New Guinea

Gold Search In North-West

Several Parties Out on Ramu and Sepik

From Our Own Correspondent.

Madang, May 15.

INTEREST and optimism were displayed by the local population when news was received of the several “finds” of gold on this part of the New Guinea coast and the hinterland.

Whether the main actors concerned in the different areas will be able to show the Warden that they can show sufficient proof to justify a declaration of “payable gold fields,” as required under the law, remains to be seen. Apart from a few, who came from Rabaul, where the rumblings became the loudest, no others have yet proceeded to the scene of the alleged finds. Taking

each in turn, they may be summarised as follows:

Mr. Shultz’S “Find”

Firstly, we had the find, reported to be four ounces a day, “somewhere” between the Bismarcks and the head waters of the Yuat River, which drains into the Sepik.

In April, Mr. Shultz, who had left the Purari area some nine months before with Messrs. Schmitz (father and son) found his way down the Yuat River and eventu ally reported himself at the Government Station at Angorum, on the Lower Sepik.

Here, Mr. Shultz found the indefatigable Alf. Belfield and “Dick” Glasson, who were then refitting to again proceed to the upper reaches of the Sepik, towards the Dutch border, in that region. After a consulta tion they decided to postpone that trip and accompany Mr. Shultz to where he stated his find to be.

Mr. Shultz, himself, came on to Madang for other stores and equipment. Later, he returned and joined the other two, after which, in a small launch, with canoes and carriers, they set off on what they stated to be a three weeks’ trek before they reached their objective.

Mr. Schmitz, Junr., left his father in the ranges and proceeded to Madang for medi

cal treatment, for a spear wound in the lung. He left, later, by the Macdhui, for further medical treatment and X-ray in Rabaul.

Wewak Area

Secondly, we have the Wewak area.

Several years ago four prospectors, two of whom were “Dick” Glasson and Alex.

Stock, prospected this area. They found colors only, and in their view the parts prospected fell far short of being payable.

Lately, however, Messrs. Tex Roberts and Yeomans (the latter representing the Bulolo Gold Mining Company) prospected for a week in the area; and the opinion they arrived at was that the area was

worth further investigation, as they had obtained certain prospects which they con sidered gratifying. “Dick” Glasson, al though knowing of the new trend of af fairs in this area, preferred to try the new lands above the Yuat.

In Aitape District

We now go further north-west, again, to the trip of Messrs. Pennefather and Corrigan.

With plenty of stores and equipment, these two joined up another party com posed of two Aitape residents, Messrs.

Hook and Goff. The two latter have been for a number of years recruiting in the areas of Wanimo and Wapi and, like many other recruiters, always carry the “dish.”

They, too, have always been fired by the tales of gold, as told by the old German birdshooter and prospector, Phiebig.

The stories of how Phiebig met his death vary. One is, that he committed suicide by cutting his throat. Another is that, having found gold he, told his native boys that now he had found what all white men

Photograph of light dredge being erected on the Tiveri goldfield, in Papua, “in a hole” in the jungle near the Lakekamu River. This dredge has been running for some time, and is reported to have recovered good gold and osmiridium. [Photo, by J. W. Minks.

seek, the country would soon be full of white men. The natives, not wishing this, killed him before he could divulge his find.

However, it still remains to be shown that gold exists in these parts. The nature of the country shows oil. There are “oil deoms” —and it is yet to be proved to what extent, if any, gold and oil go together.

The two recruiters, in their wanderings and independent prospecting journeys into the ranges, have shown results worth in vestigating, and it is with that intention that the others have joined up. A report from them is awaited with interest.

Mr. Pennefather was District Officer at Aitape many years ago, before he resigned to settle down as a planter, and he knows its country and people well. He also knew the late Phiebig, and had many of the latter’s exploits and findings directly from that person himself.

Inquirer From Europe

Then there arrived, by last Macdhui, another geologist from Europe, in the per son of Mr. Gallet. He, later, proceeded by schooner to the same area, and intends crossing into Dutch Territory. He is new to this country and has been sent out by a European Company, for a short period, to prospect certain areas. He is alone on his mission, having only natives to assist and accompany him.

Kunai Valley Co.

A prospecting company known as the Kunai Valley Exploration Company, whose representatives comprise Messrs. Cruick shanks, Forrester and Cook, after fitting out, and with some thirty carriers, have left for the Ramu and Bismarcks.

Yuat Alluvial Co.

The Yuat Alluvial Co., under the man agership of Mr. Turnbull, have almost completed their work on the Yuat River.

They certainly have not used the com pany’s money without result, as far as work goes. An extensive and thorough test was made in the areas under con sideration and quite a lot of ground covered, the results of which are not yet known.

Much money and labour have been and are being expended this year on seeking gold in many new areas, and we sincerely hope that good results will attend the ef forts of the dauntless few who follow up the quest.