NEW GUINEA ITEMS

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5311, 5 October 1885, Page 2

NEW GUINEA ITEMS

A correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph gives the following summary of news from New Guinea to SeptembeV 15:-

Sir Peter H. Scratchley, the Special Commissioner for New Guinea, arrived at Port Moresby, as you already know, on tha 28th August, and is still here on board the Governor Blackall, awaiting thesteamer Herbert's arrival.; Messrs Geo. and Robt. Hunter have been temporarily appointed Superintendents of local public works ; and the position of British Resident at South Cape was offered to, but declined by, Mr Andrew Goldie.

About a fortnight ago Dan Rowan, the last beche-de-mer, fisher on the coast beween Keraupuno and South Cape, was most unprovokedly attacked by hitherto friendly natives, with whom he had been long acquainted at Aram a* He was thrown down, while his trade was stolen; and his life in all probability would have been taken but for the interposition of a native woman.

The Government have commenced operations by laying on a water supply from the spring to the beach, also by buying from the natives about eight acres of land, having a frontage to the harbors. Thd first quarter-acre section has been allotted to Mr Theodore F. Bevan, under a temporary license of occupation . Mr Bevan is now building on this block, and intends - also shortly to erect stores and depots at the east end of I the island, This the only work at present I being carried on by private enterprise. , ' Three Roman Catholic priests were' recently discovered at Yuile Island, Hall Sound, in a half starving state, and suffering from fever. It is understoed that this state of destitution is attributable to the vessel that was to bring them stores and water from Thursday Island being detained from some cause or another. , The priests are being returned to ! Thursday Island under the auspices of the Government, and this morning Captain Lilzeblad of the mission schooner Ellangowan, who recently, when on a visit to Yuile Island, showed them much kindnes, made sail for Port Moresby on the above errand. It is sincerely to bo hoped, independently of sect and creed, that the rev. fathers will not be discouraged, but that they may return with proper outfit, stores, and means of communication, as there is plenty of scope for their mission work in New Guinea, ' and a little rivalry with the existing kindred institutions cannot but be productive of good. Mr Fobes, the explorer, i 3 at present severely indisposed with an attack of quinsey, and is laid up at Port Moresby. September 16. The steamer Herbert arrived here this morning' with a full cargo, and five passengers and the stowaway. Capt. Lewis reports that he had a bad passage over, but the vessel has received no injury.