THE STORY CONTINUED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 67, 20 March 1911, Page 5

THE STORY CONTINUED.

A COAL FIELD DISCOVERED

MELBOURNE, March 18. Mr Stanisforth Smith, in a further message to Mr Batcbelor, says that the expedition returned to Goaribari on the fifth, and thence crossed to Thursday Island and visited the upper waters of the Strickland River, returning along the north-west of Kikori, travelling 374 miles on foot and 150 miles by fiver in a totally unexplored country. They completed the major portion of the exploration of the territory, and most important information was gathered. They found a small coal creek near Lower Itikori and a large field of excellent; coal at the Upper Kikori. The western division, instead of being largely low-lying, alluvial, consists in the greater portion of an elevated plateau. The lowest valley is 2000 feet above 'the sea level. The country is a vast upraised mass of coral,' the upper" waters and watersheds of great rivers emptying into the gulf. The country is now fairly defined, completing the knowledge of the river systems of the territory. They have now data estimating the population with some accuracy, and have established friendly relations with the bushmen everywhere. There was no fighting. They found sago growing inland, at an elevation of 3,500 feet.