NEW GUINEA GOLD

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 9

NEW GUINEA GOLD

£800,000 A YEAR. DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD. CHIEF WARDEN ARRIVES. The development of the rich goldbearing areas in the rugged and mountainous country of the mandated territory of Papua, Britisl* New Guinea, administered by the Commonwealth ot Australia, was discussed by Mr. H. Taylonr, chief mining warden, who arrived by the Wanganclla this morning. In the course of a holiday in both islands he will visit the chief mining centres of the Dominion. "The gold mining industry in Js T ew Guinea i<s being developed at a very rapid rate. The present annual production is approximately £800,000, and within another twelve months it will be over a million," said S"l\ Taylom. "The mo*t spectacular aspect about gold mining in the urea ie-the provision for aerial transport for the heavy machinery and the requirements of the European and native population. The Kdie Creek centre is 7000 ft above sea level, and the only means of transport are aeroplanes, and from the aeroplanes by mule and native porters. In this respect the goldfields are absolutely unique, and though only 35 miles distant from the coast, their development was possible only by utilising air transport. The mountain ranges soar to a height of 13,000 ft in some parts of the mining district, and are most inhospitable and heavily ''inhered with dense jungle. There are two dredges operating and more are under construction." Hostile Natives. The territory, said Mr. Taylour, was rapidly being brought under control by the Government and had been penetrated to a distance of 120 miles inland. There were still a large number of hostile natives in the interior and all reasonable precautions, including the carrying of arms, have to be taken by prospectors. The Government demanded that they enter into a bond before they penetrated what was known as the uncontrolled area. Gold had been known to exist in New Guinea for many years, but the expeditions of the Germans failed to locate anything payable. It was not until Australian p'rospectors : just after the war, started to penetrate the interior that gold was found in payable quantities. The most spectacular discovery ■was that at Edie Creek. It took the early prospectors from ten to fourteen days to traverse the intervening country from Salamaua, the port of entry, tc I'kTie Creek, an air-line distance of 3s miles. All supplies were carried on the backs of natives. Two Australians, Royal and Glasson, were working there on "very poor prospects at the foot ol Moun't Kaindi until the rich find was made. The gold was mostly alluvial and nuggets weighing up to 300 ounces had been discovered. Since 192G approximately £1,500,001 worth of gold had been taken out. Al the mining was carried on by privatl enterprise, some of the capital bein; provided by American, eome by British and some by Australian companies. Tin Australian Government took 5 Tier cen royalty of all gold won, in addition t( lease and water right fees. The native population, said Mr. Tay lour, was being brought gradually unde control, and it would not be many yean before they were in a «emi-civilise< state. "It'is exceedingly difficult coun try to penetrate and work, and whil occasionally you hear of men bein; killed by natives, it has happened wher they have penetrated the uncontrolle. country. ■ Men will always take risk for the lure of sold and their clashe with the nomadic kanakas is one o the phaeee of the development, but r the controlled areas they are .as saf as they are in your Queen Street. Climate Pleasant. Referring to the transport feats b air, Mr. Taylour said that the heavies weight transported was 3J tons. A food supplies had to be taken by 'plan© At the mining camps refrigerators ha been provided where frozen meat, frui and vegetables could be stored. Th labour was principally provided by th natives, a mixture of Melanesian an Papuan. The coastal climate wa enervating and typically tropical, wit the usual fevers prevalent, but troi 3000 ft up it was pleasantly warm an reasonably healthy.' "At the present time the mandate territory is producing more gold tha the whole of the Commonwealth wit the exception of West Australia," adde Mr. Taylour in emphasising the grec wealth of the New Guinea fields. .