No. 2 Bulolo Dredge Completed

On New Guinea Goldfield.

The New Bulolo Dredge was Christened on October 15, and Commenced Work a Few Days Later.

From a Special Correspondent.

WAU, Oct. 20.

WHAT do the people who sojourn in the out-of-the-way places of the Pacific Islands miss the most?

Who can tell? But amongst things missed must be counted those Saturday evening dances and picture shows of city days.

Partly for this reason, the days of the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and party have been so pleasant for all hands at the Bulolo Gold Dredging Company’s camp on the Bulolo River.

On Saturday, October 8, Mr. L. V.

Waterhouse gave a movie show in the Mess Hall. It was a case of “Standing Room Only” well before the show started. The programme included travel pictures and films showing the development of the property, taken by Mr. Waterhouse on previous visits. It was very interesting to recognise vari ous identities of the goldfields on the screen, and the natives hailed with delight the appearance of their various ‘one talks.” The programme concluded with a Cine-Kodak comedy cartoon. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr.

McDonald (president of the local recrea tion club), and carried with loud ap plause.

Bulolo is capable of the introduction and circulation of some magnificent rumours, some of them with foundation, but many without so much as a grain of fact. Happily, there was foundation to the rumour that we were to have a party, and when the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse to all employees of the company to join them at dinner and dancing the following Saturday night appeared on the notice board, there was rejoicing in the camp.

Ceremony On October 15.

On Saturday, October 15, at the con clusion of the day’s work, Bulolo No. 2 dredge was christened, in the presence of about 200 people—visitors and em ployees of the company.

The day had been hot, but the west ering sun made shade of the construc tion camp buildings, and a light breeze gently wafted the Union Jack, Stars and Stripes, and the flags of Australia and Canada above the ceremonial plat

form—all bedecked with red, white, and blue. This was a bright spot of colour against the black steelwork of the dredge—floating, mirrored in the waters of the pond, looming dark and formid able against the background of forest, kunai hills, and mountain range.

Assembled on the platform were; Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Waterhouse, Mr. and Mrs. H. Taylour, Mr. and Mrs. W. P.

Lapthorne, Mrs. Doris Booth, Miss Joan

Waterhouse, Mr. T, D. Harris (General Manager of G.G.D., Ltd.), Mr. H. L.

Downing (A.D.O., Wau), and Mr. O. B.

Hart (Construction Engineer).

In announcing Mr. Harold Taylour, the Mining Warden, Mr. Waterhouse referred to his unflagging energy in furthering the development of the gold fields, and the general feeling of plea sure amongst all residents of the gold fields at the recent confirmation of his official appointment.

“Dug Its Way Out Of Sight.”

“I feel it is a very great privilege to come up here this afternoon and witness the christening of the Bulolo Company’s second dredge,” said Mr. Taylour. “The first dredge, which was started here seven months ago, has now dug its way out of sight, and, by this time, is some thing like a mile away from the scene of its construction; and, I suppose, be fore many months have passed, the second dredge will have a similar record behind it. Bulolo Gold Dredging has written a new page in the history of mining engineering.

“In the early days of my two and a half years on this field, one wondered at the magnitude of this enterprise; and

Mr. T. D. Harris (general manager of Bulolo G.D., Ltd.) on the left, and Mr. V. Water house (technical director) on the right—inspect ing the Bulolo property.

it certainly does impress me very much to see the finished work, and it must be a source of great pride to all con cerned in the enterprise to look upon the result of their joint endeavour.

“We see here the completed work; the result of team work from the very be ginning; team work on the part of the directors, the management, the con struction staff and crew, and the worthy kanaka. It must be with a feeling of keen interest and pride that you see to-day these buckets turned over. I congratulate you all on a very fine achievement and trust the company will gain every reward it is justly entitled to.”

Law-Abiding Community.

“In speaking for my department,” said Mr. Downing, “I wish to congratulate you all on this fine achievement. I have seen this area, but two years ago, a region of dense jungle. When one looks at the work as it stands to-day, one cannot help but wonder at the com plete transformation which has been brought about in such a comparatively short space of time.

“Speaking from my official viewpoint, I feel very proud of the fact that we have so many law-abiding citizens here.

In the last 18 months we have been trying to get a warrant officer for Bulolo, and perhaps some other officials, but the appointments have not been made yet, partly owing to lack of funds and more pressing needs elsewhere. I think you should all feel flattered that the Administration has adopted this attitude.

“You have really big lines of natives to handle, and they have been handled so well that not a word of complaint has been received by the District Office.

Beyond the fact of a few desertions by natives of the more primitive type, there has been no trouble whatsoever and this compares favourably with the his tory of the company right through.”

Seven Months’ Record.

