Crushing Started

On New Guinea Goldfields Second Stage of Development Is Opened

THE first ore-crushing plant in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea commenced operations last month. It is owned by Day Dawn (New Guinea) Ltd. Other companies will follow suit shortly.

The second stage in the development of the rich New Guinea Goldfields has definitely opened.

The opening ceremony was perform ed by Mrs. V. L. Newberry, wife of the manager. At the commencement,

two eight-hour shifts are being work ed, but, next month, three shifts a day will be introduced, and then, it is ex pected, the mill will be treating 50 tons of ore per day. The installation is proving very satisfactory.

The transportation of the machinery from the coast to the field, which occu pied four months, represented no mean achievement. Planes owned by Guinea Airways Ltd. and Pacific Aerial Transport Co. brought the engine, boiler and mill in sections up to Wau aerodrome, and from there natives and mules transported it to the site. Day Dawn is 4,000 feet above Wau, and the track, from all accounts, is rough in the extreme. The distance is about 12 miles. The heaviest weight carried by the “boys” was 1,000 pounds.

Mr V L. Newberry, the manager of Day Dawn, was responsible for the selection and erection of the plant, and much credit is due to him for the efficient manner in which, the installa tion has been carried out.

A photo of the Day Dawn (New Guinea) Ltd. plant, taken shortly before crushing commenced. The mill itself can be seen on the left. The entrance to the main drive is about 50ft. away. All this machinery was transported from the coast by aeroplanes.