NEW GUINEA MINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 4

NEW GUINEA MINING.

BOOM UNCHECKED BY WAR. NEW ZEALAND MINERS SOUGHT. (From Our Own CorresiMindeiit.) WA 1 HI, Wednesday. '1 hat the mining industry is flourishing in the territory of New Cuinca and that the war has made no material difference in the general mode of living is the opinion expressed by Mr. \\ . ,J, Lee, a well-known miner ot Waihi, who lias just returned to New Zealand. Mr. Lee is employed by the New Guinea Goldfiehls, Limited, at the Golden Kidges mine, which i.s between three to four miles from Wau. where the principal aerodrome is situated. This i.s Mr. Leo's third trip and lie intends to return to New Guinea in about six weeks' time. It ls prolwble lie may take back with him some of the local miners, a.s skilled men are not plentiful. Descril ling the method of mining and the extent of the company's operations, lie said that the latter comprised 17 square miles and included the Eddie Creek property. !XXX)ft above sea level, where the battery dealt with 100 toils of ore a day. and was managed by Mr. E. .lolinsoti, late of Wai'hi and Waikino. The Golden Ridges battery, with a similar capacity, w.its also managed by an old Waikino boy, Mr. Harold _ Rollinson. Another Waihi miner. Mr. Tom Berry, held a position as sliitt boss in the Edie Creek mine. The Golden Ridu'es mine consisted of steep hilly leeting country, somewhat similar to that at Karangahake, the lodes varying in width from four feet up to 80 feet. The ground was heavy, necessitating the use of much timbering. The walls of the-reefs were not solid like those of the Waihi: district, but consisted of blue pug. Mr. Lee said that whilst in the employ ot the company lie had discovered a new lode at Anderson's Creek after driving an adit level for 800 feet. The lode was 10 feet wide and returned two-ounce dirt. On the surface, about 200 feet higher up, tlie reef was 36 feet wide, and in places carried dirt as high as 37 ounces to the ton. The Government, he added, retained 75 per cent of the value of the gold over £9 per ounce, and which had risen in value as high as £9 15/ per ounce. The prospector, however, paid no tax on his first 25 ounces per month. The Golden Ridges Company employed about 60 white men and 350 native boys.

Questioned as to matters affecting transport. accommodation, cos>t of living, etc.. Mr. Loe said that otic could reach Sydney by air service 'in two days. Employees of the company had three-roomed houses with- sleeping porches and showerbaths, supplied free with electric light. For two poisons lie estimated tlie cost of living at Cltl per month, which included everything -with a lintif-ehoy thrown in for LT'iod measure! Hotel accommodation was about .t'K per month. The company paid all the store accounts and banked the balance from the wa-ges to tlie credit of the employee. Thing* generally, said Mr. Lee, were booming in tlie New Guinea territory, and ■new mining properties were being taken up. These remarks, he added. also included the dredging industry at Bulolo. UNA HILL REPORTS. Una Hill Consolidated Gold Mines, Ltd., have received the following report from Thames:—At 1 lifit't in the lower incline a reef was cut which it is expected will prove to toe the No. 2. Out of the first cut fired in tlio reef some 201b of picke<l stone has heon recovered. The »*one is typical anil extremely rich. The prospects of further development are considered good.