The Duiffien Chart.

The following appeared in the “Sydney Morning Herald” of September 2: Professor G. C. Henderson, in a letter from London to Mr. Ifould (Mitchell Library), says— ‘‘Dr. Wieder has recently found a chart drawn by Roossengin on board the Duifflen, of her discovery of the western coast of York Peninsula, in 1606. He has given me a copy, with permission to use it as I wish. It is my intention to send it out on loan to your trustees for exhibition in the Mitchell Library.

It is the first authentic record of the discovery of any part of Australia by a white man. Some months before Torres went through the straits, and every place he visited is clearly marked on the chart.”

“This,” said Mr. Ifould, “is an ex ceedingly important discovery. Owing to the absence of any direct record of the Duiffien’s voyage, geographers have frequently questioned whether she ever did more than sail along the south coast of New Guinea —that is, whether those on board really had the first sight of any part of Australia. This chart answers that question, which has been a matter of controversy among geo graphers for more than a century. The Mitchell Library will obtain from Dr.

Wieder a facsimile reproduction of the chart in colour.”

Dr. Wieder is probably the most dis tinguished authority in the world on early maps, and is editor of “Monumenta Cartographica.” It is understood that he will collaborate with Professor Hen derson in a joint work on the Tasman voyages, and intends visiting Australia, probably within twelve months after Professor Henderson returns.