GOLD IN FIJI.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 592, 21 August 1909, Page 7

GOLD IN FIJI.

NEW ZEALAND CAPITAL INVESTED. "If I am not very much mistakon, the next gold rush will,, bo to Fiji," said Mr/ Goorgotti, of Wanganui and Wellington, who returned from a trip to the South Sea Islands on Wednesday. It lias been known that.there is gold in Fiji for a long time, but little has been dono up till quite recently in prospecting for minbral wealth in the group, but' as Fiji has become better known and more frequently visited. by interested peoplo from the outer world, the idea has struck root that there may be considerable deposits of minerals in siifficiont quantities to givo' returns that may he more than merely payable Prospecting lias been retarded in the past by tho non-exist-ence of mining regulations, but this has at length been got over, and tho fact that very comprehensive regulations were issued by the Fijian Government, which camo into operation on Juno 10, is proof of tho existence of reasonable hope that Fiji may become a field for gold-mining operations in the not far-distant future, All this, and more, was made clear to Sir. Georgetti on his recent visit to Suva, and so satisfied was he and those with him in tho chances ahead, that they decided to take up shares in an alluvial mining proposition, which has secured a considerable area M gold-bearing land. .-.■■■•■

In conversation with a Dominion reporter, ! MrT Georgetti stated that the field was not . far distant from Suva', and was at arm's length from civilisation, as there was a sugar-mill within a couple of miles. Tho gold was found, in a heavy dark grey sand, : from which it could be panned off without trouble. He himself panned off a couple of dishes of the sand, and "got gold in pinhead of a high-grade quality. The syndicate which intended to work this deposit had traced find tested this lead for ten miles, and had got an average of 26 dwts.to tho.cubic yard/ When it.was stated that the lead was 40ft..deep, and that, there was plenty of water in the vicinity,, the proposition looks like "a good thing." Gold-bearing oro had also been discovered in Fiji, which was said to contain silver and copper after the manner of that being mined at Broken Hill, and hero ngain was offered a promising field for speculation if all said of. it be true. ; According to ClauSo, 14 of the Mining Ordnance attached to the regulations, a prospecting license continues- in forco for two years from the date of its issue, and shall not be issued" in respect of an area exceeding 10,000 acres. ; Tho area of land to be leased for other than alluvial working is restricted to 320 acres, tho annual rent of such (when mined for precious: metals) to be.ss. per acre per annum, Is. per acre' when mined .for coal. Tho royalty'to bo paid. to the State for gold recovered Is Is. per ounce. . . . ... ■ • ...