NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 11

NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION

PRELIMINARY AIR SURVEY (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, February 27. An important reconnaissance flight was made early this month over unexplored central New Guinea, and reports now sent to Sydney from Port Moresby show that the data gathered have much scientific value.

" The primary purpose of the flight was to confirm the geographical feature of the country, supplied by Mr Jack Hides last year, after his notable exploratory patrol. The Papuan Government has arranged that another expedition led by Mr Ivan Champion, shall leave immediately, and try to get through the unexplored region, from the Turama River, on the Gulf of Papua, to the upper waters of the Strickland River (which is a tributary of the Fly). The course to he followed by Mr Champion in this expedition will take him along the southern edge of the remarkable river system traversed by Mr Hides, and described by him as the Papuan "wonderland." Three expeditions in recent times have penetrated this magnificent and hitherto unknown plateau, which lies right in the centre of New Guinea, astride of the triangle formed by the meetings of the borders of the mandated territory of New Guinea, Papua and Dutch New Guinea. The first, in 1033, was led by Messrs J. L. Taylor and M. and D. Leahy. It penetrated the northern (New Guinea) portion of the plateau as far westward as Mount Hagen, discovered the upper waters of the Purari, and revealed a swarming agricultural population and a culture whose presence had not previously been suspected. Little has been published about the second expedition. It was led by two prospectors, Messrs T. A. and Jack Fox. It started westward from Mount Hagen (in New Guinea) in August, 1934; traversed absolutely unknown country; crossed the border into Dutch New Guinea; passed through the almost mythical Star Mountains: came out on the great Digoel River; and returned in December to Mount Hagen, through the north-western corner of Papua. Messrs Fox in their march passed along the northern edge of the river systems discovered by Mr Jack Hides only a few weeks later. The third expedition was that led by Messrs Hides and O'Malley (January-June, 1935), which penetrated the southern portion of the great central plateau. The party which made the aeroplane flight included Mr Ivan Champion (who with Mr Karius made a famous trip from the Strickland right across to the Sepik River, some years ago, and who is now about to leave on another expedition), Mr Jack Hides, Mr J. L. Taylor, and Mr F. E. Williams (Papuan Government anthropologist). Reports received show that, during two flights out from Mount Hagen (southwards to within sight of the Gulf of Papua, on the first day; and south-westwards, right down to the terrifying limestone barrier, on the second day), the observations made by Mr Hides were fully confirmed. The party saw a scries of great river systems enclosed by high ranges, and they found and identified the Tari Furoro Valley—so graphically described by Mr HidesMount Jubilee, Ryan's Gorge, Mount Champion and other outstanding features which he had named.

Tho men in the aeroplane could see many unexplored valleys, running south and south-east, stretching far away into the distance, and apparently carrying a very large population. Referring to a large valley, 40 miles east and west by about 30 miles across, and enclosed by rugged mountains, one observer said: "The floor of this great valley was fiat, broken only by deep creek-beds and smooth undulations. It was like a vast park. Great stretches of open grass were interrupted by innumerable cultivated areas, copses o'f casuarina, and the close-set ornamental trees that marked the ceremonial dancing grounds. There were no villages —the innumerable houses of the people were scattered in loose groups, half hidden among the trees and sugar cane and each placed conveniently near its cultivation patch. The population of these valleys, from Mount Hagen right clown to the Fari Furoro, was astonishing. Not only were the valley floors densely inhabited, but columns of smoke could "be seen far up the mountainslopes showing further habitation. It was an amazing experience to gaze dow£ on so great a number of people, unknowr to the world for so long, who seemed to be even in excess of the estimatcr given by Hides and O'Malley."