Fiji Gold Boom

Interest and Speculation Still at Fever Heat

GOLD excitement in Fiji still runs at fever heat.

The Colony has been overrun during the past couple of months by men of all kinds, who have arrived from all parts of the world to get in early on what is confidently believed to be a rapidly developing gold industry.

The cold fact of the matter, however, is that up to date only one mine has been proved—Mr. Theodore’s Emperor Mine at Tavua. Mr. Theodore is there, personally directing operations. Good gold has been obtained there, and it is expected that values will increase richly as the shafts go down.

All round the Emperor Mine, and all along the river valleys, right across the island of Viti Levu, down to the vicinity of Suva itself, prospectors are at work.

A huge area of country has been pegged, and operations to prove values are proceeding. Crushing is planned on the leases in the Tavua district, while they are talking of dredging in the valleys of the tributaries of the Rewa.

Many notable men have been in Fiji lately; and many stirring plans have been made for the development of Fiji—always provided that gold values are proved. But it is to be remembered, still, that even on the leases close to the Emperor Mine, in the Tavua district, values are not yet proved.

There is talk of a hydro-electric scheme to supply light and power to the whole of Viti Levu.

At least three different interests, which plan seaplane and aeroplane services to

operate in connection with the developing goldfields, have been represented in Fiji recently.

Mr. Theodore is still the “mystery man” of Fiji—he works hard, but gives very little indication of his plans. Persistent rumour says that an amalgamation of the Emperor Mine with the Loloma and Koroere leases adjoining is likely. It seems a feasible and logical development. But reports from Melbourne are to the effect that Mr. P. F. Cody (who with Mr.

Theodore, Mr. John Wren and Mr. Frank Packer comprise the group which owns the Emperor Mine) is strongly opposed to such an amalgamation. He says that they have spent £80,000 on the mine, and that there is no reason why they should share with any other group the rich profits that are confidently anticipated.

Mr. Cody said that enough ore was in sight to keep the mill occupied for many years. The last crushing had returned about 450 ozs. of bullion (850 parts fine) from 300 tons of ore. Additions were being made to the settling tank and filtration sections, and when completed the mill could treat 500 tons weekly.

Meanwhile the Government, while giving all reasonable encouragement to prospectors, and facilities to the extraordinary number of new companies which have sprung up, is proceeding with caution.

Licenses are being renewed by a special board, but only after careful enquiry. Mr.

J. C. Grieve, formerly a Victorian mining inspector, has been appointed Mining Adviser to the Fiji Government. Mr. H.

H. Gibson, formerly of the New Zealand Mines Department, has been appointed secretary of the Mining Board.

Sugar production had already made Fiji one of the richest British Colonies. Fiji felt the 1931-1934 depression less than any Territory in the Pacific. It now appears as if, in that fortunate clime, wealth is to be piled on wealth—for it is beyond question that, if the confident predictions of