Many Skulls

iks, and Gaisseau soon decided to Jtinue on foot. fhe real trek began on November j and within a week the expedi ji reached the hill country and san to climb the mountains of Central ranges, fhey climbed one 6,000-ft peak .1 then cut their way through a ?ise moss forest on the other side, nich felt like walking on a huge mge”. Then the country rapidly same more rugged. On one easion the men covered only four aes in four days.

On this ascent, with cold, npestuous winds and rain, two of carriers died from exhaustion ihin a few days. Gaisseau has re tted that all were clothed in the ne warm clothes as the European mbers.

10,500 ft. Climb

'The expedition climbed to 10,500 Jt before it began dropping again the other side of the ranges, fi was able to spend Christmas uped at a river which the ex lition named Maryke River, after » of the four Dutch Royal mcesses. On Christmas morning ived a Christmas parcel by air im one of Kroonduif’s Twin [*neer aircraft —a Christmas cake ti a bottle of cognac. a few days later the expedition es on the move again, and follow the Maryke River as it thundered [h speed through narrow gaps. ?was not until three weeks later, January 24, that the river ►adened and the expedition built : rafts to enable it to float down- Eeam.

Sut one morning a raft was torn ;se from its moorings, together [h three men and equipment and “pt into a section of the river II of whirlpools and rapids. The ree carriers reached shore safely some equipment was lost.

Gaisseau decided to give up the ;a of rafts, and they went on ain by foot. Shortly afterwards third carrier died and was buried, iis believed he had not recovered im the hardships of the Central ages climb.

Many Skulls

rhe expedition reported that ere were many skulls on bamboo les along the Maryke River, Ihough the natives were friendly, fl sometimes even hospitable, rhe majority of the Europeans in e expedition left for Hollandia Beaver aircraft when the ex iiition reached the Idenburg River February. The difficult part of journey was then over. Patrol ficer Sneep said when he arrived Hollandia at that time that the edition had not been sufficiently :iipped to tackle the crossing of 9 Central ranges.

Gaisseau and de Maigret made

the last leg of the crossing to Hollandia within six weeks.

At Humboldt Bay there was quite a Press reception for them, with senior officials also present.

Said Mr. Gaisseau, “I have wanted to make this expedition for the last 10 years, and now it is finished.”

Mr. Gaisseau.