The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-05-19
Scientific Expedition to New Guiner

Although it is now considerably more than
three centuries and half since the large ISL
and Of Papua. or New Guinea, was discovered
by the Portuguese commanders, D'Abreu and
Serrani, It appears somewhat surprising to re-
feet that, as a country, il remains practically
unknown TO Europeans, Nearly so years agc
the Dutch, it IS true, attempted to form 4 set
Element AZ Fort Du Bus, in TritOn's Bay; bu;
they were soon compelled to abandon that low
lying spot, in consequence Of the unhealthiness
Of the climate, which there appeared to be alb
solutely fatal to Europeans. Later Tin 1851
IN expedition, 6tted out by the same maritime
people, undertook TO survey tie River Dour-
% beginning at about 100 miles to the NE
Of False Cape, latitude s. "a south, and
longitude lS7 S. east-but beyond proving
that the " river was strait 30 miles long,
and defining the limits of Prince Frederick
Heuderik's Islsnd) not much was then effected
by the Dutch, who have peculiar facilities for
prosecuting their researches in this direction.
French expeditions, commanded by Duperrey
and Dumout D'Urville (Is22-5, 1879, 1887
Is4O) have also added to our knowledge Of the
southern, western, and northern coasts Of New
Guinea: but our own countrymen have, more
recently. explored much Of this terra incogni-
Is, 50 interesting to the geographer, the ethnol-
ogist. and the naturalist In 1915, Captain
BlackwOod, of HM.S. Fly, surveyed the Great
Blight on the southeast coast, and after Captain
BIackwocd, Captain Stanley, Of the Rattle
snake; Lieutenant Yule, Of the Bramble, and
Captain Moresby, Of the Basilisk, all made
further discoveries in those parts. A scientific
commission, sent by the Netherlands in 1883,
also carried on the work; and SignOr D'AIber-
Il (the italian traveller and naturalistl has yet
more lately labored in the same field, and not
without results honorable TO himself and use
fuI 10 science. In spite Of all this, however,
New Guinea remains still unknown, a country
full Of problems that vet await satisfactory
solution. 1t is to solve some Of these prob
lens, and more especially to add TO these re-
sources Of natural history, as opened up in the
vast island Of New Guinea, that Mr.. William
Mscleay, Of this city, has determined to 1T out
at his own expense an expedition 10 Papua IN
explore the coast, to visit the interior, and sys-
tematically to collect specimens Of the fora
and fauna Of New Guinea. In preparation for
this scientific expedition, Mr. Ascleay has pur-
chased the Chevsrt, a fine bark Of $50 tons, Of
which it is understood that Captain Edwaries
Is to be commander. She is to be fitted up
with every convenience for her appointed new
service, and viii, it is expected, be ready in
Nay. The Chevert is to carry a steam launch
on deck for the navigation Of rivers; for this
expedition will Be directed not merely TO the
pleasant and instructive labors Of the natural
is, but to the exploration Of the interior Of the
country generally, and to such an exploitation
Of its natural resources as must invest the
cruise Of the Chevert with a very special in
terest and mportance.-SyiHsy HsTad