Pacific Mining

Reports

From Fiji

Aloha Alluvials N.L.

At a meeting of Melbourne shareholders of Aloha Alluvials N.L., Fiji, on June 7, a report was sub mitted by Mr. R. M. Boyd, who was commissioned to examine certain alluvial areas. Mr. Boyd stated the company’s options and reservations in the Waimanu River region collectively comprised an unbroken tract of territory extending continuously for a distance of 25 miles, starting from the junction of the Waimanu and Rewa rivers, and proceeding along the bed of the Waimanu River to the junction of that river with the Waiturua River.

Owing to the inadequacy of his equipment his sampling was confined to the upper washes. All the samples he took from both areas were from the river banks and adjacent flats. His sampling of the Waimanu River areas produced exceedingly gratifying results, and proved beyond doubt the existence of payable gold in the upper wash over a wide extent of country. In the lower reaches of the Waimanu he obtained fine colours of gold in the shingles wherever sampled. In the case of Waidamu River he only sampled in one place, and obtained fine colours of gold from a nice-looking wash. This was an important factor, because it signified easy recovery by mechanical methods.

All the strata of wash sampled in the upper reaches of the Waimanu River were of a gravelly charac-

ter, and largely consisted of granites, andesites, quartz and basalts. In the lower reaches of both rivers the wash was clean and small. The upper flats of the Waimanu River are described by Mr.

Boyd as adaptable to treatment by hydraulic sluicing, and the lower areas are suitable for bucket dredging. The whole of the Waidamu River areas are suitable for bucket dredging. While emphasising the fact that all the prospecting and sampling carried out was on the surface, in the various water channels, and on the terrace formations, Mr. Boyd is strongly of opinion that a scientific campaign of boring will disclose improved values at depth over extensive areas. In answer to a question asked by a shareholder, Mr.

Boyd said that the company had been given assurances by the Fijian Mining Board in regard to leases.

Viti Levu Gold N.L.

Advice was received early in June by the management of Viti Levu Gold N.L., Fiji, from the leader of the party at Suva, that the prospecting license had been approved for two years from June 6.

Loloma Gold Mines N.L.

The following reports, in respect of the progress of operations at Tavua, have been issued by the management of Loloma Gold Mines N.L. : May 23: No. 1 shaft, at 25ft., assayed 2 oz. a ton over width 6ft. No. 2 shaft, at 30ft.: First 3ft., from hanging wall, 3 oz. 8 dwt. a ton. Next 5ft., 26 oz. 8 dwt. a ton. Hole drilled into footwall at this point, 7 dwt. a ton. No. 3 shaft down 3ft. hanging wall, 11 dwt. a ton. Lode at bottom of shaft now 6ft. wide. Footwall not yet reached. Specimens obtained from bottom of shaft show free gold. No. 4 shaft interrupted by rain.

No. 5 shaft commenced at 10ft. N.W. of No. 3.

At 6ft. from surface assayed 3½ oz. a ton over width 11ft. Adit S. of creek at 45ft. from creek assayed 6 oz. 9 dwt.

May 31: Adit at 50ft. from creek, 8¼ oz. a ton.

Face at 55ft., 4ft. width, 10 oz. a ton. Two ft. formation, hanging wall, 3 dwt. a ton. No. 4 shaft, 10ft. deep, not yet sampled. Encountering water.

No. 1 shaft making water. Installing pump. No. 2 shaft, 38ft. deep, sampled 7ft. across at 34ft. As sayed 34½ oz. a ton. Hole drilled 2½ft. into hanging wall. At 34ft. assayed 12½ dwt. a ton. No. 3 shaft sampled across 7ft. at Assayed 12 dwt. Footwall not yet reached. Shaft being timbered. No. 5 shaft sunk to lift. No further sampling. Preparing site for main shaft. Water supply, pumps, pipe, and tanks installed.

June 10: Bulk sampling of ore from adit, 57ft. to 60ft., 19 oz. per ton; 60ft. to 63ft., 18 oz. per ton; face sample at 63ft. 19 oz. 4 dwt. No. 2 shaft, bulk sampling of ore from bottom at about 38ft., 6 oz. 4 dwt.

