Ramu Gold.

Search Intensifies and Extends.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Madang, Nov. 22.

WITH further discoveries of gold on the Ramu River, Madang has been the busy centre of late of parties preparing for the trip into the scene of operations and, at the same time, to fur ther explore fresh country.

Representatives of Guinea Airways have been sent to find suitable landing grounds at Madang, and at other Lower Ramu points, if necessary. On the Up per Ramu fields, some three hours from the present workings, a landing ground has been made and an aerial service from Lae already established.

One expedition going into the hinter land is equipped with a complete send ing and receiving wireless set with a qualified operator.

The methods adopted by the Govern ment regarding permits, more especially firearms, are being criticised. Parties do not leave Rabaul for Madang until they are told by the Customs and other authorities that all is in order. On ar rival in Madang they often find they are held up for about a month on the same subject, whilst the air burns up cash in radios.

It is about time that all this useless waste of time and money was avoided and these parties fully advised by the authorities in Rabaul as to all necessary permits, which should be either granted there or immediately on application at the local centres.

A lot is to be said, however, against some parties who enter with an air of great secrecy and are unaware that cer tain formalities have to be complied with and do not bother to find out until they land at their destination.

Mr. Nason-Jones has left Madang area, after testing some parts locally, and is now testing alluvial and dredging areas on the Upper Ramu. The New Guinea Alluvial Goldmining Co., met with mis adventure, and is at the present time disbanded. It is rumoured that several other companies are forming to exploit

and develop certain area, as it is known for certainty that some good stuff, with high quality gold, has been discovered.