IN DARK AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 12

IN DARK AUSTRALIA

4 A PERILOUS JOURNEY

EXPEDITION TO N.W. TERRITORY

ADVENTURE IN A 16-TON

LUGGER.

An account of an expedition that has recently visited one of the most barren portions of Australia—the north-west territory—was related to a "Post" reporter yesterday by. Mr,. .Bernard C. Dudley Ryder, F.R.6.5., who returned to Wellington by the Ulimaroa on Monday..

The object of the eipedition was to ascertain tho pastoral and mineral wealth of north-west Australia, and tko expedition was also interested in deep sea fishing on that part of the coast. The enterprise was a private one, and the expedition was made on behalf of English and colonial interests. Its leader was Mr. Douglas Stuart Wylie, of Auckland, and the party which numbered fourteen all told, included Mr. William J. Maiden, of Now Zealand. The Eoyal Geographical Society was represented by Mr. By.der, and Mr. E. J. Stuart, of Perth. To make their report as full as possible, two cinematograph operators were included in the expedition, and it is stated some unique and remarkable pictures have been recorded of this little-known territory.

The party assembled at Perth, and from there proceeded to Broome, where pearling is extensively carried on. "I? is little known," said Mr. Eyder, "that Western Australia produces three-quar-ters of the world's output of pearls." Broome, he said, contained about two thousand inhabitants, fifteen hundred of whom were Japanese divers. A lugger of 16 tons burthen was chartered, and in this small craft the expedition set sail. The crew was very mixed. The nationalities represented on board were English, Chilian, Mexican, an Indian cook, and Australian aboriginals.

CAUGHT IN A WHUtLPOOL. The first call was made to the Lacepede Islands, which were reached after four days' sailing. There, the outstanding items of interest were turtles. Thence the party went to Loveque, King's Sound, and Cygnet Bay. This part of the coast, besides being very rugged, is anything but suitable to yachting. There is a tidal rise of about 40 feet, which works up the rivers and comes down as a big bore. The party crossed the Yampi Sound, and then entered the formidable Whirlpool Pass. As it? name indicates, this part of the sea is very dangerous for tho navigation of small craft, and it was here that the expedition was almost overtaken by disaster. The whirlpools, Mr. Eyder explained, are large enough to drag down a dinghy, and it was the party's misfortune for the lugger to get caught in one. They had the unenviable experience of being carried round and round for about an hour and a half, and were then wrecked on the rocks which flank the shore. Besides their boat being damaged, the expedition suffered a much more serious loss in provisions. The .boat was got off the rocks when the tide dropped, and the party clambered ashore where camp was pitched. The position then was anything but bright, as they were right out of touch with civilisation. By continual pumping the boat was kept afloat, and the expedition proceeded to Dugung Bay, Brecknock Harbour, and on to Augustus Water. Then the party struck inland, and crossed the MacDonnell Eanges, which had hitherto been crossed by only five white men. Eeturning to the .coast, they set out for the Montgomery Islands, which were found infested with crocodiles. Camp was pitched there, and some capital shooting obtained, Mr. Wylie potting a couple of fine crocodiles. Owing to the attention of these animals, camping at this spot was not as safe as being housed in a modern hotel. The smell of fresh meat drew more crocodiles to the camp than was desired, but the party made itself secure by lighting fires around the camp. ABORIOINALS DISAPPEARING.

As an instance of how the Australian aboriginals are dying out, Mr. Eyder stated that only ten natives lived on the island, whereas ten years or so ago their numbers could be counted in hundreds.' The aboriginal, he said, was not, according to popular opinion, an abject fellow, but on the other hand was a most magnificent specimen, 6ft 6in tall, and with a chest expansion of about 44 inches.

Owing to having lost their provisions in the whirlpool, the return journey was then commenced. On the way back they spent some time at a whaling station at Point Cloates, where motio* tures were secured.

Mr. Eyder paid a tribute to M-. Wylie, the leader of the expcWW-i, whose care and judgment, he said, saved the party from many difficult situations.

Tho other members of the party returned to Auckland last week.