PERTH TO DARWIN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18671, 21 April 1926, Page 9

PERTH TO DARWIN.

EXPEDITION TO EXAMINE COUNTRY. I NEW ZEALANDER APPOINTED LEADER. {special to "ike pbess.") AUCKLAND, April 20. An expedition party of fifteen members, to be headed by Mr Douglas Stuart Wylie, of Auckland, is . to carry out an investigation of the natural resources of far Newt-West Australia. Mr Wylie, who has previously conducted investigations in the South Pacific, has been offered the leadership of the party because of his experience. Interviewed to-day, Mr Wylie said that two New Zealanders had been appointed to accompany him. They were Mr Frank Burnett, F.R.G.S., who will represent the Royal Geographical Society, and Mr W. J. Maiden. Regarding the territory to be investigated, Mr Wylie said that for many years much speculation had existed amongst pastoralists and others as to natural resources of this little known expanse of country. Important business interests had been considering the necessity of sending a properly organised scientific expedition to the hitherto unexplored regions of the Commonwealth, and after many deliberations finality had been reached. The purpose of the expedition, which will traverse vast areas between Broome, Western Australia, and Port Darwin, Northern Territory, is to report upon not only the pastoral resources, but the mineral wealth as well, and before the expedition enters upon its territorial investigation some time will be spent on enquiring into deep sea fisheries and trawling interests on the north-western sea coast. It is proposed in the beginning to motor from Perth to Carnarvon, and fly from there to Broome, where a pearling lugger that has been chartered to work along the coast as far as Darwin will be waiting to take the party aboard. It is expected that the investications will occupy about three months.