4 32 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 



35 to 40 miles away. In this section of the river traces of 

 gold Avere also found. The general physical character of the 

 country consisted of low forest-clad sandstone hills, ranging 

 about 300ft. high, the trees being similar in character to those 

 common to the lowlands of the coastal regions. The exposed 

 face of the high banks of the river disclosed a seam of lignite 

 some Gin. in thickness, but of no value for commercial 

 purposes. 



As numerous snags rendered further progress by boats 

 impracticable without examination of the river, a fortified 

 camji was constructed on the bank of the Palmer, some 600 

 miles from the mouth of the Fly River. Here the shade 

 temperature was 90 deg. at mid-day, and 74 deg. Fahr. at 

 night. Traces of fine gold were found here also. Two 

 Polynesians and one Papuan were placed in charge of the 

 600-mile camp, and the remainder of the party proceeded in 

 the whaleboat some 14 miles further up the Palmer River. 

 From this position the Victor Emmanuel Ranges were again 

 viewed. These ranges, which seemed to lie wholly within the 

 German territory, are apparently excessively rugged and pre- 

 cipitous, part of them, at least, being inaccessible. Between 

 these and the position of the explorers lay a range of moun- 

 tains of from 5000ft. to 6000ft. high. Part of this, which 

 appeared to lie within the German possession, was named 

 Mount Blucher, and the British section Mount Donaldson. 

 This part of the country appeared to be inhabited by a large 

 population, less nomadic than their southern neighbours. 

 Their large and well cultivated gardens denoted the habits of 

 an agricultural class of people. In view of the scattered 

 position of the expedition, and the fact that a much longer 

 time would be required to explore the ranges than the party 

 could afford to devote to that purpose, it was decided to turn 

 back. Commencing the return journey on the morning of 

 the 24th January, 1 890, the scattered fragments of the expe- 

 dition were collected safely, and the mouth of the river 

 reached after an absence of five weeks and four days, the 

 distance travelled during that time being about 1200 miles. 

 Concerning the results of this expedition, the first to accom- 

 plish the remarkaljle feat of navigating over 600 miles of 

 river in the interior of New Guinea, it may briefly be stated 

 that for administration ]:)urposes the information obtained is 

 important. Commercially, however, the results are of less 

 value, especially above Everill Junction. The existence of 

 gold has been clearly established beyond doubt, but we are 



