Abstract
FROM advices just received from Queensland the Colonies and India understands that Sir William MacGregor left Port Moresby, for the ascent of Mount Owen Stanley, on April 19, in an open boat, with a party of fourteen for Vanapa River, 30 miles westward. He arrived safely, and pushed the boat up river for eight days, during which period he encountered many difficulties in crossing rapids and dragging the boat over rocks. When he could get no further he camped on the left bank of the river and sent Mr. Cameron (his secretary) back to Port Moresby for supplies, with native carriers to cross the mountain. Mr. Cameron returned with two boats loaded with provisions, thirty natives, and six Polynesians. All being ready, on May 17 the party, comprising forty-two men, left the camp, all packing, and the Governor taking the heaviest load. There were only four whites in the party. They crossed Mount Gleason at Eyton Junction, and then shaped a course north-east by east. At a height of 175 feet they crossed Mount Gunbar, next Mount Kulwald. Mount Belford was crossed at the Joseph River, after which they descended to the Goodwin Spur, and saw the first native house at Goodwin's village, Mount Musgrave, where they camped, the Governor going ahead with four Polynesians and seven natives; then ascended Mount Musgrave for over 7000 feet to Vanapa River and Mount Knutsford Range, over rough country; they followed a spur leading west. After three days march they descended the spur, and began the ascent of Mount Owen Stanley on June 9, reaching the top on June 11 and 12, returning to Mount Musgrave on June 16. All hands started homewards and arrived at River Camp on June 22. They left on June 23, visited a mountain village on June 24, and met the steam launch from the Merrie England, which was searching for the Governor's party, and took them in tow. They arrived at Mana Mana on the 25th, and were taken on to Port Moresby, where the party landed after two months, all well. The only death that occurred was that of a native. The country traversed was very mountainous, and no table-land was discovered. Of the geological formation the country is mainly decomposed slate, granite, and quartz, with no sign of gold. Specimens of rock were collected by the Governor. The climate to 8000 feet is moist, above that dry and bracing. Natives were met on only two occasions, and were extremely friendly. They were stout well-built men, but no women were ever seen. Cultivation paddocks were fenced in. Potatoes, yams, and sugar-cane were plentiful, as also was tobacco. Natives, who were devoid of warlike implements, paid particular attention to head-dresses made of shells procured from the natives on the eastern coast of German New Guinea, who were showing friendly communication. Across the Owen Stanley Range the Governor collected many specimens of new plants, among others being some beautiful yellow rhododendrons, which he has since sent to Melbourne to Baron Von Mueller for report. A great number of new grasses in large patches were discovered. At Mount Victoria (Goodwin) he secured several new birds and one animal, which was something like a native bear, but had a long tail and dusty-brown collar and black extremities. The extreme length was 3 feet 6 inches, of which the tail was 1 foot 6 inches. There were five claws on all the feet, the tail was bushy, and it was estimated that the weight of the animal was 40 pounds. The birds of the lower altitudes were the same as those before seen, except as to a new paradise bird similar to the Great Epimachus. Sir William procured a female Astrachia stephania, the only male bird of that species being in the Museum, Berlin. The Governor procured several new small birds at Mount Victoria, including the identical English lark. Unfortunately, they were eaten by the Polynesians. Entomological specimens were obtained, including a milk butterfly. Only a few were captured.
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Geographical Notes. Nature 40, 449 (1889). https://doi.org/10.1038/040449a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/040449a0