Morobe Warden’s Report

fT'HE following extracts are taken from A the report of the Warden of the Morobe goldfields. New Guinea, issued on

February 3:

Gold and silver exported during January was -22,659 ozs. valued at £A94,847.

Four survey parties operated as follows:—Mr.

Ecclestone and party in the Sandy Creek Area;.

Mr. Ballam and party in the Lower Watut Area; Mr. Bergin and party on Edie Creek; and Mr.

Livingstone and party in the vicinity of Wau.

The weather has been fairly dry, but no short age of water has been reported.

One fatality was reported from Bulolo. A native jumped off a trailer and his legs were lacerated. Though he was taken to hospital im mediately, gangrene developed, and he died.

There are still about half a dozen miners on the W ongumbungor Creek and they appear to be making more than expenses.

Koranga Gold Sluicing Ltd. Lower Koranga Tribute: Two shifts were working daily from January 9 to 30, operating one nozzle, and sluic ing approximately 3,000 cubic yards; the tail-race was extended a distance of 250 ft. Three Euro peans and 67 natives were employed. Korang'a No. 1 Face: One shift was worked for the month on the slip overlying wash dirt. The trolley line was extended 20 ft. A considerable amount of loose stone was trucked away from the -face.

Approximately 8,000 cubic yards of overburden was sluiced away from the slip. Seven Europeans and 124 natives were employed.

Bulolo Gold Deposits Ltd.: Sluicing operations have been carried on continuously,' and three shifts have been organised. A satisfactory clean-up was made on January 31. Work on the Company’s main race at Koranga junction will be completed in about 14 days, preparatory to extensive sluic ing operations in that area. New buildings for staff are being erected. There were 4 whites and 66 natives employed. Mr. F. Whelan is now in charge of the Company’s operations in place of Mr. C. Moen.

Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd.: About 75 trips were made by the Co.’s aeroplanes from the coast, approximately 207 tons of freight being delivered at Bulwa and Bulolo aerodromes. All dredges operated satisfactorily, 890,000 cubic yards were mined which yielded 12,859 unrefined ozs. of gold.

No. 2 dredge, which has been shut down for the installation of modern gold-saving equipment, etc., was again put in operation. The Hydraulip Elevator and boxing operations at the upper end of the property handled 11,560 cubic yards, which yielded 595 unrefined ozs. of gold. Three power drills are operating at the southern end of the property, all on double shifts. Another power drill is testing the Mineral Exploitation Syndicate leases at Wau, where shafting is also being done. A hand drilling set is testing on the Stafford lease at Wau, which are under option.

The general health of the camp is good. Seven whites and 43 natives were treated in hospital.

At the end of the month the Company employed: 251 whites, 5 Chinese, 1,105 natives.

Morobe Alluvials, N.L.: Sluicing operations pro duced 91 ounces from 3951 cubic yards treated,, an average value of 2/3.699 per cubic yard. Test pits are being sunk along the lower boundary of the lease, to bottom, which is usually found about 20 ft. down. Health of labour has been excellent and no accidents occurred.