Exploration In Central

New Guinea

in Central New Guinea are 1 1 gradually being brought under control, as the result of constant patrolling’’, said Mr. A. F. Kyle, Assistant District Officer, of the Chimbu-Mt. Hagen district, New Guinea, on arrival in Sydney by the “Montoro” recently. “The present patrol, being led by A.D O. Taylor, should make known a great deal of hitherto unmap ped territory.

“More than 200 miles of good ‘bridle paths’ have been built in the last 18 months, and it is now possible to patrol the Mt. Hagen district on horse-back, despite the fact that the road traverses country more than 8,000 ft. above sea level,” he added.

Mr. Kyle referred to the part being played in the exploration of primitive territory by ’planes. “Aerial reconnais sance in unknown country is going to prove most valuable to us,” he said. “At the moment, th,e companies are mostly concerned with commercial work, but flights over country to be penetrated, and aerial photographs will enable us to see the lay of the land, the valleys, and where the population is.’’ As an example he quoted the manner in which supplies were flown to the Taylor patrol—more than 8,000 lb. of foodstuffs being dropped through an opening in the bottom of a large Pokker and, by means of parachutes, landed safely, the only “casualties” being two broken medicine bottles.

“Th,ere are numerous traces of gold In various Central New Guinea areas but not enough to warrant exploitation on a large scale,” Mr. Kyle said. “Mr. Mick Leahy is on good gold in the Mt. Hagen district, but he has to pass through 60 ft. overburden before reaching it. He employs about 200 local natives on his workings.”