Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/224

178 this till population has increased and there is adequate control is good and sensible government, and quite the right thing. When, bit by bit, the Germans have explored the land, established tolerably secure relations with the natives, and accustomed them to white folk and their ways, it will be a different matter. Yet it is time that Germany sent out some properly equipped scientific expeditions to map out, survey, and explore the land gradually a thing the settlers cannot do themselves yet. There have been some explorers, but they have done little. Who knows what may be discovered within those mysterious, unknown recesses? British New Guinea has now been surveyed to a great extent, and it is time Germany knew more about her part, but through responsible people. It is so fascinating to gaze at the forest-clad mountains and wonder and wonder what is there—perhaps some ruined ancient monuments of an extinct race, something to throw light on the mysteries of the past.

Here at Friedrich Wilhelms Hafen we had to part from King Peter and Professor Biro, and I was very, very sorry to do so. They remain here till the royal yacht Mato arrives from Sydney, and then she takes them to Deslacs Island. King Peter promised to write to me, and I promised that if ever it is possible I shall go and visit his kingdom. He holds out all sorts of enticements to me, and I can picture nothing I would like better than cruising amongst those lovely isles. King Peter is a strange little character, has many good points, and an individuality of his own.

[When they arrived at Petershafen in Deslacs Island, they found that the natives had risen and massacred many of King Peter's "tame" natives, that his wife and children and some employees were