NEW GUINEA GOLD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 13 November 1926, Page 7

NEW GUINEA GOLD.

EIDII3 GREEK FI EDI). REST! Vl3 CLAIM-SEEKERS. Every steamer that returns to Sydney from New Guinea, brings passengers with accounts of the Bdie Creek goldfield in the New Guinea, mandated territory. Most of these passengers are returning prospectors, some returning with tidy competencies, and others disgusted by the difficulties of reaching’the field from the nearest port, Salamoa-., But every .steamer brings material evidence of the -richness of the field in large consignments, of gold. It is estimated that over £60,000 worth has been brought to Sydney since the field was opened, 'the Melusia, which arrived a few days ago, brought 4000 ounces' valued at £IO,OOO. while one lucky prospector was -reported to have walked ashore with a. knapsack full of the precious yellow .metal. The difficulties of reaching the field from Salamoa. have been constantly emphasised, both by men with experience of the country, and by the Federal Government authorities.. But. adventurers and gold-seekers have flocked to Salamoa, and there they have been held, up, partly by.the Administration’s delay in issuing mining rights for the field, and partly by the lack of native carriers necessary to transport •stores and supplies to the field. Eklie Greek is only about 60 miles from. Salamoa, but owing to the precipitous nature of the country, many more/miles than this are spent in walking up and down rugged mountains. The journey occupies seven or eight days’ arduous travel in country where fevers abound.

Apart from these difficulties, the discoverers of the field and early prospectors have been allotted large areas of the payable land as claims, and the areas lavailable now for pegging are sr.richly limited. Indeed, according to the latest arrivals from New Guinea, only (he lir-rt. six leases have been ratified b.v the Administration, and it was expected to he reduced. In the meantime no leases are being granted. Ma.nv are waiting at Salamoa. in the hone that the Government will introduce legislation providing for this reduction of lensc a.rea.s and for easing of the regulations generally. Meanwhile impatient men are threatening to “jump” the claims without rights, if their claims are not speedily settled, though i! is asserted that this does not refer i.i claims .already allotted. Salamoa. now presents quite a busy appearance. On her voyage north the Melusia landed 70 Europeans, 100 na-

tive porters, and four mules, a.s well as materials for buildings and stores. Burns, Philip, and Go. have opened ia store, Government offices are being built, and a- hotel is to' be erected. An airman is stated to be surveying landing places. Wardens and native police are in the field. Two arrivals by the Melusia stated that they had found a. new goldfield on the AViatut RJiver, but that this would be useless for exploitation by individuals, as development- needed a conjpaiiiy with capital to provide the means of raising water for sluicing and to' work the field. The gold on this field, which is two and a. half days’ journey past Edie Greek, is not so plentiful as at the latter place, but is said to. be of much finer quality, valued at £3 16s an 055, compared with £2 10s for that from 13die Greek. The discoverers of the field also claim that they have found « better track to- their field than the present one to ERie Creek. Meanwhile all returning prospectors, endorse the official warning lagainst Australians leaving for New Guinea flushed with hopes of easy money.