Wewak Goldfield

Glimpses of the Gold-Seekers

From a Special Correspondent.

WEWAK. August 7.

IN the early part of the year people again heard a rumble in the earthquake of gold—this time, a “find” near Wewak.

Those who were conversant with the area turned it over rapidly in their minds, and tried to place some spot where, in their imagination, the goal of all men could be.

Others not knowing the area asked all sorts of questions regarding the country and its nature.

In the Territory are to be found miners and would-be miners, and, strange as it may seem, it has fallen to the lot of the latter to hit upon the richest claims. Back four years ago Mr. Tex Roberts, of motor car fame, left the party of Messrs. Glas son, Stork, and Virgo to prospect further an area in the vicinity of the Siling River.

In this section of the country he found traces of shedding gold. Thinking the place not payable, he passed on, at least for the time being. Early this year he

induced Mr. Yeomans, of the Bulolo Gold Dredging, to visit this area—the result being the Wewak “find.”

Next we find the “Drina” from Rabaul bringing a load of passengers, stores, and mining equipment. Its passengers con sisted of Dr. Spence, a geologist of no mean repute, Les Clarke, of the Bay Loo Company, Ben Costello, of dental fame, Eric Granter, the Rabaul carrier, Dick Moore, of Rabaul Airways, and Duke of Yorks, Jack Thurston, of the “Drina,” and George McKechnie, its engineer, George Broadbent, of Burns, Philp and Co., using up his holidays with gold seeking as a hobby and last, but not least, Mc- Hutchinson, of sulphur fame. Local planters consisting of Messrs. Ifould, Cobb, and Davies, also tried out the field. The former found the plantation a better pro position- “Cobby,” as he is locally known, enlisted the aid of his wife, who, during his absence seeking labour, also ran the box.

Then we find Vic. Pennefather, ex D.O. and planter of Rabaul, trying his hand.

Following him with plenty of mining gear came the first unofficial member of the Legislative Council —Jack Mullaly. He was accompanied by another well-known Rabaul planter—Bertie Heron. Later, fresh from his travels up the Yuat River, came one of the “Big Six,” Dick Glasson, with George Eichhorn, another old pros pector from Papua, who for many years was seeking the elusive metal on the Sepik.

The decision of the Warden, D.O.

Townsend, after taking out prospects was that the area, in his opinion, did not show sufficient quantities to declare it a payable goldfield, and so until that time arrives the area is still more or less a field of prospectors. The prospectors’ daily earn ings are from a few dwts. up to in some cases half an ounce, but the prospects ot finding more gold seem very rosy. With that goal in view they labour on, each wishing the other that he may strike it.