Expedition in Tuamotus

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, May 17.

THE scientific expedition sent out by the Bernie Bishop Museum of Honolulu (which is referred to elsewhere in this issue) arrived in Papeete on May 6, and, after a few days’ delay, necessary to take in supplies, etc., left again for the Tuamotu Archipelago and Mangareva on May 11.

Dr. Cook, the leader of the expedition, expects to return with his party to Papeete about the middle of August, after which they will make the return voyage to Honolulu via the Leeward Group.

The vessel used by the expedition is a typical Japanese sampan, now known as the “Islander,” of which there are a great number engaged in the fishing in dustry in the Hawaiian Islands. The high prow usually seen on this class of vessel has been removed and a large deck house erected to afford accommodation for the party.

The “Islander” is about 85 feet in length and is equipped with a 200 horse-power Atlas Diesel engine, which is capable of pushing her along at the rate of 15 miles an hour if necessary: her ordinary speed, however, is round about eight miles.

The small cutter boat “Tiare Tahiti” will act as an auxiliary, to move the scientists from one island to another, as their work demands.

It is reported that the meat works, which it is proposed to establish on the shores of the Gulf of Carpenteria, near the mouth of the Norman River, with the sup port and the assistance of the Queensland Government, will cater not only for the European trade, but will also supply meat to the Far East and Pacific Islands mar kets. The new company is called Superior Preserving Company Pty. Ltd., of Bris bane, and it is calculated that for a start it will treat 8,000 cattle per season.