Tauri Gold

Reef Located at Last

Expert To Examine

Field

From Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby, July 7.

REPORTS have been received of the definite discovery of a reef for mation in the Tauri field, by Mr.

H. Garbutt, a well-known miner, who has had considerable experience in Northern Queensland.

He reports the main reef to be from 2ft. 6in. to 3ft. in width. The lesser branches leading into the main reef above Hides Creek, near Cathcart Creek he traced also, and they were found to be of various widths, 8 to 18 inches.

Mountains 1,000 to 2,000 feet in height separate the creeks, and it was found to be impossible to keep track of the formation, owing to the jungle growth and the debris, though lower down the slopes, near the creek beds, it was dis cernable and was eventually traced.

In consequence of his report, many applications for leases have been lodged with the Warden in Port Mor esby, and renewed interest in the prospects of the field has been created in the Territory.

Mr. Garbutt also states that he was struck with the resemblance of this new reef to the formations in Charters Towers, North Queensland.

Mr. B. Dunstan, ex-Chief Govern ment Geologist of Queensland, is ex pected soon and will proceed to the Tauri field, accompanied by Mr. Gar butt, where they will be met by a Government officer and party. Mr.

Dunstan will make a complete survey of the district and later on will visit other parts of the Territory and advise the Papuan Government on the min eral resources of the Territory gener ally.

There is a more cheerful feeling in the town owing to the report from the field, and though there is no wild ontimism, a distinct feeling exists that the prospects of the field now hold out very good chances of success.

Mr. Dunstan’s report as a mining expert will clear the way and will either hasten the development of the field or condemn it utterly for future enterprise.

Mr. Dunstan’s reputation as a mining expert stands very high in Australia, and his visit here and reports should do a lot towards assisting the develop ment of Papua’s mineral resources.

Copra exported from the Mandated Territory of New Guinea during 1929-30 amounted to £63,832 tons, an increase of 3,397 tons over the figures for the previous year. The quality of copra produced greatly improved during the year, due to planters generally taking a greater personal interest in their plantations.