PLACER MINERS IN NEW GUINEA CABLE PROTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18000, 10 November 1926, Page 1

PLACER MINERS IN NEW GUINEA CABLE PROTEST.

WARDEN UPHOLD CLAIM OF SLUICERS AGAINST THEM: DISCONTENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 10, 10.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 10. Serious discontent exists among the miners at Edie Creek Goldfield, New Guinea. The Morobe Miners’ Association has sent a cable to Mr Bruce informing him that four of the big leases, containing nearly all alluvial ground on the field have been applied for by the discoverers on the ground that the field is suitable only for sluicing and dredging and their applications were approved by the warden. Objections by the other miners were disallowed. although they proved the field to be suitable for alluvial working by box and dish. Twenty-one other leases of the same area have been applied for, with the result that seven miles of the richest alluvial land is held exempt from claims. At the present time 150 miners and 2000 natives are on the field and the numbers are daily increasing. Repeated requests to - the Administrator for an inquiry with reference to the appointment of the warden, the nature of the field and medical conditions have not been answered. The association was formed over the whole field out of claims ballotted for. All the men are now working. There has been no disorder or violence.