Edie Creek News

From Our Own Correspondent

Edie Ck.. Jan. 10.

THE holiday season has been particularly quiet in this centre —many of the residents being away in Wau—but the New Year promises to be prosperous for Edie Creek. The starting of a 20-stamp head at N.G.G. mine, coupled with the reorganising and floating of Developments (E.C.G.M.N.L.) and the rumour that Day Dawn Ltd. may reopen are good cause for optimism. Now that alluvial mining (except for N.G.G. Ltd.) is practically finished, residents look to these three mines to maintain the life of the community.

The crushing at N.G.G. during December was mostly experimental, to allow re-adjustments to the machinery, but the opening for 1936 sees the plant in proper working order. It appears that more intensive prospecting and development work is to be undertaken on Mount Kaindi, between the Merri Creek and Wau, and the Co. is interested in purchasing further small private holdings on Merri Creek. Prospecting on the left bank of the Edie Creek disclosed large bodies of wash, but values are reputed to be low in much of it.

Mr. Blakie Webster, of London, and Mr. MacCul loch, of Sydney, directors of N.G.G. Ltd., have been inspecting the Co.’s plant and mines.

Mr. “Doe” Davis, tributing on Cameron and Bowden’s holdings near Blue Point, has opened

out a nice looking body of wash high above the creek on rim rock—a shoot over 90ft. long carries the wash down for boxing.

Mr. “Don” McDonald has finished up on the headwaters of Stower’s Creek, and is now spending a few days in Wau and Salamaua.

Mr. Neville Mac Lean has left Edie store, and is now on the staff of Turner’s Transport Co.

Mr. Frank McKee has left Edie Creek, and is now mining at Wampit.

Mr. W. C. Abbie has returned from a success ful recruiting trip.

Mrs. H. Rex has departed from Whitbourne’s Creek, making for the Wampit area.

On December 21 a heavy hailstorm destroyed many gardens. The hail adhered in hollows in the ground, and the natives were collecting these large masses as late as noon the following day.

This is the severest hailstorm so far experienced by Europeans at Kaindi —it was restricted to com paratively small areas on high ground where hail as large as marbles fell heavily for 40 minutes, the surrounding country being blanketed with white—a real Xmas card effect. In these areas of intense hail the trees and undergrowth were reduced of foliage. The natives showed some fear of this unusual occurrence.

Mr. W. Davis has resigned from N.G.G. Ltd., and has purchased Mr. Wilkin’s claims on Sandy Creek.

Mr. Geo. Cooper is now working Alex Dickson’s leases oif Edie Creek.

Mr. Geo. Bellamy, who has left N.G.G. Ltd., is at present in charge of Albert Schrater’s lease, whilst Mr. Schrater is taking Xmas vacation.

Mr. and Mrs. K. S. Spinks proceeded South by the last Neptuna on three months’ leave.