BACK FROM THE JUNGLE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13330, 20 March 1911, Page 5

BACK FROM THE JUNGLE.

PAPUA EXPLORERS SAFE. ARRIVAL AT THURSDAY ISLAND. Frees Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. THURSDAY ISLAND. March 18. Staniforth Smith, Pratt, and Bell have returned here safely. 17 of their native carriers perished during the journey hy starvation and drowning. Another account from Brisbane states that the missing Papuan party is safe. Hicy lost their food and clothing through the capsizing of a raft. The natives assisted them. THE WRONG TRACK. SYDNEY. March 18. Smith believed that the river he was descending was the Strickland, and was much surprised, on arriving at his old camping ground, t6 discover that he had been on the Kikori all the time. Ho found the food depot of the search party, secured the boat, and travelled to Daru, from whence a pearling lugger brought him to Thursday Island. The search parlies are unaware of the safety of the explorers. Short of Food. Tlie party suffered extreme hardship and privation, and had extraordinary adventures. They ascended the river Kikori for 50 miles and struck north-east into unknown country. They crossed three large rivers, and followed one for 250 miles up from the coast. They encountered many rapids. Food supplies ran short, and their only sustenance was palm pith. They turned back and constructed rafts in order to make the downward journey. In shooting rapids several carriers were drowned. Navigation Impossible. They finally came to rapids extending 150 miles, and they were forced to abandon the river and make a way through rough country. The natives supplied food. They reached the river again and utilised rafts for completing the journey. Excepting those who perished, Smith’s party is all well THE LEADER'S STORY. A Perilous Journey. MELBOURNE, March 18. Staniforth Smith, in a message to Mr Batchelor, states that in the early part of the journey he crossed the high mountain range and pushed down, expecting to reach the alluvial country drained hy the Tumari and Mamu Rivers. On January 24th he reached what he believed was the upper waters of the Strickland River. Loss of Life. He continues: “We had walked 254 miles through exceedingly rough jungle scrub, through which we had,to cut our way, and found the river impassable, with rapids running through gorges 1200 feet high. It was impossible to cross. Proceeding along the banks, we made a raft and started down, the river. The rapids became worse, and the raft was dashed tp pieces. Some of the carriers were killed, and wo lost our food supplies, tents, and baggage. 3i Miles a Day. After five days the expedition, who were scattered on both sides of the river, got together, but after' that were fnodless. Wo decided to travel the river hank until the rapids ceased, and continued to travel, doing 120 miles in 34 days. There were frequent stoppages, which wore necessary, as the supplies of sago were very precarious. We then made rafts and reached the coast, finding that the river was the Kikori, which we followed for 300 miles. Owing to the privations, I could not have got through without the splendid co-operation of Bell and Pratt.” 524 MILES COVERED. Good Results from the Expedition. MELBOURNE. March 18. Staniforth Smith, in a further message to Mr Batchelor, says that the expedition returned to Goaribari on the sth, and thence crossed to Thursday Island. They visited the upper waters of the Strickland River, returning along the north-west bank of the Kikori, travelling 374 miles on toot, and 150 hy river through totally unexplored country. They completed the major portion of the exploration of the territory. Important Coal Discoveries. The most important information gathered was that they found a small coal /-reek near the Lower Kikori, and a large field of excellent coal in the Upper Kikori. The western division, instead of being largely Ipw-lying alluvial land, consists for the greater portion of an elevated plateau. The lowest valley was 2000 feet above sea level. The country was a vast and upraised mass of coal alon<- the upper waters and watersheds, the great rivers emptying into the gulf, now fairly defined, completing the knowledge of the river systems -of the territory. They have now data estimating the population with some accuracy. They established friendly relations with tlie hushmen everywhere. There was no fighting. They found sago growing inland at an elevation of 3500 feet.

CONGRATULATIONS. MELBOURNE, March 13. The Hon. Mr Batchelor congratulated Mr Staniforth Smith on his return. LATER DETAILS. Thrilling Story of Adventure. Narrow Escapes from Drowning. Received March 20, 10.20 a.m. . SYDNEY. March 20. Later details show that Mr. Staniforth Smith’s party reached Thursday Island early on Friday. Owing to St. Patrick’s Day being a holiday they had to wait till tho next day to got the news through. The explorers had a great reception. It transpires that when the party had nearly reached the mouth of the, Kikori river they met one of tho relief boats. They were in an exhausted condition owing to their long rough travels and tho scarcity of food. When tho raft went oyer tho rapids the three white leaders hid a narrow escape. They were carried a long way down the river. Smith scrambling out one side, and Pratt and Bell the other side. It was five days before they wore able to rejoin'the rest of tho party. _ ' _ ' Eleven native carriers were swept off the raft, and never again seen. 'The party lost all their supplies, tents, and records of the journey. The only food was a little cocoa recovered from the wreck, and yams, taro sago, gathered bn route. The party were frequently compelled to stop to recover strength and gather food.

* They shot some pigs, but refrained from eating much moat for fear of sickness. Another trouble was that they had no means of lighting a fire, Mr. Pratt had his box of matches when he plunged into the river. After some days they dried and they got a light. In order to save the few remaining matches, in case of emergency they carried a piece of burning wood for thirty-four days wherever they went. After reaching the relief boat, which was sent out by the Resident Magistrate at Goaribari, the explorers carefully dieted themselves for fear of illness after their long fast. Only the three whites came on to Thursday Island, the native members of the expedition were left at Daru.