2904 OZS. IN WEEK

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1937, Page 10

2904 OZS. IN WEEK

NEW GUINEA DREDGE Life in the Country % Writing to Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., from Bulolo, New Guinea, a friend gives some interesting information anent the dredging fields there. He also gives a graphic account of the earthquake at Rabaul and of the shifting of the seat of government from there to Madang. There is a great demand for carpenters, Chinese workers receiving £l6 per month and whites 30s per day. Transport from the goldfields is by air; freight is 4d per lb., and the fare for a 25 minute flight is £3. The fare from Bulolo to Rabaul, a flight of an hour and 25 minutes is £l2 10s. The Bulolo Company has four dredges working, and two more are under construction. The company’s working profit per month averages £70,000. No. 1 dredge has had some valuable wash-ups. In one particular week the return was 29040 z. from 37,000 yards for 160 hours’ working. (Apparently there are no Sundays in Bulolo). From the letter, it seems there is a boom in dredging in other countries, for enquiries are made for dredgemasters for Malay, Africa, Korea, Manila and Japan. Enquiries are also made for men in the United States. . , _ T As the wet season in on in New Guinea, fever is prevalent, and nearly every boat takes its complement of men away from the country. The natives are not troublesome to the residents of Bulolo, but they are so shy when excursions are made into their territory. Still they are approachable, though they come to the whites armed. They are anxious to barter native weapons and treasures for what the Europeans may offer. Even the smoked head of a chief may be obtained for a tomahawk! Due to heavy freight charges the cost of living is high. At the time o writing shipping had become somewhat disorganised, firstly the earthquake and secondly through onof the regular trading vessels catching fire, and since the residents depend on their food supply from boat to boat there was danger of a shortage of foodstuffs and medicinal supplies.