MISSING EXPEDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 5

MISSING EXPEDITION.

THREE SEARCH PARTIES OUT. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyrignt. (Received February 18, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Pay. Three search parties are ouj, after the missing Papuan Administrator's expedition. The day before the expedition left Mr. Smith, the Administrator, in a letter, stated that he expected the expedition to return' on New Year's Day." [The route chosen for the expedition lay through country that has not been explored (lecently remarked a Sydney paper). It is country peopled by the most savage of the Papuan natives — head-hunters and cannibals, who have already had fierce fights with prospecting and exploration parties, and who might be relied upon to show no mercy to a white man. The area to be traversed by the party lies between the Fly River — a name of fatal significance in connection with Papuan exploration — and the Puari. It had been arranged that the island steamer Merry England, which has been the bearer of news of more than one tragedy, should meet the Administrator at the mouth of the Fly River.- The country to be covered is not only hostile in regard to the coloured population, but is extremely difficult to get through, much of it being wild tangles of almost impenetrable jungle. Any small party unused to the country that > had the misfortune to be attacked in i£at part of New Guinea would have but a desperate chance of escape, the difficulties of movement prevented by the thick undergrowth being in all senses advantageous to the savage head-hunters. Mr. Smith's party consisted of sb: men, two others besides himself being white, whilst the other three were native guides. These men are not to be relied upon in a serious emergency, as a rule. If the party were attacked, the probability is that the white men. had to fight it out alone. Men who know New Guinea and its history and its dangers well, have expressed tne belief that Mr.- Smith's party was I too weak for an expedition encompassed with so much hazard. It may bo, of course, that the little party will turn up safely. They may have been delayed by only the natural disabilities of the ' country. But in the opinion of those | who are experienced in the country and its inhabitants, the safe return of the Administrator and his companions" is at least dubious.}