Unknown Islands in the Pacific.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2044, 18 March 1887, Page 2

Unknown Islands in the Pacific.

The fact that two islands of consider, able size have recently been dissevered in the Pacific Ocean shows that we have much to learn of this great watery expanse. The latest discovery is an island lying less than 100 miles from the northern coast of New Guinea, It has been named Allison Island, is nearly three miles long, rising from 100 to 150 feet above the sea, and has abundant timber. Several specks of fertile and inhabited land, some of them much larger that Allison Island have been found within a few years at a distance of one hundred to two or three hundred miles from . .. New Guinea coast, and similar discoveries are made once in a while in various parts of the Pacific. Oceanica is so large that no map of it can be given in an atlas except on a minute scale. We see hundreds of groups and solitary islands huddled together on the maps, and get the idea that tiio Pacific is thickly studded Win u-i-dant bits of laud. The fact is however, that vessels may sail among these islands for many weeks without once coming in sight of land. Only a few months ago a crew that had been shipwrecked in the great island region of the Pacific rowed north for forty days before they reached Hawaii, the nearest land. Mr A. li. Wallace, who has travelled widely in tho Pacific ■■■.pressed the opinion some time ago that thcroaro still a good many i-iauJa there that have never yet been seen by white men.

Ouco iua wbilea Pacific trader finds some new or little kuowu island, and opens trade with its inhabitants. Jf I business thrives, lie keeps bis secret ! as long as he can, so as to enjoy a monopoly, it was found a while ago when the'Woodlark islands were explored, that an Australian firm had carefully charted the islands several years before, and had been quietly ilading there, ail unknown to the othf A.citic merchants.