Noted Missionary

Rev. F. J. Kirschbaum Returns to New Guinea

A DISTINGUISHED anthropologist, Rev.

Franz J. Kirschbaum, of the Society of the Divine Word Mission, arrived in Aus tralia by the Maunganui on May 31, on his way back to New Guinea after four years’ furlough in Germany and Austria.

One of the best known missionaries on the New Guinea mainland, Father Kirsch baum has figured for 25 years in mission and exporatory work. In 1926, he Was the first white man to discover a strange race of dwarfs who live in the mountains near the upper headwaters of the Ramu River.

Father Kirschbaum has made scores of journeys into unexplored parts of the wild, mountainous country of Central New Guinea. He has travelled hundreds of miles up the Sepik River by launch and canoe, collecting scientific information on the habits of the various tribes and races.

Both in his missionary work and through his first-hand and scientific know ledge of New Guinea, Father Kirschbaum

has been of great assistance to the New Guinea Administration. He has been able to guide parties into unknown country, and has been a force in the suppression of head hunting in the hinterland. He al ways travels unarmed.

Rev. Kirschbaum will leave for New Guinea by the Montoro from Sydney on June 17 to finish a book on which he has been working for many years. Although it will be written in German, he expects to publish the volume in English.

Mr. C. Budden, manager of Morobe Gold Alluvials in New Guinea, arrived in Aus tralia by the Montoro early in June, Captain A. Fitch, managing director* of Steamships Trading Co. of Papua, arrived in Sydney on business by the Montoro on June 12.