BRITISH NEW GUINEA. 439 



belonging to the Tertiary period. Of the sjjecimens obtained 

 the first were discovered at Yule Island. Others have since 

 been found in several localities in the Possession, notably the 

 Upper Strickland River, where marine fossils, chiefly mullusca, 

 were discovered ; the occurrence of ammonites, on the middle 

 region of that watercourse was also observed. It is clear 

 however, that in speaking of the palaeontology of Papua 

 much care and caution is necessary, and that even the best 

 results obtainable are only of a fragmentary character, to 

 which too great an importance must not be attached. 

 Regarding the goldfields, we are in a position to summarise 

 with some considerable degree of confidence, both as to the 

 localities operated upon and the probal^le value of the issues 

 of these ojjerations. Although gold-bearing deposits have 

 been obtained in several districts of the Possession, the chief, 

 and practically the only centre of activity is the island of 

 Sud-Est, and in a much lesser degree some of the neighbour- 

 ing islands, where gold in payable quantities is procured. It 

 is a somewhat remarkable fact that the general geological 

 features of British Papua are in a very considerable degree 

 identical in character with those of Australia, several speci- 

 mens resembling those of the Silurian series from goldfields 

 in New South Wales, while some of the fossiliferous rocks 

 were obtained from beds of clay similar to those at Geelong 

 and Cape Otway in Victoria. From these foregoing remarks 

 it may not be unreasonable, nor unjustifiable, to assume that 

 mineral areas of great value may yet await discovery by the 

 penetrating eyes of British pluck and enterprise in Papua. 



In submitting these brief notes to tlie Geographical Section 

 of the Association the writer trusts that under the distin- 

 guished auspices of its learned Committee, the representatives 

 of kindred organisations, and through them the people, may be 

 induced to aid in furthering the interests of British enterprise 

 in our Papuan possession ; while our peaceful efforts in the 

 cause of science and humanity are directed to the development 

 of its natural resources, and in extending the influence of 

 civilisation to its remotest parts. 



The writer, in conclusion, desires to acknowledge his very 

 great obligations to his deeply esteemed friend. Sir Wm. 

 MacGregor, for much valuable information concerning 

 British New Guinea. 



