Exaggerated Reports.

A well-known resident of eastern Papua—Mr. Henry Dexter, of Milne Bay—has written to the Aus tralian newspapers protesting vigorously against a report, freely circulated recently, that gold and platinum had been found in large quantities in eastern Papua. He points out that he has for several years resided near the centre of the districts referred to and he has heard nothing whatever about the discovery of rich metals in that area.

Mr. Dexter inferentially warns the Australian public against taking much notice of the sensational reports of probable company promoters.