June 14: New prospecting license has been issued to Loloma G.M. Cos., covering the whole of the area acquired.

Fiji-Austral Gold Syndicate

Fiji-Austral Gold Syndicate N.L, has engaged Mr. J. Rodda to proceed to Fiji on behalf of the syndicate. Mr. Rodda has had a long experience of prospecting in Fiji, and has certain definite areas to prospect. The syndicate is being formed in Victoria, and the manager, pro tem, is Mr.

J. G. S. Stewart, 31 Queen Street, Melbourne.

Fiji Gold, N.L.

With a nominal capital of £30,000, in 3000 shares of £10 each, Fiji Gold, N.L., has been formed in Victoria. Two thousand shares were subscribed for at £5 each; 400 are to be held under option to the promoters for nine months, or at any time within that period, at par; 400, fully paid, are to he allotted to the vendor, Mr. A. Bowler, and his nominees for obtaining the options in Fiji, and 200 will be held in reserve. The company will acquire free options over three prospecting licences on the Tavua goldfield, Viti Levu. Budd’s area adjoins the Koroere and Loloma. Should the option be exercised, Mr. Budd is to receive £5000 and 10 per cent, in shares in a company formed to work the area. In the event of the option over Mr. Ragg’s area being exercised, he will receive £2000 and 10 per cent, in shares in a new company. Should the option over Gunga Singh’s area be exercised, he will receive £5000 and 5 per cent, in shares in anew company. Mr. H. V. Francis has been engaged to superintend operations on the field and development work. He will work in conjunction with Gold Mines of Fiji. Supervision of both co.’s will be from one base camp. The directors are Messrs. A. Bowler, G. R. Clarke, D. J.

McClelland, D. Reid, and S. Wright-Smith. A local director will be appointed at Suva. Mr. J. D.

Morrison, Bank-place, Melbourne, is the legal manager.

The various areas held by Gold Mines of Fiji, N.L., and Fiji Gold, N.L., are being manned by miners from New Zealand, as the Fijian Govern ment prefers them owing to their special know

ledge of the class of mining there. A suitable truck has been obtained for carriage of plant, also samples from the various blocks to a central assay plant. Development work on all blocks is pro-

gressing satisfactorily.

Rewa Prospecting Syndicate

Representatives of Rewa Prospecting Syndicate N.L., in Fiji, advise that sinking is in progress on a promising ore body, composed of altered andesite, 4 feet in width, which has been traced 100 yards across the area, and shows a definite tail of gold in dish prospects.

Tavua area, June 4: Shaft sunk 17ft. Lode widened to sft., shows definite tail of gold in dish prospects. Acquired 75 p.c. interest in 400 acres on Wainivesi River. Prospecting reveals gold bearing formations, one leader carrying free gold; estimated value 10 dwt.

Loloma West Ltd.

Mr. A. J. Phillips, of Stringer and Phillips Pty.

Ltd., legal manager of Loloma West Ltd., left for Fiji recently. He took with him a mine manager and a party of miners to push on with development of the company’s four areas in Fiji. Mr. Phillips will attend to the consolidation of the company’s interests, and will inspect the properties. Dr.

Loitus Hills is testing the area for Loloma West, and will submit his report shortly to the directors.

Koroere Gold N.L.

Tunnels being driven by Koroere Gold N.L. on the property at Viti Levu, Fiji, have not yet reached the lode channels, which is their objective.

Following is a progress report of operations, received by the management: Nos. 1,2, 3, and 4 tunnels to 105 ft., 40ft., 83ft., and 32ft. respectively.

First three show mixture of formation at various points. Tunnels now sampled give following results —No. 1, from 30 to 90ft., averaged 1.8 dwt; No. 2 tunnel portal, to 35ft., averaged 1 dwt.-; No. 3 tunnel, traces. No. 4 tunnel been in formation from commencement. Averages 1.7 dwt. Tunnels not reached lode channels, toward which they are being driven. Rock drills now working in two tunnels. Have commenced trenching and shaft sinking on Cardigan lease. One shaft on N. end of Cardigan lode, other work on outcrops N. and N.W. Cardigan lode. All work going smoothly.

Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate

Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate N.L. has acquired a free option over an additional 1500 acres of alluvial deep lead, contiguous on the south to the present lease, which contains approximately 3000 acres. The total area acquired is on the Clunes main lead, and takes in over four miles in length of alluvial deep lead. The lead has been bored on both the north and south ends by the Mines Department, with satisfactory results. Additional power drilling is being carried out in the central section of the lease to fix the site for the main working shaft. No. 1 bore on this line is bottomed at 130 feet, in 6 feet of wash. It is expected that the boring will be completed in about nine weeks, after which the syndicate proposes to form a working company to develop the property. At Riki Riki, Fiji, the syndicate has applied for 1000 acres. In addition a reward lease has been applied for. Three lodes, respectively 20 feet, 15 feet, and 4 feet in width, are reported to exist on the property, giving values on pan sampling up to 1 oz. a ton. The company’s geologist is optimistic regarding the possibilities of the new field.

Fiji Mining Corporation Ltd.

The directors of Fiji Mining Corporation Ltd. advise that since the fully equipped expedition was despatched to Fiji, Mr. W. J. Nicol, the leader, had been active in the interests of the company.

Some time was spent prospecting in the Momi district, and an option on reasonable terms had been taken over a prospecting licence of 330 acres, known as Faddy’s, whilst a further area was pegged out on behalf of the company in respect of which an application for a prospecting licence was granted by the Mining Board. Prospecting was proceeding on these properties, but payable values had not yet been met. Mr. Nicol had also visited Kandava Island to inspect a property offered, but could not substantiate the values said to exist there. The dredging possibilities of the Sigatoka River were examined, but it was decided not to peg any areas there at present. The main activity of the company was now the area known as prospecting licence No. 214, consisting of 305 acres next to that area o fthe Tavua Options, which adjoined the Emperor mine, at Tavua. An option had been secured up to February 1, 1936, and vigorous prospecting was being carried out. No difficulty was anticipated in obtaining a renewal of this license from the Mining Board. A shaft was being sunk on the property, and results obtained to date were most encouraging. Sampling at 34 feet had disclosed values of 6 dwt. over a width of 6 feet, right across the shaft, with no walls disclosed, which indicated the existence of a large auriferous ore body. Mr. Nicol regarded this development as

hopeful, as values were increasing with depth. Two other areas had been offered to the company, and these would be inspected and reported on by Mr.

Nicol when opportunity offered.

A cablegram received in June stated; Shaft sunk to 38ft. Last 4ft. in sulphides. Assays poor.

Will open out later at 33ft., where values obtained.

Stopped prospecting on Yako area.

Totola Syndicate Ltd.

To investigate gold-bearing prospects in Fiji, Totola Syndicate Ltd. was registered m Sydney in May, with a nominal capital of £3000. Dr. G.

Harris has been engaged to make a report. He arrived in Fiji on May 7, accompanied by Mr. W.

C. Nicholson, a former resident of Fiji, and a competent prospector, to commence investigations.

Dr. Harris reported in June that he had signed a six months’ developmental option on two proper ties at Vannakevu. He said he would proceed immediately to the areas.

East Reefs (Consolidated) N.L,

East Reefs (Consolidated) N.L. has been registered in Victoria with a capital of £40,000, in 4000 shares of £10 each to take over from East Reefs (Bendigo) N.L. its rights and applications for prospecting licences in Fiji. Allotments have been made covering 2000 shares at £3 each, and 1000 fully paid shares have been issued to the vendor company. At the preliminary meeting of share holders the following directors were appointed: Dr.

A. E. Ffrost, Messrs. C. G. Hylton, E. W. Lowe, T. J. Rogers and one local director, Sir Henry Marks, of Suva. The legal manager is E. J. Turner (McKell, Turner Pty. Ltd.), 100 Queen Street, Melbourne.

Mr. T. J. Rogers reported to the new concern his conclusions relative to the areas applied for on behalf of East Reefs (Bendigo) N.L. One pro perty, he stated, showed leaders carrying values worth following, and the rich shoots which occur led him to believe that a lode is in existence close at hand. If so, there is the making of a decent

mine, he concluded. The assays range from 2 to 12 dwt. This is the property on which Mr. T. G.

