AN EXCITING JOURNEY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12708, 20 March 1911, Page 5

AN EXCITING JOURNEY.

G7JEAT PRIVATION,

Received March IS, 6.20 p.m

THURSDAY ISLAND, Mar. IS

Stamfcrth Smith, Pratt and Bell have returned here safely. Seventeen of their native carriers perished during iha journey by starvation and drowning.

Another account from Brisbane states that the missing Papua party is sate. They lost their food and clothing •through tho capsizing of a raft. Tha natives assisted ther.;.

Received March 18, 6.40 p.m

SYDNEY, March IS

Smith believed that the river he was descending was the Strickland, and ivr.» n;udi surprised on arriving at his old aanping ground to disco vcc* that he had Lean on tho Kikori all the tim 2. He feuud the fcod depot of the search party, secured the boat .and travelled to Darn, frcin where a lugger brought him to Thursday Island. The search parties are unaware of the safety of the ■explorers.

The party suffered extreme* hardship and privation., and had extraordinary adventures. They ascended the rivar K'ikori for fifty miles and struck northerst into unknown country. They tressed three large rivers and followed ono for two hundred and fifty miks up from the coast They encountered many rapid?. Focd supplies ran short, iind their only sustenance was palm pith. They turned buck and constructed raft* in order to make the downward journey. In shooting rapiJs, several carriers Sv-tre drowned. They £ rally came to rapids extending one hundred and fifty miles, and they wcce forced- to .abandon the river and make a way through rough c>.nnt:y: Tho r.fitives supplied food. They reached, the river again and utilised rafts for •completing the joiu*i ivey. Excepting those who: ■•peri-shed, Smith's party k all weil.