[ 1 ] 



SECTION I. 



NAERATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION IN 1896. 



Bij Professor W. J. Sollas, D.Sc, LL.D., F.R.S, 



On Monday, March 10, 1896, I left London to join the Orient s.s. "Oroya" at 

 Naples, on board of which was Mr. Stanley Gardiner, who had volunteered to 

 accompany me to assist in the objects of the Expedition. After a pleasant but 

 uneventful voyage, we reached Sydney on Saturday afternoon, April 18, and were 

 warmly welcomed by Professor Edgeworth David, who invited me to make his 

 house my home till the " Penguin " was ready to start. The time I spent in his 

 society, and that of Mrs. David and her charming family, will always remain one of 

 the most enjoyable reminiscences of my journey. 



The Committee which had been formed in Sydney to co-operate with the Committee 

 of the Royal Society had been active in making preparations for some time past, but 

 there still remained some details to discuss, and meetings were held, at which I was 

 present, on April 20, 23, and 27. These gave me an opportunity of becoming more 

 closely acquainted with our friends and fellow workers. Professor Andeuson Stuart, 

 Messrs. Slee and Etheridge, from all of whom I received the greatest kindness ; I 

 was also able to read before the full Committee the instructions with which I had 

 been furnished by the Committee of the Royal Society. 



The Admiral in command of the Australian Squadron hospitably entertained the 

 members of the Expedition, and showed a close personal interest in its objects, which 

 proved of assistance to us in many ways. 



On Friday, May 1, we went aboard the " Penguin " and were warmly received by 

 Captain Mostyn Field, R.N., and his officers, Lieutenant Dawson (now Com- 

 mander), Lieutenant Waugh, and Dr. Collingwood, Messrs. Nares and Brewis. 

 To Captain Field, who entertained me as his guest, I am under deep obligations ; he 

 spared no effort to render the Expedition a success, and by numerous acts of kindness 

 did all that was j)ossible to mitigate the discomforts attendant upon residence on an 

 uncivilised island. 



On "Wednesday, May 13, we entered the beautiful harbour of Suva, Fiji, and spent 

 two or three days in completing preparations for the survey of Funafuti ; Captain 

 Field was occupied most of the time in making preliminary observations with his 

 magnetic instruments, while we, thanks to the kindness of the Hon. Dr. Corney and 

 the Hon. John Berry, who had organised excursions for us, were able to see some- 



B 



