EXPLORERS' RETURN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10107, 20 March 1911, Page 1

EXPLORERS' RETURN.

1 -— ■— —- AND PRIVATIONS

'; THE PARTY'S ADVENTURES. i -United Press Association— By Electric 1 Telegraph—CopyrightSYDNEY, March 18. '/ Mr - Stanif orth Smith believed that the river he was descending was ,tne Strickland, and he was much surprised £n arriving at the camping ground to discover, that ho had boon on the likori all the time. He found a food flepot of the search party, secured a fboat and travelled to where a lugger brought him to Thursday Island: The search parties are unaware 'of the safety of the explorers. ; THURSPAY ISLAND, March 18. Mr Staniforth Smith's party suffered extreme hardship and privation, ana met with extraordinary adventures. ■They descended the river. hakori fatty miles, struck north-east through unknown country, crossed, three large rivers, followed one 250 miles up from 'the coast, and '' encountered many rapids. Food supplies ran short, and their only sustenance was palm pitli. ffibey turned back, and constructed bafts' to make the downward journey, ffn- shooting the xapids several carriers Hvere drowned. Finally they came to frapids extending over 150 miles, and they were forced to abandon the river land make their way through -rough 'country. The natives supplied them ,hvith food, They reached the river again, and utilised rafts, completing 'the " journey. . Excepting those who 'perished, Mr Smith's party are all {well. ■

H ' ME STANIFORTH SMITH'S 1 REPORT.

■f MELBOURNE, March 19. ' Mr Stanif orth Smith, ■in a message to Mr Batohelor, Federal Minister ot Internal Affairs, states that in the early part of-the.journey he crossed a high mountain range, and pushed down expecting to reach alluvial country 'drained by the Tumari and Mama 'Rivers. On January 24 he reached .what he believed to be the upper Waters of the Strickland Iliver. Ihe party had walked 254 miles in exceedingly rough jungle and scrub, ■ tnr s u S n jfrhich they; had to cut their way. They found the river impassable, with Vapids running through gorges 1200 feet high. It was impossible to cross. along the banks they made (a raft and Btarted down the river. __e rapids became worse, and the raft Was dashed to pieces and some carriers Were killed. The party lost the food Supplies, tents and baggage. After five' days the expedition, which was j scattered on both sides of the river, got together. As they were foodless, ithey decided to travel along the river ibanks until the rapids ceased. They travelled 120 miles hi thirty-four days, frequent stoppages "were necessary, as She supplies of sago were very pre'cariouß. They then made rafts andi reached the coast, finding that the ■ river was the Kikori, which they had "followed 300 miles. Mr Smith, speaking of the party's privations, says that tt could not have got through without the splendid co-operation of Mr Bell and Mr Pratt.

> results of the expedition. h important" information i GATHERED. ~ ; MELBOURNE, March 19. i Mr Staniforth Smith, in a further message to Mr Batchelor, says that the Bxpedition returned to Goaribari on fylarch 5, and thence crossed to Thursday Island, It visited the upper waters Df the Strickland River, returning along the north-west Kikori, travelling 874 miles on foot ,and .150 by river through totally unexplored country. It completed the major portion of the exploration of the territory, and most important information was gathered. The party found a small coal seam near the lower Kikori and a large field of excellent coal in the upper Kikori. The | Western division, instead of being largely lowjying alluvial country, consists in the greater portion of an elevated plateau, the lowest valley of which is 2000 ft above sea-level. The country is a vast upraised mass of soral. The upper watershed of the great rivers emptying into the gulf is how fairly defined, completing the knowledge of the river systems of the territory. Mr Smith says he now has flata for estimating with some accuracy.' He established Sriendlv relations with the bushmen* jeverywWe. There was no fighting. Me found sago growing inland at an Elevation of 3500 ft. Mr Batchelor congratulated Mr [Staniforth Smith on his returnt.