In Dutch New

Guinea

The Lure of The Unknown

From Our Thursday Island Correspondent THE man in the street does not know much about Dutch New Guinea, which I recently had the privilege of visiting.

It may occur to him that the country is largely peopled by cannibals, and of the interior this is still true. However, there is no danger in this respect along the seaboard. A road runs for ninety miles west from Merauke, crossing many rivers in its course, and along this, regular patrols are carried out by the Dutch officials.

The country might be described as crude; it has an unfinished appearance which suggests that Providence lost in terest in it before completion. There are swamps of mangrove, swamps of ti-tree, and swamps of grass. In ad dition, there are areas which might be called “Just Swamps.” The jungle is often knee-deep in water, and is trav ersed by a maze of creeks. Crocodiles and mosquitoes abound.

Apparently not a very attractive country, and yet, like other parts of the great island continent of New Guinea, it has a tremendous fascina tion for men of a roving disposition. It is the unknown that lures! What the unexplored parts of Dutch New Guinea might bring to light is the bait, gold the prize. The mountainous interior must be most interesting.

It may not be generally known that Thursday Island provides fine sport for duck-shooters. Several parties have been out recently in the Jardine Swamps, making the journey by motor boat.