Papuan Gold.

Dredging Plan for Gira Field.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Aug. 2.

Dredging claims have been taken up lately in the Gira district (north-east of Papua, close to New Guinea border) by Messrs. A. L. Joubert and George Arnold, who are both prominent figures on the Morobe goldfield. Mr. Arnold holds that the Upper Gira is the richest field in Papua. The Gira Field was dis covered by Sir William McGregor in 1897 and confirmed later by Mr. Shana han, Government Agent. It is reported that boring plant to test the field is on its way out from New York.

Definite steps are now being taken to end the system under which good quality plantation copra in Papua is dumped in with native copra and simply classed as “South Seas” —although much of it is equal to the special quality known as “Rabaul.” Mr. E. C. Harris (Government Treasurer), while in London recently, interviewed Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. there and arranged for samples of seven or eight grades of copra, ranging from “South Seas” to “Ceylon,” to be sent out for exhibition in Port Moresby and Samarai. It is believed that co-operation be tween the Administration, planters and copra buyers will result in better grading and better prices being obtained by producers of high-grade Papuan copra.

A fire swept through the native village of Tetana, on an island in Port Moresby, on July 20, and destroyed 28 houses. The natives who lost a large quantity of foodstuffs are shelter ing in a near-by village and being helped by the Government.

The Legislative Council recently passed a re solution complimenting Sir Hubert Murray on his action in placing before the Australian delega tion to the Ottawa Conference, certain claims made by Papua in the matter of preference in the British market for Papuan products. It is hoped that Papua will receive definite benefits from the Ottawa Agreement.

Owing to official complications, Mr. W. Brew ster, of Kanosia, had to take his new vessel “Veiya” to Thursday Island to obtain a sea going certificate. On the return voyage the “Veiya” struck a floating tree and 12 feet of planking was ripped from her bottom. Only the double planking prevented disaster. As it was, Mr. Brewster reached Yule Island 24 hours later with the greatest difficulty. Repairs are being effected and the “Veiya” will take up her running between Kanosia and Port Moresby.

The Public Service Club, which has been closed for a year and which was a great boon to public servants, has been officially reopened.

The President is Dr. W. M. Strong.

Messrs. Stanley Paul and Co., of London, are publishing “Allen Corn,” a novel by Mr. G. M.

Turnbull, of Port Moresby. It is said to be an extremely interesting story with a Papuan set ting and was highly commended by the “Bul letin,” which published it in serial form. Mr.

Turnbull has had considerable success as an author. He is Government Architect here and has been nearly 20 years in the Territory.

Coastal shipping has been experiencing very rough weather for some time past—the result of an unusually severe and cold south-east season.

Recent shipments from Port Moresby include the following:—Per “Montoro,” sailed on July 5 for Australia, 1017 packs of rubber, 535 cases desiccated coconut, 333 bags of copra, 38 bags of coffee. Per “Macdhui,” which sailed on June 16 for Australia, 1133 packs of rubber, 484 cases of desiccated coconut, 29 bags of coffee, 24 packages of beche-de-mer.

The steamer “Erica,” en route from Durban to the Santa Cruz Islands, put in at Thursday Island recently for water and to pick up two passengers from the South who are going to Vanikoro in connection with the timber business.

A southern critic thinks that Thurs day Island is going back. Well, let it, says our correspondent. If T.I. goes backward, it becomes just “IT.”

A contrast in coconuts, from two of Mr. W.

R. Carpenter’s New Guinea plantations. The big one is the result of special care in culti vation —the small one is an averaged-sized nut.