Papua’S Gold.

The Search Goes On.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Sep. 3.

MR. WARD WILLIAMS, the American min ing expert, who returned to the Territory a few months ago, is at present on the Gira and Yodda, investigating the possibilities of the goldfields for low grade metals.

The Gira and Yodda are in the Northern Division of Papua. The Yodda is a tributary of the Mambare River. These fields were first exploited in 1897 and 1900 and yielded between them 144,427 ounces of gold.

The New Misima gold mines reports show that gold was produced valued approximately at £1786 for June and £1452 for July; also silver, 371 ounces, valued at £27. Two divi dends, Nos. 8 and 9, of 1/- each, were declared and paid. Important improvements were carried out during June and July. Electric light was installed throughout the battery and cyanide works, the smelting and assay rooms and the stores and offices. The running costs are nom inal, the dynamo being driven off the shaft of the main engine. The No. 5 concrete slime vat was completed and is in use, with satis factory results.

The Government patrol, under Mr. R. G.

Speedie, to the head waters of the Tauri River, has returned. Mr. Speedie was accom panied by Mr. Mahoney, a leader of the Mahoney Gold Syndicate, who made the journey to ex amine the country for minerals. The party at tempted the head waters of the Vailala River to the west, but came down the Ivori, a tribu tary. Twenty years ago both these rivers were examined for minerals. In 1911 Bob Elliott, the Pryke Bros., and Charles Priddle travelled up the Yailala to prospect the upper reaches and the flats, but were not successful. Mr.

Mahoney, in a report, considers the vast coun try covered by the Tauri well worth exam ing for minerals.

Native Tubu Feast.

Owing to the remarkable harvest of yams, taro, and other native products from the new native gardens by the Laloki River, the natives of Hanuabada, near Port Moresby, held a large “tubu” feast on August 28.

The Dubu (Ceremonial Platform) had on this occasion additional carved horizontal bearers, which the host of the feast, a Hohodae village native, placed on the “dubu” of his Hanua bada friend, A. Huia.

The feast was given by the Motu people to the Koiari and Koitapuans, once their bitter enemies, but who have been for several years now on friendly terms with them. The Laloki gardens are on the borders of the Koiari county; perhaps in their wisdom the Motu people see the advisability of sharing their first fruits with their former enemies.

The scene was quite remarkable for its bar baric splendour. The spectacular entrance of over a hundred dancing Koiari, gaily dressed in plumes and ornaments, and prancing wildly to the beat of the drums, was a singularly im pressive sight. They advanced in form to their hosts by the platform, who later on, as the dance ceased, distributed native foods to their guests, with great ceremony.

Europeans present at the opening of the feast included the Acting Lieut. Governor (Hon. Dr.

W. M. Strong), Mr. Justice Gore and Mrs.

Gore, members of the Executive Council, the Resident Magistrate, and Mr. F. E. Williams (Anthropologist to the Papuan Government).

Death Of Two Mission Sisters.

News has been received from the Sacred Heart Mission at Yule Island, of the death of two of their sisters—Sister Kevin and Sister Mary.

Sister Kevin (a sister of Dr. Gleeson, the Bishop of Maitland, New South Wales) was a very much loved worker, and a pioneer of the Mis sion in 1893. She died in July after a very long illness.

Sister Mary, from France, had arrived only four years ago. She became suddenly ill and died on August 26.

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart Mission are well known and respected throughout the Ter ritory. Their chief centres are at Yule Island and in the mountains in the interior on the mainland. In Port Moresby and the districts nearby, not only do they train the young Papuan and half-castes, but they superintend a day-school for the small white children of the community.

The Sacred Heart Mission started operations in the territory of Papua, after the proclama tion of the Protectorate in 1884, and established themselves ultimately at Yule Island about 1885-6, under Father Verjees, with Father Navarre as Superior, at Thursday Island.

Trade Figures.

The following shipments to Australia were made in August:—

All the coffee is from Mr. G.A. London’s Eilogo plantation, 30 miles inland from Port Moresby.

Customs duty was collected during July as follows:—Port Moresby. £1,227: Samarai, £843; Dam, £7; total. £2,078. About one-tbird of the amount was “primage.”

By By Macdhui. Montoro.

Des. coconut. packages 603 .. 538 Rubber, packings ... 1,232 . . 1,335 Coffee, bags 67 27 Pearl shell 9 Mauritius beans, bags. . — .. 81