Barker has already reported.

On Tune 12, Sir Henry Marks (of Suva), solicitor to and a director of East Reefs Consolidated N.L., advised the management that the applications by the company for licenses in Fiji had been rejectech He advised re-application after certain

conditions had been complied with. Mr. T. R.

Rogers sailed from Fiji for Melbourne on June 10 with full information of the conditions.

Aloha Central, G.M.

A cablegram received recently by the acting legal manager of Aloha Central, G.M., N.L., from Mr.

F. M. Gilder, legal manager, who is in Fiji, states that he is forwarding by mail a preliminary report by Dr. Loftus Hill, whose opinion is very favourable. An extract states that the Costello 30-acre block contains an exceptional concentration of gold-bearing lode formation. The lodes are large and persistent over the whole length of the area.

The lodes are of the type which will persist down ward by an appreciable depth. It can be expected that developments will prove a large tonnage of ore reserves.

The latest report from the mine manager at Tavua is as follows: Commenced shaft sinking on May 13. Will xcut lode formation at depth of 25ft. to 30ft. Proposed to sink six shafts, 5ft. x 6ft. No. 1 shaft is chains N. of S.W. corner peg, and 121ft. E. of western boundary. Shafts will be 30ft. apart, and, allowing for length of shaft, will make a total distance of 180ft. of xcutting. Dish prospects been obtained in each shaft.

After samples from the shafts had been assayed this report was issued in Melbourne: No. 1 shaft, depth 21ft., 3 to 8 ft., value 5 dwt. a ton. 8 to 13ft., trace. 15 to 18ft., 48 dwt. Grab sample of dump, 7 dwt. 18ft., 70 dwt. 19ft. along bottom, 7 dwt. 18ft. (specimens of samples of stone show ing pyrites) assayed 26 dwt. a ton. 21ft., 30 dwt.

Lode 6ft. wide. No. 2 shaft, 18in. to a ton. to 4 dwt. a ton. 17 to 20ft., trace. Nos. 3,4, 5, and 6 shafts, average depth 7ft., showing traces to 1 dwt. a ton. No. 1 tunnel to 30ft., trace. No. 2 tunnel to 15ft. Value 1 dwt. a ton. To 20ft., trace; to 30ft., 4 dwt. a ton; 40 to 45ft., trace. Trenches 1,2, and 3, all in lode formation. A few grains

to 12 dwt. Assayed 62 samples. All shew fine gold, from trace upwards.

Aloha Syndicate G.M.

Mr. F. M. Gilder, legal manager of Aloha Syndicate G.M., N.L., writing from Suva, Fiji, on May 20, advises that, with the assistance of the Mining Board and the Survey Departments, he had obtained a complete set of sectional maps which will be available for Mr. E. T. Lewis, who has been engaged by Aloha Alluvials N.L. to list the company’s properties on the Waimanu and Waidamu Rivers, Fiji. Mr. Lewis has left for the Lower Waimanu River to start his work. Mr. Gilder reported that the Mining Board had granted an extension of the prospecting licenses over the pegged out areas held by Aloha Alluvials N.L. on the Wai manu and Waidamu Rivers until May 25, 1937.

Mr. Gilder said he visited the Tavua field on May 17, in company with Dr. Loftus Hills and Mr.

T. Costello. The mine manager (Mr. G. Barker) and party were occupied in prospecting work on what is known as Costello’s 30-acre block of Aloha Central G.M. N.L. A few dish samples were washed from different parts of the area known as the “flat make” and every dish gave a tail of gold, in some cases one to one and a half inches long. Describing the situation of the block, Mr.

Gilder states is abuts on a creek called Lololevu.

The upper salient of the creek is in the 30 acres, and it is proposed to drive a tunnel some hundreds of feet into the hill. Values have been taken from trenches cut in various parts of the hill, and also from the foot of it. Only a few shallow pits have been put down on the lease by the original prospectors, and none was deeper than 10 or 12 feet, and no explosives had been used on the area prior to Aloha Central commencing operations. Samples of lode material taken from this block, and compared with samples taken from the Emperor, in the opinion of Dr. Loftus Hills, disclose no geological difference. From the Emperor mine to the Aloha Central lease is over a rough track which surmounts a hill, followed by a steep descent of about 200 feet, and over this track everything has to be carried by native labour.

