New Guinea
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Traders From Dutch
From Our Own Correspondent.
WEWAK, Sept. 30.
AN unusual spectacle was seen on this (north New Guinea) coast in mid- September, when seven canoes, with about 50 natives, came along on a ceremo nial and trading visit from Dutch New Guinea.
Residents wondered what the queer fleet was. They came ashore, planted a flag on the beach, and then fired a volley of shots over it.
They went as far as the Sepik and then returned. They caught fish on the way down, which they also traded to the local natives. One only could speak Pidgin, and he acted as spokesman and chief of the expedition in all transactions.
They seemed to have a fair amount of our currency, which was used to buy up goods at local trade stores. Later, they returned whence they came.
This is the first time for several years that an expedition from Dutch territory has come so far along the. coast.