Gold In E. Papua
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
Letter to the Editor.
IN your January number, Mr. Garden quotes some figures that are of great interest to residents of the Milne Bay dis trict.
May I, however, point out that he is in error in saying that the article to which he refers (in your issue of Novem ber last) was written by myself. At no time have I adversely discussed the pos sibilities of reef propositions in Milne Bay. My object is to discount such state ments as “that a small party of local natives are banking 200 ounces of gold a week,” and other equally absurd reports.
I think if I quote extracts from a letter of mine that appeared in the “N.Q. Regis ter,” and two Sydney papers, it will be seen that Mr. Garden’s views and mine are not very far apart!
“Miners need stores, and, as a store keeper, I should be only too pleased to hear of a good find of alluvial gold, but the last thing we wish to see is a lot of men attracted here by such reports as the above. It could only end in disappoint ment, “Platinum and reef gold is another mat ter altogether. Milne Bay will, I think, be heard of a great deal in connection with the former. Platinum exists over a very large area, but not in a form that lends itself to the operations of the in dividual miner. Modern methods will— unless I’m much mistaken—show results that will be more than satisfactory to those who care to have a mild gamble.”
I am, etc.,
H. Dexter.
Milne Bay, Papua, 13/2/’34.