TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 819 



A Becent Visit to tlie Chatham Islands, and some Points in Connection 

 with Geographical Distribution. By H, O. Forces, F.Z.S. 

 [Will be published in the ' Proceedings of the R.G.S.'] 



4. On some Becent Explorations in British New Guinea. 

 By CouTTS Trotter. 



The writer described the bearing of some recent journeys on the physical 

 geography of New Guinea, but dwelt with especial emphasis on the marvellous 

 development among the natives, within the last two or three years, of confidence 

 and friendship, and of a comprehension of the principles of law and order — due to 

 the enlightened administration of the Governor, Sir William Macgregor. 



5. The Eastern Lacs States of Siam in the Melconrj Valley.^ 

 By W. K. D. Beckett, ofH.M.'s Consular Service in Siam. 



This paper is briefly descriptive of a journey taken by Mr. "W. R. D. Beckett, 

 under instructions from H.B.M.s Minister at Bangkok, through the Eastern Laos 

 States of Siam, and extending over a period dating from November 25, 1891, to 

 April 4, 1892. Mr. Beckett's first objective point was the town of Korat, the 

 capital and the most important centre of those States, distant by the shortest route 

 165 miles north-east from Bangkok, and between which and Bangkok a line of 

 railway has already been commenced by the Siamese Government. Mr. Beckett, 

 however, did not take the usual and shortest route, owing to the fear of want of 

 transport ; but crossing to Patriew and Kabin, country districts some 100 miles 

 east of Bangkok, followed the main road leading south-eastwards to Sisophone, 

 near the inland sea of Cambodia, thence by bullock-cart track almost due north 

 across the hill-range, 800 to 1,100 feet high, which encircles the Eastei-n Laos 

 plateau, and onwards in a north-westerly direction to Korat. The river Moon, or 

 Pramoon, or Peemoon, as it is variously called, which runs from west to east across 

 the Eastern Laos States into the Mekong River, was forded about ten miles south- 

 east of Korat. After a stay of ten days Mr. IJeckett left Korat on January 3, 

 1892, and journeyed by bullock-cart, across the thinly populated and occasionally 

 undulating plateau stretching between that town and the river Mekong, almost 

 due north to the important town of Nongkhai on the latter river, lying slightly 

 south of the 18° of north latitude. Ten days were spent at Nongkhai, during 

 which a visit was paid to the interesting ruins of Wiengchan, the ancient capital 

 of a once most extensive kingdom which embraced the whole of the Eastern Laos 

 States in the V^alley of the Mekong. From Nongkhai Mr. Beckett descended the 

 river Mekong to Kemmarat. a village on the right bank, and striking across by 

 land to Oobone, a town on the Moon River equal almost in importance to Korat, 

 took boat down that stream as far as the rocky barrage at its mouth, and there, 

 changing boats, redescended the Mekong. Stoppages were made at Bassac, once 

 the capital of a large State, at the cataracts of Lih Pih below the island of Khong, 

 and at Chiengteng, an important Siamese town a few miles north of the Cambodian 

 frontier. After passing many dangerous rapids Mr. Beckett entered Cambodian 

 territory, and taking the steamer of the Messageries Fluviales Co. at Kratieh, 

 the highest point of the river navigable by steamers in the dry season, arrived at 

 Pnompenh, the capital of Cambodia, on March 23. Changing steamers here, 

 Mr. Beckett descended the Mekong to the sea, and reached the French port of 

 Saigon on the next day, returning thence to Bangkok by way of Singapore. 

 Mr. Beckett arrived at Bangkok on April 4, after an absence of lo2 days. 



' Published in the Proceedings of the B. G.S. 



3 .; 2 



