THE YSABEL'S VOYAGE

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11122, 14 January 1899, Page 6

THE YSABEL'S VOYAGE

T I IN THE SOLOMONS AND SANTA OEUZ GROUPS. TBE ASCENT OF MOUNT LAMMOS. The steamer Ysabel, wbioh returned to Sydney reoently after a very smart trip to the Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz, brings news from the islands up to the 11th December.) The Ysabel brings news that Mr O. M. Woodford, the Resident Commissioner, accompanied by Captain O. Svenson, of the SikahUua, and a party of two white men, nine natives, and three guides successfully accomplished the ascent of Mount Lammas, Guladalcunar, which was unsuccessfully attempted by Baron Norbeck and the HUfated party from the Austrian warship Albatros about two years ago. _ The ascent was made from the south side of the island, and the party reaobed a height of 6000 feet above sea level. They fouud the bush natives quite friendly, and the party returned without any mishap, bringing with then several new orohlds and sraucaria (closely resembling the Norfolk Island pine). At a height of 5000 feet the vegetation was very attractire, the low atannted tiees being relieved by most luxuriant beda of beautiful mosses, into which the traveller sunk knee-deep. It bad been expected that the higher country would be tound suitable for coffee and other tropical cultivation, but the' extreme humidity of the air proved its impracticability. The party suffered very much from oold, the mean temperature balng 50. Fahr,, whioh to men accustoned to 85. and 90. moan temperature of sea level was very trjing. One very interesting discovery was made by the explorers. While ascending the ridge at a height of about 4000 feet they noticed a number of curious holes going straight down into tho earth, vety much resembling tbe holes in the Maori pas, shaped like an inverted funnel, the opening on the top being about eighteen in diameter, widening out at the base to from 2£ feet to 3 feet. They were surprised to learn that these were the deserted lairs of a large pack of wild dogs tbat have infested the district for some time past, terrorising the natives , and doing considerable damage. Tho ' pack used to number nearly sixty strong, but several natives having been devoured bunting parties were formed and a considerable diminution eflected in tbeir number?. The bush natives live in long, low, miserable houses made of native grass, and instead of each family occupying'a separate hut, as on the coast, aeveral families wonld herd together in one place. They seemed to rely exclusively on a vegetable diet, and had very extensive ' gardens ' of .yams and taro, tho latter being apparently the staple article of food, although it is more than likely that their vegetariaa menu is occasionally varied by a diet of human flesh. The party wished to stay longer, but bad to return owing to being short of provisions,