(Australasian.
H.M.S. Basilisk arrived at Cardwell on the Sth inst., after a cruise along the, eastern const of New Guinea and the adjacent islands. The following account of the cruise is from the Rockhamplon Bulletin, which states that the islands have been formally taken possession of in the name of the Queen. Another Journal contains an account of the cruise, but is silent on the subject of annexation and we have been informed that no information on the subject has been yet received by the naval authorities on this station "HM, 8. Basilisk has just returned from a very interesting cruise, aving made important surveys on the extreme south-east coast of New Guinea—a locality never before visited by civilised men, "The first cruise of the Basilisk extended from Youlle Island to Hood Point, a of 140 miles. The whole of the natly. this line of coast were found to be a light copper-coloured race, and of a most friendly hospitable disposition, A very fne har. dour, surrounded by an undulating and beautiful country, was found about 40 miles east of Redscar Bay, and was named Port Moresby. 'The Basilisk romained in this harbour several days, whilst her boats surveyed and examined the surrounding' coast. The country in the neighbourhood appeared to be a most eligible site for any settlement, and far superior to the country round Itedscar Bay, which is one vast extent of swampy and malarious ground, "The Basilisk's officers and men were in the habit of moving about amongst the natives on shore with perfect confidence and mutual good feeling on both sides.
"The hills are stony and of poor soil, but fairly grassed, and timbered with scattered gum trees; but the valleys and plains are very Fich and fertile, The natives cultivate extensively.
"The second cruise of the Basilisk was on the extreme eastern shore of New Guinea, bleb all the charts represent ay cuding the form of a wedge, with a continuous chain of high mountains to the extreme south-east cape, The surveys of Captain Moresby and Navigating Lieutenant Morivilyan have roved that the eastern termination of Now guinea is in the form of a broad fork, and that the range bad been rent asunder by violent convulsions of nature; and that the south-east arm of New Guinea ends in three lofty and considerable islands separated from each other by deep channels, "Assn extensive bay, 30 miles in length, and from 10 to 15 miles in breadth, separates the south-eastern fork of New Guinea from the north-eastern fork, which is a narrow mountain peninsula terminating in East Cape, The Basilisk, being' short, of fuel and stores, could not proceed round East Cape, but the ship's boats did so, and examined the coast to the southward and westward.
"The whole of this part of New Guinea may be described as fertile and rich in the extreme. The scenery is strikingly grand and maguificent.
"The New Guinea natives, an active and intelligent copper-coloured race, always oxhibited the most friendly and quiet disposition towards the Basilisk's ship's company, and willingly supplied largo quantities of yams, bananas, sugarenne, papas, and other trap" ical productions for small pieces of iron hoop.
Altogether the cruise of the Basilisk may be considered one of the most important which taken for many years in the up new and unknown country. seems to have been often in critical circumstances, surrounded by reefs, Dut she providentially escaped any serious damage.
"Te is said that Captain Moresby is of opinion that the future route between At tralia and China will be through China Strait (one of the channels just discovered by the
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