New Species

Found by Archbold Party in Dutch New Guinea

WE have received the following letter from Mr. Richard Archbold, leader of the American scientific expedi tion which is now at work near the North Coast of Dutch New Guinea:— I have read with interest Mr. J. Wil liams’s article in the July issue of the “Pacific Islands Monthly”.

Most of the article I find well-writ ten and correct as to fact, except for the last three and a half paragraphs (which suggested that oil interests were supporting the expedition).

As some official comment reached me, I would be very pleased if you could correct this statement. While I am “a Standard Oil heir”. I no longer have any active interest in it or in affiliated com panies. Nor is there anyone on the ex pedition with an interest in oil. The expedition is interested in making scien tific collections of mammals, birds, plants and insects.

The expedition has spent two very productive months in the field, the first spent around Lake Habbema and the spcond ranging up to 4.500 meters, on the slopes of Mt. Wilhelmina.

The party has secured specimens of a number of new species and find the fauna very abundant for these altitudes.

The “Cuba” At Pt. Moresby

The giant flving-boat. "Guba”. oper ated bv the Arehbold Scientific Expedi tion, arrived in Port Moresby from Dutch New Guinea in the charge of Pilot Rog ers and a crew of four on October 11. for the purpose of picking up an auto matic pilot equipment which has arrived from America.

Tests of the new equipment were made by Mr. Rogers on the following days, and not being entirely satisfied, he flew the “Guba” south to Cairns on October 14 for further adjustments. Messrs. P.

H. Leigh, H. G. Nicholson and K. Frank, nf Port Moresby, accompanied Pilot Rogers to Cairns. They returned to Pt.

Moresby on October 19. and the “Guba” left for Hollandia on October 22.