Seven Dredges

Bulolo Co.'s Profitable Operations in New Guinea

area during the past eight years, and won an enormous quantity of gold.

Nos. 3 and 4: Further down Bulolo, at Bulwa, near junction with Watut.

They also have done highly profitable work. No. 4 was digging her way into the Watut; but recently she got into a rich patch of ground, and apparently is to remain there until it is cleaned out.

No. 5: This is the first deep-digging dredge (40 ft.), located near 1 and 2.

Recently completed, and apparently op erating satisfactorily.

No. 6: A small dredge, digging to about 26 ft., located on the flats near Wau. This is a very successful instal lation—the little dredge does not appear to have stopped since it was started last May.

No. 7; This is a deep-digger—a replica of No. s—and is located in the same area.

No. 8: This, as yet, is little more than a location, on the Watut, near its junction with the Bulolo. It had been intended to shift part of No. 1 to No. 8 location, and build up another dredge there; but No. 1 meanwhile, is operat ing very profitably, so No. 8 plan is held up, for the present. Probably, it will be gone on with when No. 7 is complete^ It is not proposed, at present, to bring in any more dredges.

In addition to the dredges (six now working and one nearing completion), this successful company is carrying on hydraulic sluicing, on the Bulolo flats, above the power-house.

The quantity of gold which this con cern is recovering, for the benefit of its shareholders, and for New Guinea gen erally, must be worth not less than £700,- 000 per annum; and it will be substan tially increased when No. 7 is operating.

The other big Company, New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., still is operating at Edie Creek, Golden Ridges and on the Kor anga-Bulolo area, and is recovering, in the aggregate, much gold. Its operations keep a very large staff employed, and contribute a healthy amount, in the way of royalties, etc., to the Territory re venues, but the shareholders have had only an occasional dribble of dividends in the last ten years.

Mr. and Mrs. Herd arrived in Apia, Western Samoa, by the last “Maui Po mare”. Mr. Herd has been appointed Crown Solicitor in place of Mr. R. V.

McKay, who has left the Territory for New Zealand.