Spying Out Secrets of Unknown N

Unknown N. Guinea Young Explorers Use Aeroplane

IN pursuance of the plan of carrying out an aerial reconnaissance, before the new expedition led by Mr. Ivan F. Cham pion left for the unexplored region in North-Western Papua, a party consisting of Mr, Ivan Champion, Mr. Jack Hides, Mr. F. E. Williams (Papuan Government Anthropologist), and Mr. Lewis Lett, left Port Moresby by aeroplane on January 28 and proceeded to Wau, and thence over the Upper Ramu and Upper Purari country to the Mount Hagen aerodrome, in Northern New Guinea. The ’plane was provided by Guinea Airways Limited, and Mr. C. R. Gurney, one of that company’s most experienced pilots, was in charge.

The party, in New Guinea, was joined

by Mr. J. L. Taylor, Assistant District Officer. This was a fitting arrangement because it was Mr, Taylor, with Messrs.

Mick and Dan Leahy, who carried out that famous patrol from the Upper Ramu across the headwaters of the Purari to Mount Hagen, about three years ago, and thus for the first time made this valuable and fascinating country known to Euro peans and to science.

As was explained in our issue of August 1935, this Purari-Hagen country discovered by the Leahy-Taylor expedi tion is of the same general character, and contains the same racial types, as the region to the south-westwards, in North- Western Papua, which was penetrated in 1935 by the Hides expedition, and (see elsewhere in this issue) by the Fox Brothers expedition at the end of 1934.

It is now proposed that Mr. Ivan Cham pion shall lead a party into the southern part of this unknown Papuan country, in the vicinity of the route followed by Mr.

Hides; and the purpose of the aerial reconnaissance was to give Mr. Hides and Mr. Taylor an opportunity of flying over

unknown Central New Guinea with Mr.

Champion, and pointing out to him its general features and disposition.

It was not practicable for the aeroplane to fly over the unexplored central region from Papua, because the nearest Papuan aerodrome is at the Lakekamu, over 200 miles from the scene of Mr. Hides’ recent expedition. But, by going around into the Mandated Territory, and flying north westwards to Mount Hagen, the aero plane was right on the edge of the unex plored territory, and less than 100 miles in a direct line from the northerly limit of the region visited by Mr. Hides.

The party, on February 1, flew south wards and south-westewards from Mount Hagen in what appears to have been a completely successful reconnaissance.

They located the Tari Furoro Valley (which last year was found, and de scribed by Mr. Hides as a “Papuan Won derland,’’ and the party agreed that the description was entirely fitting). It is said to be a place of great beauty and general attractiveness, capable of supporting a huge population. They got far enough south to see the great limestone barrier; and to identify the estuary of the Tu rama, which flows into the Gulf of Papua.

It is reported, also, that they traced the course of the Purari, from its headwaters in New Guinea, to the main stream in Papua.

Many photographs were taken during the flight, and while the aeroplane was flying over the native villages in the Tari Furoro country, cowrie shells were drop ped on the cultivated patches. Mr, Hides learned when he was there last year that these shells are very highly valued. The official report of this flight should be very interesting and valuable.

The party returned to Wau on Febru ary 4.

It is anticipated that Mr. Champion will set out upon his expedition at any early date.