From Papua

Papuan Exploration & Development

Papuan Exploration and Development, N.L., has been registered in Sydney, with a nominal capital of £5000, in 500 shares of £10 each. The first place of operations is in the north-eastern district of Papua. First directors: E. D. Aboud, C. W.

Firth, and C. O. Beck.

Misima Central N.L.

Development work carried out by Misima Central N.L., the mine manager reports, discloses huge ore bodies on the properties at Ginisea and Tomiera, Misima Island, Papua. On the Tomiera leases, comprising 118 acres, the lodes are on the same line as those of Misima Gold Reefs N.L. and New Misima Gold Mines Ltd., the latter company having successfully operated and paid big dividends for several years. A lode has been cut by adit 70ft. below the cap, disclosing a width of 38ft., assaying from 2½ to 5½ dwt. of gold a ton. Values should greatly improve at depth as it is the usual characteristic of Misima lodes. On the Ginisea leases, which are situated east of the New Misima Gold Mines Ltd. areas, and comprise an area of 96 acres, the main drive is in 103 feet from the portal of the adit, and is entirely in lode matter.

Crosscuts disclose the width to be 15ft. A large black manganese-stained lode junctions at 60ft., showing values of 5 dwt. 5 grs. of gold a ton. A crosscut W. from No. 1 adit and near the centre of the leases cut a lode 14ft. wide, 6ft. of which is brown rubbly quartz, assaying 5 dwt. 5 grs. of gold a ton, and 8ft. of black manganese lode assaying 14 dwt. 9 grs. of gold a ton. The main lode at Ginisea has been traced for a distance of approximately 1600ft.

Lakekamu Goldfields N.L.

Mr. R. A. Clinton, superintending engineer of Lakekamu Goldfields (Papua) Development N.L., has reported on four additional bores on a section of lease 20 of the Twisty Areas. The bores gave values up to 9.9d a yard (based on gold at £4/5/an oz. stg.) through 40ft. of wash, the average value of the four bores is 5d a yard, and the average depth of wash 38ft. Delay has been occasioned by the breaking down of one of the power drills, but more rapid progress can now be expected. Boring has also commenced on the Tiveri main leases.

Communications with the field have been delayed, owing to the disorganisation of the wireless telephone at the Bulldog aerodrome.

May 29: Bore Line No. 1: Six bores give values up to 8.7d. The average value of these bores is

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6.5 and, and the average depth 13 feet. Bore Line No. 2: This bore line is situated 440 yards from line No. 1, three bores giving values up to 7.4 and. The average value of the drill bores is 3.5d, and the average depth 14ft.

Misima United, N.L.

The mine manager of Misima United N.L. reported early in June as follows: Struck reef 3ft. wide in No. 1 xcut at 162ft. Estimate values at 15 dwt. a ton. Adit is in 194ft. in porphyry. Evidently main lodes dips at angle of 60 per cent., south-westerly. No. 2 adit in 92ft., in porphyry.

No. 3 adit in 6ft.; No. 4, 47ft.; No. 5, 6ft. Driven here along lode N.W., starting 900ft. S.E. No. 1, 250ft. Driving here will give 125ft. of backs. No. 1A adit in 30ft. Xcutting new lode. Width of lode 28ft. Face of xcut still in ore. Lode traced for 250ft. Pannings give good results. Total driven, 375ft., not including prospecting tunnels.

Yodda Goldfields Co.

The manager of Yodda Goldfields reports that for March and April 125 oz. 15 dwt. of bullion were produced, upon which the bank advanced £7 an ounce. Both units of Hall’s Creek and Ebei Creek have now been shifted to more payable ground, and as four sluice boxes are now being worked an increased production for the future is predicted.

Four native houses, accommodating 120 natives, and a hospital have been built. Twelve and a half acres have been cleared, cultivated, and planted. The cost of these, in addition to the ordinary working expenses, about £350 a month, has been met from the proceeds of gold won from the mine. As all capital expenditure has now practically ceased future operations should show a profit. The manager suggests the installation of another unit on Yodda Creek, which could be worked for a comparatively small cost, and make the whole field profitable.