March 21 last,” said Mr. L. V.

Waterhouse, “there was a unique occur rence in the world’s history on this very spot—witnessed by some 300 people— when No. 1 dredge of Bulolo Gold

Dredging, Limited (entirely transported

by air), was christened by Mrs C. A.

Banks and set in motion by his Honour the Administrator, General Wisdom.

“To-day, seven months later, the im mense rock pile of over one million tons, is a striking testimony to the soundness of the designing engineers and the thoroughness of those who were responsible for the construction of the dredge.

"To-day's function is to be quite in formal; but, taking advantage of my wife’s visit here, Mr. Harris has asked her to christen No. 2 dredge, although it will be some ten days before the dredge is actually digging. I feel sure that with the good wishes of all present No. 2 dredge will start out on a career equal, if not better than, that of No. 1.

Remarkable Transport

Record.

“The transportation of mining ma chinery by aeroplanes is being watched with considerable interest by engineers the world over, and there is little doubt that Bulolo Gold Dredging, Lim ited, ably assisted by Guinea Airways, Limited, has blazed a trail which others will follow.

"It may be of interest to quote the actual transportation figures made up

to-day, carried by ‘Peter’ and Paul,’ the two G31 Junkers owned by B.G.D., Ltd. Since March 31 of last year, the two ’planes have made 1,370 flights, carrying 7,313,686 lbs. (or 3,657 short tons), and approximately 150,000 air miles have been flown.

“On behalf of the directors of the company, I have much pleasure in ex pressing sincere appreciation to Mr.

Harris, his staff, and all employees, for their splendid efforts. I would also like to extend thanks to the directors and staff of Guinea Airways, Limited, and to Burns, Philp & Co., Ltd., for their willing co-operation and assistance— in fact, to all those, too numerous to mention, who have assisted this enter prise.”

“No. 2” Is Christened.

Mr. Waterhouse then introduced Mrs.

Waterhouse to the gathering.

Saying, “Wishing you a long life and successful career, I christen you Bulolo Number Two,” Mrs. Waterhouse duly performed the ceremony, and the bucket line was sprinkled with champagne.

The Dinner And Dance.

One by one, throughout the week, the manifestations of a party in the making appeared. An electric gramo phone arrived, and early trials showed the set to be just the thing, with plenty of volume and tone. By midday on Saturday, the Mess Hall looked very gay with festoons of coloured lamps, balloons, streamers and paper lanterns, also native flora —very nicely arranged by Mrs. Waterhouse and lady friends.

The night seemed made to order moonlit and cool. The guests, in num ber about 200, assembled shortly after 7 p.m.

It was hard to recognise, in the bright scene, the Mess Hall, usually so drab and colourless. Equal in splen dour with the decorations, were the

frocks of the ladies and it was delight ful to see so many charming faces about the festive board.

Mr. Waterhouse, after a short speech of welcome, proposed the toast of “The King” and 200 voices (with a fair so prano element) were uplifted in the “National Anthem.”

A little later, Mr. Harold Taylour proposed a toast to “Our Host and Hostess” and ‘‘For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was followed by such a din of applause as is rarely heard on land or sea.

After a most enjoyable repast, the tables were removed and the dance began.

There were present: Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Waterhouse, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Lapthorne, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tay lour, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Mustar, Mr. and Mrs.

H. G. McGilvery, Mr. and Mrs. J. Jukes, Mr. and Mrs. W. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. S. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. W. Sedgers, Dr. and Mrs. C.

Gunther, Mr. and Mrs. F. Drayton, Mr. and Mrs. N. Wilde, Mr. and Mrs. D. Honeysett, Mrs.

Doris Booth, Mrs. Bob Bunting, Miss Bunting, Miss D. Brookes, Miss Betty Bunting, Miss Joan Waterhouse, Pilots B. Heath, O. Denny and T. O’Dea; Messrs. Morrison (of Burns, Philp and C.L., Sydney), F. D. T. Meares (of Noyes Bros., Sydney, Ltd.), N. F. Lillycrop (of Gibson, Battle & Co., Ltd., Sydney), O. M.

Anderson (of Ruston, Hornsby, Ltd., Melbourne), H. L. Downing (A.D.O., Wau), T. D. Harris (G.M. of B.G.D., Ltd.), O. B. Hart (Construc tion Engineer of B.G.D., Ltd.), also staff and employees of the company.

Everyone was sorry when general weariness broke up the delightful party in the wee small hours, but all voted it in every respect “Number One.”

Mrs. Waterhouse is to be compli mented on her organising ability. With so many difficulties and unusual feat ures to contend with, her party was a masterpiece. She has won the high esteem of the Bulolo community and everyone is hoping for another visit in the near future.