THE ASCENT OF MOUNT OWEN STANLEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8557, 27 July 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE ASCENT OF MOUNT OWEN STANLEY.

A lUVAL TO MOUNT COOK. Sir William M'Gregor's expedition to Moiint Owen Stanley returned to Port Moresby on June 25* having made a successful ascent of the highest peak of the Owen Stanley Eange, named Mount Victoria, 13,1211t. The Administrator of New Guinea was accompanied to the summit only by Georgs Belford, Jce, a Fijian, and three New Guinea men. The climate was perfect. Above 8000 ft it was clear and cold, and on the summit were; daises, buttercups, forget-me-nots, grasses, heaths, larks, icicles, and white frosts. No .natives were met with above 4000 ft. Sir Willfem left Port Moresby on the 19th April in an open boat, with a party of 14, for the Vanupa river, 30 miles westward. They arrived there safely, and pushed the boat up the river for eight days. They encountered many difficulties in crossing the rapids and dragging the boat over the rocks. It was not until the 17th May thst the party, of which only four were whites, made a start after getting additional provisions from Port Moresby. They crossed Mount Gleeson, and at a height of 1700 ft Mount Gunbar. They saw the first native house at Goodwin's Village, Mount Musgrave. Tbey then descended Mount Musgrave, which is over 7000 ft high, to the Vanupa river, mounted the Knutsford Range over rough country, and followed a spur leading westward for three days. They descended the spur and began the ascent of Mount Owen Stanley on the 9th, reaching the top on the 11th. On the 12th June they returned to Mount Musgrave. On the 16th all hands started homewards. The country traversed by the party was very mountainous. No table land was discovered. The geological formation of the country was mainly decomposed slate, granite, and quartz. There was no sign of gold. The climate to a height of 8000 ft was moist; | above that dry and bracing. In the higher altitudes natives were met with on two occasions only. They were extremely friendly; but superstitious. The men were stout and well built, with short legs. Women were never seen. The cultivation paddocks were fenced in, and sweet potatoes, yams, sugar cane, and tobacco were plentiful The natives were devoid of warlike implements. Particular attention was paid to the head dresses, which were made of shells procured from the eastern coast of German New Guinea, showing friendly communication across the Owen Stanley Range. The Governor collected many specimens of new plants, amongst others some beautiful yellow rhododendrons, all of which have been forwarded to Baron yon Mueller. A greal number of new grasses in large patches were discovered on Mount Victoria. Mr Goodwin secured several new birds and one animal something like a native bear, but with a long tail, the colour being a dusky brown. It was black in the extremities and the extreme length was 3ft Gin, the tail being lft 6in. It has five claws on the front feet and hind feet; the tail is bushy, and it i 3 estimated to weigh 401b. The birds in the lower altitudes are the same as those before seen, except a new paradise bird similar to the great epinachus The party procured a female of theastrachia stephania, the only male bird of that species being in the museum at Berlin. The Governor procured several new small birds on Mount Victoria. Amongst the birds are some identical with the English lark. Unfortunately, they were eaten by one of the Polynesians. A few entomological specimens were obtained, amongst which were milk-white butterflies. Many were seen, but only a few were captured.