422 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 



conditions and resources were more widely investigated than 

 on his former visit. Nadi is tlie name appHed to tlie most 

 easterly of these islands, the whole being only a few feet 

 above high-water level. In this and the neighbouring groups 

 to the westward are several secure harbours. While some of 

 the islands are covered with excellent soil, admirably suited 

 for the production of varieties of native food, the inhabitants 

 of others are compelled to obtain supplies from indulgent 

 neighbours. The dwellers are of Papuan type, active and 

 inteUigent. For arms they use the spear, shield, tomahawk, 

 and knife ; stone instruments he'mg superseded by the more 

 modern article from the blacksmith's forge. In dancing 

 they are remarkably clever in the performing of graceful 

 movements with the shield. They carve wood, and devote 

 much time to fishing. The fish are caught in very large 

 quantities, and cooked in wide-mouthed clay pots. In dis- 

 position Sir William found the islanders friendly and eager 

 to trade. The Murua group, nearly half a century ago, 

 witnessed the first struggles of the Marists in the noble and 

 self-sacrificing cause of Christianity. These are recorded in 

 the history of the first Melanesian French Catholic Mission, 

 the disheartening trials of these messengers of the Gospel of 

 Christ, in their fruitless efforts to christianise a refractory and 

 freedom-loving tribe of Papuans. 



It was while in this offshoot of the Possession that the 

 opportunity was embraced of extending our hitherto imper- 

 fect knowledge of the north-east coast of the Papuan main- 

 land, which is limited by East Cape on the east and Cape 

 Ward Hunt on the north-west. Apropos of the latter, it 

 may he well to state that since the visit of the late Sir 

 Peter Scratchley, in the Governor Blackall, the promontory 

 forming the coastal boundary of the German and British 

 spheres had been known by the name of Boundary Cape, 

 but that the old appellation has been reverted to by Sir Wm. 

 MacGregor in detierence to the wish of the Hydrographer to 

 Her Majesty's Government. In general aspect the noi'th- 

 east coast is wild, lone, and weird, the mountain ranges being 

 steep and rugged in most places, their flanks and leading 

 spurs washing themselves in the limpid waters of the Pacific. 

 T^o spacious harbours are to be found here, nor do the waters 

 of the coastal slopes find their way to the sea by deep and 

 wide river channels, such as those on the opposite side. To 

 conduct a detailed survey of this part of the territory would 

 require prolonged professional labour, but nevertheless many 



