NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, AND DUKE OF YORK ISLAND.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 173, 20 November 1880, Page 3

NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, AND DUKE OF YORK ISLAND.

The schooner Sea Rip, Captain South- | gate, recently arrived from a trading cruise to New Britain, New Ireland, and Duke of York Island. AYo learn from Mr. T. Fan-ell, who arrived by 'her, that civilisation is evidently making rapid progress in these islands. Only a short time ago traders' houses could only lie seen at a very wido distance apart, but they an; now much more numerous, and the natives arc well supplied with their requirements. Trading comp-tition is very keen. Godeffioy's company is the longest established tirm.Jand their head stition is at Meako Harbour, from whence they ship all their produce to Europe. It is situated at the nouth side of the Duke of York Island, midway between New Britain and Now Ireland. There is a good passage on both the east and west side ; the average is from five to seven fathoms inside the harbour. It is a beautiful sheet of water, completely landlocked, and capable of sheltering a fleet of ships. The firm of T. Farrelt and Co., of Sydney, have their head station at the same place, and they are the first to commence trade with Sydney since it was abandoned years ago by Captain Ferguson. The German firm of Hcrnsheim and Co. have their principle station at Matani, Now Britain, and this is tho second eldest firm in the group. During tho last few months Captain Ferguson recommenced trading here, and opened a station at Port Hunter. The largest amount of trallic appears to exist at Meako. The natives, as a whole, are not bad, but they never miss an opportunity to steal. Two naturalists live at Meako—Dr. Finch a Euionean collector, and Mr. Clinsmith for Godeffroy's firm. Mr. Farrell bears out the statement that Likiliki Bay is a most unsuitable place for the Marquis do Ray's new settlement. Several of tho new settlers continue in tho employment of traders, but many of them returned to Likiliki. It was reported that the new colonists were negotiating with Captain Ferguson to them to take Sj'dney. The immigrants were willing to give their planting mnehinory in return for their passages. The Rev. George Brown, who has played a conspicuous part in connection with tho colonists, has employed twenty-three of the settlers, and fourteen were employed by four different people. Xo .further arrivals of immigrants had taken place at Likiliki. Captain Mc Laneblan was said to be in ill-health, and was only remaining in the fever stricken region in order to fulfil his promise to the Marquis do Ray. Great complaints are made of the water at New Ireland, and the country consisted of nothing but sand-stnne rock. Now Britain is much more highly spoken of as a place suitable in many respects for colonisation, as it possesses some most fertile volleys. 11.M. schooner Conflict has arrived at Conktown from the Duke of York Island, and reports the arrival of the Marquis de Ray's steamer Genii at New Ireland, just in time to prevent the desertion of the eutiro colony, as Captain M' Laneblan had arranged with Captain Ferguson to proceed to Australia with the survivors of the Chandoruagore expedition.