, of the Basilisk, all made further discoveries in those parts. A scientific commission, sent by the Netherlands in 1858, also carried on the work ; and Signor D’Alberti- (the Italian traveller and naturalist) has yet more lately labored in the same field, aud not without results honor-, able to himself and useful to science. In spite of all this, however, New Guinea remains still unknown, a country full of problems that yet await satisfactory solution. It is to solve some of these problems,- and (more especially) to add to the resources of natural history, as opened up in the vast island of New Guinea, that Mr. William Macleay, of this city, has determined to fit out, at his own expense, an expedition to Papua to explore the coast, to visit the interior, and systematically to collect specimens of the flora aud fauna of New Guinea. In preparation for this scientific expedition, Mr. Macleay has purchased the Chevert, a fine barque of 350 tons, of which it is understood that Captain Edwardes is to be the commander. She is to be fitted up.with every convenience for her appointed use and service, and will, it is expected, be ready for sea in May next. The Chevert is to carry a steam-launch on deck for the navigation of rivers ; for this expedition will be directed not merely to the pleasant and instructive labors of the naturalist, but to the exploration of the interior of the country generally, and to such an “exploration” of its natural resources as must invest the cruise of the Chevert with a very special interest and importance.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750603.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4432, 3 June 1875, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
531

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4432, 3 June 1875, Page 3

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4432, 3 June 1875, Page 3

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert