N.G. Goldfields Notes

From Our Own Correspondent,

Edie Ck., Feb. 1.

EDIE CREEK, like all gold mining centres, is continually in a state of flux. The day of the “small man” is fast closing. On the other hand, the N.G.G. is at last preparing a battery site, a 60 stamp head is to be installed this year.

Treatment will be by cyanide. The very latest type of cyanide plant has been already installed at Day Dawn (N.G.) Ltd., and is to have its trial run shortly. A modern power house on Wau Creek is projected by this company to supply power for the mill and cyanide plant.

Mr. Dermott-Smith, Day Dawn manager, has resigned, and Mr. Blakey, a new arrival from South, has replaced him. Mr. Dermott-Smith has set up in Wau as a mining engineer.

A large party were entertained recently by Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury at their residence at N.G.G. main camp. The catering and entertaining were of a standard previously unknown at Kaindi, and it was voted the best party yet.

As a civic centre Edie Creek, better known as Kaindi, is growing. Another hall is projected by that very live body, the R.S.S.I.L. of A., in collaboration with the Edie Club. The former body is holding a dance-social on February 2, and asking the w’hole populace to be their guests.

A second store is to be opened at main camp on February 1 by Messrs. Schrater and Laws, a barn dance being held on January 19 to celebrate the opening.

A son—the first white birth at Edie Creek— was born to Mr. and Mrs. E. Hadley, Junr., on January 16.

The year 1934 was the rainiest since 1926, ac cording to “old hands.” The records available show: 1930, 94.67in5.; 1931, 109.98in5.; 1932, 105.26in5.; 1933, 99.70in5.; 1934, 123.23in5.; annual average over period, 106.57in5. This year has opened fine and sunny, and although the residents appre ciate the sun the alluvial miners are already bemoaning the shortage of water —a flood or a famine. The continuous downpours of 1934 cer tainly helped to raise the gold output for the year, many miners working the smaller creeks almost to their sources. The ample water enabled much poor gravel to be ground-sluiced.