Hides Party

weeks have elapsed since any|'i| word was received from the Hides- i Lyall prospecting party, in Papua, Messrs. Jack Hides and Dave Lyall, on j behalf of Investors Ltd., Sydney, went up j the Strickland River, in Western Papua; pegged out two dredging claims in April, May, and June; and in July and August pushed on up the Strickland, through

unknown and unexplored territory.

They maintained contact with Port Moresby with a portable radio set. In August, Hides reported that Lyall was very seriously ill, with dysentery; and, finally, that he had decided to retrace his steps, down the Strickland.

Since then, no message has come through. This may be due to a breakdown in the radio equipment. .

Mr. Dufaur is leading a drilling party up the Strickland, to test the dredging claims. He expects to reach the claims at the end of September; and, as he car ries radio equipment, it is hoped that he will report, early in October, that he has met the Hides party.

SEPT. 16. —It is reported to-day that Hides is on the Lower Fly, and canoeing towards Daru. He has made an amaz ingly quick trip from Central N. Guinea

down the Strickland, bringing Lyall for

medical help. Lyall is reported to be desperately ill. Reports from native sources say that the party met with an accident on the Lower Fly and lost all

equipment.

LATER. —P.O.D. launch has arrived at Daru with Hides and Lyall.