NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION. Cooktown, May 4.
Mr Bevan, chief of Messrs Burns, Philip and Company's New Guinea exploring expedition, arrived here from New Guinea by the AirUe. His expedition up the Aird River was successful. He penetrated 150 miles up the river. The natives attacked his steamer, the Victory, at the same spot as they attacked Blackwood some years ago. Several other tribes, however, proved very friendly. After leaving the Aird by a wide opening, carrying not less than four fathoms out to sea, several villages, including Motu Motu, were visited, and then the five openings at Band Point were explored. Four of them were found impracticable on account of heavy surf, but the fifth was entered and followed up ten miles, going straight inland, when a bifurcated westerly branch was taken and ascended 35 miles. It then broke up into numerous small rivers. Another westerly branch was then followed six miles, with a similar result. The easterly opening was then explored for several days, and different tribes of amicable natives were visited, photographed and traded with. This latter branch led into a broad river, which ascended until it led into a species of inland fresh water sea, half-a-mile wide, and into which a large, river was flowing. This was ascended 50 miles, right into the ranges. One rapid was passed, but the steamer was at last stopped at a narrow gorge, though the whaleboat ascended several miles further without finding any obstruction. The water was found to be from two to four fathoms in depth. Much good agricultural and open forest country was seen. A road was here cut five miles through the scrub. An interesting ornithological collection was made, a number* of reptiles were captured and a
splendid series of photographs token.' The river system of this portion of New Guinea is very intricate, Mr Bevan Is reticent as to his mineralogical discoveries, bub he claims the discovery of an easy route of access to the heart of the main ranges of the island; The furthest point reached on the Aird River was only 80 miles from the British boun^ dary, but there is a terrific mountain range between the river and the watershed on the German side. ilr Bevan hopes to follow up his discoveries shortly with a second expedition.
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Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 205, 28 May 1887, Page 5 (Supplement)
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383NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION. Cooktown, May 4. Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 205, 28 May 1887, Page 5 (Supplement)
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