NEW GUINEA.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2602, 20 August 1878, Page 2

NEW GUINEA.

LOSS OF AN EXPEDITIONARY

VESSEL.

THE MISHAP DESCRIBED.—SUFFER-

INGS OF THE CREW.

Cooktown, August 14th.—A thrilling account has been received here ot a mishap to a small vessel bound for New Guinea, and the hardships which her.crew were forced to endure on the coast till rescued. On the 29th July the Platypus, an open boat partly decked, left this port for New Guinea. She had a crew of three adventuresome men—Percy Charles Fuller, R. A. Purdie, and a seaman—all belonging to Port Douglas. The little craft was well stocked with provisions and water, but it was a matter of great surprise that the authorities allowed the men to jeopardise their lives by crossing the straits to New Guinea in such a frail bark. A few days afterwards the regular trader discovered Fuller and the seaman of the Platypus on Lizard Point. :It appears they had anchored there previous to a final start for New Guinea. TLey were engaged some time getting wood and water, and, in oider to preserve their provisions from the water, they took some ashore, together with, ropes, sails, &c. During the night the blacks on the island came down and took all away. In the morning Fuller and the seamen started off to recover the stolen goods, leaving Purdie in the boat. When they returned in the evening, to their horror the saw the boat a mile at sea. After great difficulty Purdie managed to work the boat ashore, and then explained that while he was lying in the boat he felt something strike her. Thinking she had grazed a rock, he took up anchor, but on again looking round observed two spears which had been thrown from the shore. Next day Fuller and the man went again in search of the blacks to regain the goods. They returned, and again, to their astonishment on returning, they found the boat a long distance at sea, with the wind strong from the south-east. They noticed the boom and the sails flapping about. They found all the remaining sheets had been brought ashore. The boat drifted right out of sight soon after. Fuller and the man subsisted only on crayfish for six days until the Prospect came, when they were taken on board nd treated kindly; Captain Dun-

comb on learning their story, at v once manned the yacht Cornstalk, and started in search of the boat and, the missing man.i Purdie. The yacht made a splendid run.or 120 miles in 24 hoars, beating all the tirna against a strong head wind. Search was made at e^ery island, mainland, inlets, and at every probable spot. Purdie latelyassigned his estate at Port Douglas, and it is rumoured he was evading investigation. He is said to have had 500 sovereigns with him. An inquiry is to be held. Weather sultry, threatening rain.

STATE OF THE PROSPECTING PARTY. In a letter to a gentleman in Sydney, Mr M'Farlane thus refers to the New Guinea expedition and Mr Goldie's responsibility : " Here is a sad state of things ; only two out of the fifty diggers hare escaped fever. Three have died, and many are here seriously ill. Only five are out prospecting; they have tried hard.-to get through the scrub, but cannot find food for the horses, and so are unable to proceed. Many wish to leave ; all are disheartened ; they find the fever a terrible reality. It is sad to see these strong men laid low. lam thankful that I had nothing to do wfth leading them to come here. None of them seem disposed to have anything to do with Mr Goldie; they would not accept his offer to lead them inland, and they have already gone far beyond his farthest point. Mr Chester and Mr. Chalmers have visited the Laloki. They talk of a walking tour from South Cape into Milne Bay. The diggers mostly occupy the teachers' and Dr. Turners houses, storing their goods under the mission house. They speak highly of Ruatoka, and so they well may, seeing that lie conducts their purchases of land, provides carriers for them, and nurses their sick, &c.