NEW GUINEA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 7

NEW GUINEA.

DELIMITATION OF BOUNDARIES. *$/ Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copy righh LONDON, Bth December. Messrs. Sabine' and Forrester, the British and German Commissioners respectively, will begin to delimit the British-German boundaries in New Guinea next January* When they have completed their work they will report to their respective Governments, who will finally Bettle the matter. New Guinea is an island lying directly north of Australia, and, after Australia, the largest island in the world. It is about 1490 miles from oast to west, with a breadth at tho centre of 430 miles. The British territory comprises the south-eastern part of the island and neighbouring! island groups. The German territory is known as Kaieer Wilhelm's Land, and lies to the north of the British territory. There is also Dutch New Guinea. British New Guinea was declared a protectorate in 1884 andi in 1888 was definitely annexed. In November, 1901, the Government of the Australian. Commonwealth undertook the administration, and a transfer was made in 1903. It is administered 1 by a. governor, who resides at Port Moresby. The seat of Govercanent of the German portion of New Guinea is Herbertshoho, in the Bismarck Archipelago. There is gold on the island, and the question of arranging for British and mining rights along the frontier has been matter for discussion. It has been suggested that the river Hira should be made tho natural, boundary.