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Melbourne Herald A question of very considerable importance to all who take an interest in determining the true history of the discovery of the Australian Continent has been revived by a contributor to a contemporary. On the beach, near Belfast, there is the wreck of an old vessel, believed to be of Dutch, Portuguese or Spanish build, and constructed, it is thought, of mahogany, which lies entombed in the sands a short distance from shore. It is conjectured that if this vessel could be in part examined and identified the question of whether the unknown and unmapped continent now called Australia was ever visited by foreign navigators other than those known previous to its occupation by the British race, might be solved, while a clue might be obtained about whether the greater Java of the Portuguese maps was really the land known afterwards as Terra Australis. The question of the identification of this vessel has often been discussed, but although some few years ago her timbers, which were still sound, were exposed by severe storms which hurled aside the superincumbent drift sand, no action was taken to resolve the doubts felt as to her nationality. The Minister of Public Works, who takes an interest in questions affecting the discovery and exploration of Australia, has been approached, and it has been suggested to him that before the dredge is removed from Belfast she might be explored, taking away sufficient of the drift sand in which the curious old wreck is buried, in order to permit of an examination of her being made. The Minister is disposed to approve this course if practicable, and though it is probable the cost will have to be provided by public subscription, there is little doubt felt, but that with the co-operation of the various scientific societies, this would readily be found.
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