In Bougainville

New Lake Found

5,000 Feet Up-4 Miles

Long

A party comprising Patrol Officer Wards, Dr. Deland and Messrs.

Kajewski and Pickwell, recently visited a little known lake near Buin, in Bou gainville, Solomon Islands, and were successful in reaching the water’s edge.

Previously, Patrol Officer Warde and Father Poncelet, of the Marist Mission, had made the trip, and had been the first white men to view the lake, which is known as Lake Rurolu.

After two days’ trek from the Buin Government Station, the party made a camp on a small plateau forming one rim of the lake, at an altitude of 5,250 feet. The water level of the lake is approximately 5,000 feet above sea-level, and is very deep. It is about 400 yards wide in parts, and about four miles long. The eastern end is forked, and it was not possible for the party to see where the forks led to. The banks are very steep, and, on the north side, a peak rises sheer out of the water to a height of about 100 feet. The scenery was magnificent, and much bird-life was seen.

Difficulty was encountered in obtain ing native carriers for the trip, as Lake Rurolu is the subject for many curious native legends, and the natives were afraid to visit its shores.