NOR'-WEST EXPEDITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 10

NOR'-WEST EXPEDITION.

INTERESTING EXPERIENCES. RADIO PHENOMENON NOTED. A special dispatch received in Auckland yesterday by cable from the official secretary of the Wyhe Nor'-west Expedition announces the arrival of the fuU party at Broome. W 7 _V., which is the base for the preliminary marine survey operations. Broome is the famous centre of the pearl fishing industry on the jar western seaboard of W 7 est AustraliaAccording Jo the cable received, the party has been attacked by an epidemic of influenza, but most of the party, including the leader, are now recovering their normal health. Delay was also occasioned when it was discovered that the luggers were unseaworthy, and additional boats had to be obtained. The Governor of West Australia arrived at Broome yesterday by 'plane from Perth to felicitate the party on its work in co-operating in setting forth to add to the information of the northwestern part of the continent. Great interest is aroused in the activities of tlie expedition by reason of the fact that the Commonwealth Government is considering a proposal to administer the north-western country and initiate a vast immigration scheme. Mr. D. S. W r ylie, leader of the expedition, and his secretary travelled by 'plane a distance of 220 miles to Derby, and then returned to the base after a short stay. An interesting phenomenon from a radio aspect was discovered when the expedition steamer was within an 11----mile radius of North-West Cape. The radio apparatus of the steamer became absolutely dead within a Tadius of 11 miles of the cape. This was previously noted by the wireless operator with the expedition, and it is believed that this has not been reported publicly before. Under date May 29, Mr. Wylie wrote from Perth to his literary representative in Auckland, stating that the party had a good trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, and thence by the trans-continen-tal to Perth. The expedition is well equipped from a scientific point of view, and it will be of interest to Aucklanders to know that the party has obtained special tanks for bringing back rare specimens of fish from north-western waters. These may be presented at a later date to the Auckland Zoo. Mr. Wylie says that he may be able to get some live animals from the north-west to present to the Zoo authorities. He also reports the appointment of two navigators for the luggers and additions to the expedition crew. The party will also go via Lacepede Island to Sunday Island, where it is hoped that native guides and interpreters will be obtained. They will then proceed to CoUier Bay, from whence several important excursions inland wiU be made, and the expedition luggers wiU be again picked up at Camden Harbour, an outpost of civilisation. After leaving this place, the movements of the party are uncertain, but efforts will be made to keep in touch with the outside world by means of wireless. A comprehensive cinematograph record of the expedition's activities will be taken by two experts, who joined the party at Perth, and arrangements have been made for regular Press dispatches to Australian, New Zealand and foreign newspapers.