New Misima Gold Mines Ltd.

Report from Papua on May 2 by F. W. Cuthbert (managing director), New Misima Gold Mines Ltd., stated: Over 1250 tons ore have been put through mill, yielding 950 tons of sand and 303 of slime for gold bullion of approximate value in Australian currency of £3877/13/3. New bulk receiving store has been erected on trading allotment near the wharf in Bwagaoia harbour. Mine work has been carried on as usual. Main levels have been extended 70ft., rises 58ft., crosscuts 75ft. Repairs to main levels 122ft. Main service double tram line relaid with new rails 300ft. Monthly dividend No. 42 of 1/6 per share has been declared payable.

From New Guinea

Barola Gold Reefs N.L.

Opening up and testing of the lode formation of the area held under option by Barola Gold Reefs N.L. on the Ramu, New Guinea, is now progressing satisfactorily. Some delay was occasioned by heavy rain. A tunnel has been driven 60 feet under the outcrop, and a shaft is being sunk higher up

the hill. It is expected to strike the lode formation at about 30 feet. Dish prospects taken show fine gold. Four samples have been forwarded to Melbourne for assay, also 2 oz. 1 dwt. of gold washed from 12 cubic yards of the alluvial area contained in the lease.

Oriomo Explorations Ltd.

Oriomo Explorations Ltd. reports that contour survey maps and drilling logs confirm information regarding Consolidated areas at Bulolo as old river and recent gravels. Preliminary pitting of old river gravels indicates an average value of 5/10 per cubic yard for an average depth of 33ft.

Available water from the Anamapi Creek, to which the company has power water rights, will provide by race two miles long 1500 cubic feet per minute under 400 ft. head. Preliminary surveys of pastoral areas and contiguous dredging claims indicate prospective continuous dredging area of 1150 acres. Surface prospecting of old river gravels by shallow pitting discloses satisfactory values.

The full issue of 224,922 shares having been allotted, the directors have decided that, after pay ment of the first call, of 6d per share, there will be an extension of two months before further calls, provided for in the original allotment notice, become payable. The prospective work on the Consolidated areas at Bulolo will commence immediately on the arrival there of two drilling plants shipped on June 13.

Sandy Ck. Gold Sluicing Co.

By arrangement with New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing Ltd. (New Guinea), has acquired further water rights which will materially increase the water supply. The company now has a minimum of 12 cub secs, of water more than at the time of its formation.

Upper Watut Gold Alluvials

Upper Watut Gold Alluvials N.L., New Guinea, has completed the purchase of a lease known as Day’s, adjoining its property on the Watut River.

The management reports that this lease contains approximately 4,000,000 cubic yards, and highly favourable reports have been made upon the area.

Portions of the area have been worked by tributers for the oast two years with highly satisfactory results. The managing director (Mr. D. J. McClelland) has completed the designs, plans, and specifications of the race line tunnels and flumes of the company’s hydro-electric power scheme. A contract has been let to a large firm of contractors for the work of construction, which will commence this week. The scheme provides for the diversion: of 78 cusecs of water from the Big Slate Creek, and the conveyance of this volume of water for three miles to the power station. Approximately 1800 h.p. will be generated by the available water power.

Guinea Gold, N.L.

Guinea Gold, N.L., was never in a stronger financial position than it stood to-day, said the chairman, Mr. C. V. T. Wells, at a meeting of share holders* in Adelaide on May 31. The company’s principal asset, he said, was 64,325 fully-paid shares in Bulolo Gold Cos. In the last six years general reserve had mounted from £17,789 to £541,573 —the result, chiefly, of appreciation in the value of the shares held by the company.

Enterprise Of N. Guinea

Directors of Enterprise of New Guinea N.L. report that an hydraulic sluicing plant, recommended by Mr. W. F. McKenzie, hydraulicing engineer, stored in the vicinity of the company’s property at Upper Watut, has been purchased on a favour able cost basis. Arrangements are being made to send over experts to erect the plant on the property at Upper Watut immediately. A large saving has been made through the company being able to purchase the plant locally, as transport costs have been obviated. Intensive prospecting is being carried out on the Oriabanda leases, where Mr. Miller is superintending box-sluicing opera tions, results of which should be available at art early date. To provide capital for the work, 6000 reserved shares are being offered at £3/10/- each.

