Geographical Data
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Northern New Hebrides Geographical Data
A VERY full, interesting, and scientiflc ally valuable description of the island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides by Dr. John R. Baker, M.A., was read before the Royal Geographical Society in London on December 10, 1934, and was subsequently published in the Geographical Journal of March, 1935.
It is disclosed that Dr. Baker climbed Santo Peak, the height of which is 5,566 ft. He reports also that Mount Tab wemasana is 6,195 ft. high and lies about seven miles in a direct line from the nearest point on the coast. Members of the expedition also climbed the following mountains, none of which had been pre viously ascended by Europeans: Linisupe (5,369 ft.), Paramua-wawke (4,197 ft.), Ratsawoni (4,328 ft.), Wunarosaisari (4,125 ft.), and Wuna-tupoi (3,918 ft.).
This appears to be the most valuable description to date of the geographical features of Espiritu Santo.
In an earlier paper (read before the Royal Geographical Society on January 21, 1929) Dr. Baker gave a full account of investigations in the Northern New Hebrides. This paper was published in the Geographical Journal of April, 1929.
This paper contained, among other things, an account of the Island of Gaua, and of the lake which it contains at a height of 1,100 ft. Dr. Baker says that the lake with its surrounding hills is the crater of an immense extinct volcano.
There is considerable thermal activity in this region. Dr. Baker says that the lake has a flat bottom at approximately 325 feet.
Rev. J. R. and Mrs. Andrew, of Dobu, Papua, reached Sydney on a holiday visit by the Macdhui on January 24. Mr. An drew is chairman of the Methodist Mis sionary Society in Papua.