A MODERN TREASURE ISLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1926, Page 21

A MODERN TREASURE ISLAND.

THE LURE OF NEW GUINEA. \ "—~■—■ ♦ ONCE PART OF AUSTRALIA* (BY R. C. MACPKERSON), 111. In' the preceding articles I have attempted to convey some idea of the hidden gold resources of this vast Island Continent, and the difficulties attending successful location of the' precious metal in any definately circumscribed area. which will lend itself to scientific development. . In this article, a review of the latent mineral possibilities of New Guinea will indicate that in regard to the baser , nictate Nature have for some unforeseen reasons chosen to place her -resources in this respect, freely at , the disposal of ; man and in bulk area sufficient to please • even the most ambitious of "quantity; • production" specialists. That New Guinea in the distant past - was part and parcel of the northern . portion of Australia is clearly evidenced, by the flora and fauna of the former, continent, which on the mineral fields are practically identical, and in regard to the general contour of the landscape,, country rock and geological datatjthej evidence of similarity is even more* striking. The mineralized area, in Papua of New; : Guinea, is a well denned belt approximately 10 or 12 miles wide and extending S.E. by N.W. for many many; miles, with, innumerable "blows" or, . minor upheavals to clearly indicate the] presence of copper lodes of considerable) magnitude. The Aetrolabe Mineral Field, as thi* area is termed, is located on a semi* • plateau about 1700 feet above sea level, the landscape comprising the typical Queensland ironston ridges with, dry; arid and stony surface. Soil, sparsely; 'sheltered with the homely gum and other trees indigenous to Australian "forest , * ■ country. -'■ ,

Burning OS the Fields. To make a thorough prospect of surf indications, it is absolutely necessary to .' burn ; off email areas at a time, and ; that, needless to say is only safe to d<| when wind and weather are suitable. These fires have to -be actively con* trolled, as otherwise /the area burnt , would be so large thai before one tenth > of *it could be thoroughly prospected, •'" the remainder would again be over-run " with an equally lusty crop of green grassy '• impossible to. work amongst and iinpoe* :■ sible to burn.V., , On the mineral plateau, climatic • conditions are .equally as healthy as any; . part of Australia or New Zealand* [ During Whs day it ie certainly hot, • but a dry heat akin to northern Auetra- ; lia and the nights are quite chilly and] j bracing. ,' • 1 The regular use of mosquito nets, fol| '■ comfort as well as health reason* an<s .; an occasional tot of quinine will, in th 4 ! majority of cases, prove ample protect . tion (against fever. The majority of th«| - discovered, copper lodes in this area run} ~'• almost duo'north and south and carry ivL ; most cases the time honoured ironstontj ' of gossan .cap. ■ , • Surface values are usually very rich* ; and I have personally on several occasional ; handled surface carbonate ore bulking '. from 30 per cent to 63 per cent copper, : with a few penny-weights of gold, and . a few ounces of silver thrown in for, ' smelting expenses. . In the sulphide zones, however, which are frequently reached at comparatively, ' shallow depths of 60 to 80 . feet, copper contents sometimes recede to as low as '. two and three per cent. This grade of ore which applies to some of the big bulk propositions carries heavy lime con* tents, and is practically self fluxing. Until recent -years about 100 to 150 feet was the limit of shaft development of any lode on the field, as the complete absence of roads of any kind over rugged and precipitous country leading to the coast prohibited' the transport of anything but the richest of concentrates. With few exceptions the copper lode* of the . area in question , are low grade propositions, extensive beyond all ques- . tion, but demanding ample capital, and adequate machinery on the spot for their proper development. Not on the Menu Now. ' Until recent years "heard hunting" and cannibalism were the national pastime* of the gentle Papuan, and exploration of the hinterland at all times incurred a liability of figuring on the menu at . some rural celebration. In these circumstances it is little wonder that individual prospecting languished, and any development attempted was of & fleeting nature. During the last twenty-five years, •however, under the firm Government of the late Sir William McGregor, whose policy of' "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," inculcated respect, if well concealed, for the "Gubbenrienrt feller," and the straight forward but paternal methods of the present excellent Administrator, ' Judge Murray, with a. few isolated exceptions, the various tribes, and they are legion, have adopted more peaceful attitudes to the white men in their midst, and although to a man devoted adherents of the "I won't work" doctrine offer no opposition to present day effort of opening up the vast resources that have lain dormont co long. Under the bettered conditions capital has been interested at last in the mineral fields, and recent developments on one of the oldest copper shows, the Laloki Mines, has warranted the erection of up-to-date smelters on the spot, and the •layout being contemplated of a> email •light railway from the port to an adjacent point. Ample hydro-electric . . power can be generated under most inexpensive conditions, closeby in a river fall, which come day will be included in the tourists' itinerary of New ~ Guinea. The practical development of thi* mining property past the 1000 feet level, by a wealthy Australian company, has ■ demonstrated that the New Guinea lodee go down and in the "fissure" development, which has been a recent characteristic of the Laloki, highly payable values are obtainable. It augers well for the future mineral history of this large continent. One aspect of this huge mineral field will always appeal to the large mining interests, and that is the size and proximity of the deposits. Low grade they be in the earlier levels, but in mansized lodes, and in the development of these, a happy combination of capital and efficient handling on a large scale, will, in the not far distant future, provide New Guinea with a mineral industry and output of "very considerable magnitude. :■ ~"; ', . Already, to-day, by all reports, Port Moresby: is shaking off its former apathy. . Roads, motor cars and trucks running miles 'into., -the- country, modern hotels, up-to-date ' steam laundrys, local newspapers, picture 'palaces, and, last but by no means least, a uniformed police force, are today striking evidence of the advent • 'of civilisation, all of which were con- '-A spicouAJy? absent j during my - gojourjt. A there a gswi years ago. . ■ N-j. - ' "■-*" - ,-? : ■....' ! ■■"i^k