The representative in New Guinea of Enterprise of New Guinea N.L. advised the directors later that the sluicing work being carried on in connection with the testing of the new areas is proving highly payable. His previous opinion that the ground is of considerable potential value is being definitely confirmed. He is confident the work being continued on these areas will be rewarded with something worth while. The areas are distinct from the Surprise Creek leases.

Bulolo Gold Deposits

A clean-up made on their property by Bulolo Gold Deposits Ltd., shows a recovery of 124 oz. 11dwt. Considerable delay was caused recently through flood damage which has been repaired and work is now on wash of better values.

New Morobe Gold N.L.

Arrangements have been made by New Morobe Gold N.L. for Mr. J. M. Spence to investigate

and report on the Ornapinka property held under option. In a recent report from the Ornapinka mine the testing engineer stated that 20 pits on the lower flats gave values of 2/7 a yard, calculated at the old price of gold. Mr. Spence will also report on anew option secured known as the Yonga option. The representative in New Guinea advises that drilling has been commenced on the Wewak property, held under option for 12 months.

Gold Prospecting & Development

To test thoroughly and prove a reported rich find of 1575 acres in virgin country in New Guinea, Gold Prospecting and Development (New Guinea) N.L., has been formed m Victoria, with a capital of £6000 in £5 shares. Of these, 500 are being offered to the public at £2 a share application and allotment. At the preliminary meeting. Edmund G. Barker, L. E.

Stringer. Alwyn H. Croft, and H. C. Davis were elected directors; and Mr. K. W. Steedman, legal manager.

Ramu (N.G.) Gold Syndicate

The representative in the Mandated Territory of Ramu (New Guinea) Gold Syndicate N.L. advises that the testing by Mr. J. M. Spence of the properties under option is proceeding satisfactorily. The area, which is a large one, and suitable for working by sluicing, has proved gold bearing and payable to date, but bottom has not yet been reached. While testing on behalf of the syndicate is being carried out the vendor is working on the leases, and is making an oz. of gold a day by hand power.

Day Dawn (N.G.), Ltd.

Operations of Day Dawn (New Guinea), Ltd., for the twelve months ended December 31, resulted in a net profit of £12,477. With £20,169 brought in, £32,646 was available, out of which a dividend absorbed £6000, leaving a credit balance of £26,646 to be carried forward. At the close of the year the surplus of liquid assets was £9257.

The Co. crushed 16,809 tons of ore for 9198 ozs. of bullion, which realised £41,351. Considerable delay was experienced in the erection of the cyanide plant, and a further difficulty occurred through shortage of timber, which prevented sufficient being available to work the plant. Arrangements have been completed with New Guinea Goldfields, Ltd., for the use of electric power, which necessitated the erection of transmission lines.

Mandated Gold, N.L.

Expenditure of Mandated Gold N.L., for the period February 15, 1934. to February 28 last, exceeded the revenue by £2777. At that date the surplus of liquid assets was £1123. The company was formed primarily to equip an expedition to prospect portions of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea under the leadership of Mr. T. J.

Shephard, consulting engineer. After arrangements had been made at Salamaua regarding recruiting of native labour and the purchase of equipment, Mr. Shephard was stricken with an attack of malaria, and the expedition was abandoned. Several properties have since been tested, but the company has not yet found a suitable proposition.

Watut Dredging N.L.

At the preliminary meeting in May of shareholders in Watut Dredging N.L., New Guinea, Messrs. J. J. Liston, A. C. Gillespie, L. Rubenstein, and A. R. Dodson were elected directors, and Mr. H. C. Archdall. 422 Collins Street, Melbourne, was appointed legal manager. Nominal capital is £7000, in 700 shares of £10 each, of which 500 shares have been subscribed for at par; 100, fully paid, will be issued to the promoter, and 100 shares will be held under option to the promoter for six months. The company has been formed to acquire from Mr. A. R. Dodson an option which he holds to purchase dredging and sluicing leases on the Lower Watut River, New Guinea. The length of the properties is approximately eleven miles, with a varying width of 15 to 20 chains. The estimated depth of wash is 30 to 40 feet, and the values are estimated at 4/1 a cubic yard. Mr. J. M.

Spence has been retained to examine and report upon the areas. Should his report be favour able prospecting and testing of the property will commence.

Edie Creek G.M. Co.

A geologist’s report on the property of Edie Creek Gold-mining Cos. N.L. states that the main lode had an average thickness of 13ft. over a length of 300 ft. The average grade was probably a little better than sdwt. a ton. The lode consisted of manganese and quartz, with considerable iron. The lode was usually divided into sections, about 2ft. of barren quartz, then 2ft. of quartz and ferruginous material with much manganese, followed by 2ft. of quartz, 3ft. of soft manganese with limonite and good values, then 3ft. of quartz and ferruginous material, and then hard siliceous lode matter and rock to the hanging-wall. It is

suggested that by proper selection of material from the lode a good grade of ore could be treated in the plant of the company, which provides for direct cyanidation only. Several other lodes of similar grade are to be found in the mine, their width being about 3ft.

Golden Terraces (N.G.) Syndicate

The directors of Golden Terraces (New Guinea) Syndicate, N.L., advise that they have acquired an option of purchase over leases known as Lower Edie Alluvials and adjoining the property already held by the company under option. A report on the area by Mr. J. M. Spence, of Wau, New Guinea, states that the leases are situated on the Lower Edie Creek, and within a mile upstream from Bulolo River and the original Guinea Gold properties. Mr. Spence is of the opinion that approximately half the creek running through the “Rockcliffe" lease has been worked, but he has no doubt that it could be worked again with profit.

Upper Sepik Gold Syndicate

Directors of Upper Sepik Gold Syndicate N.L. have secured an option over a property on the Upper Watut River, New Guinea. The lease covers an area of approximately 220 acres. The property has been reported on by Mr. J. M. Spence, who states the lease covers three miles in length of the river, and the flats are pegged to a width of ten chains from the centre of the river. The bottom half of the lease contains several million yards of alluvial. The property of the Bulolo Dredging Cos. Ltd. adjoins the lease on the bottom boundary. Dish tests at several points on the flats along the river proved ground worth 3/- a yard, with gold at £8 an oz. The large Bulwa aerodrome is within 1½ hour walk. No difficulty will be met in putting a good road into the property.

Oil Search, Ltd.

Advice received from New Guinea by Oil Search, Ltd., states that one group is occupied in exploratory work in parts of the Sepik River Valley, never before visited by geologists. The other group is occupied in detailed studies of structures already pointed out. A discovery of importance is the presence of oil at one point, this being the first occurrence ever reported south of the Torricelli Mountains.

New Guinea Goldfields Ltd.

Monthly returns and estimated profits of New Guinea Goldfields Ltd. are compared in the following table: —

Development: Total development, 267 ft., including 92ft. of rising for blocking out ore in Edie veins 1 and 2. Diamond drilling: Bore-hole on Karuka vein completed at 195 ft. Vein was cut at 147 ft. Width, 9ft. 7in., assaying 0.260 z. gold and 3.5oz. silver. Tailings treatment; New plant commenced operations at end of April. Edie Creek mill: Work proceeding satisfactorily.

Bulolo Dredge Production

Production of the four dredges of the Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd., for May, compared with that of the previous two periods as follows:

Gold, fine oz. 11,521 10,540 10,377

Value—

Aust. Currency *£102,248 *£93,542 *£92,096* Per cubic yard /26.70 /25.71 /24.83.

Working Profit £73,529 £65,257 £63,882 At £A8/17/6 per fine ounce.

Alluvial— March.

April.

May.

Fine gold, oz. 1470 1308 1525 Fine silver, oz. 1105 1013 1208 Mill- Fine gold, oz 1724 1525 1455 Fine silver, oz. 881 803 776 Estimated Profit- Feb.

March.

April.

Alluvial £6,616 £8,194 £6,871 Mill £10,044 £8,090

March. April. May.

Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 dredges— Cubic yards 919,000 892,000 890,000 Bullion, oz 16,601 15,357 15,059