Misima Collapse

End Believed In Sight

From Our Own Correspondent

Sam Arm, Nov. 23.

I AM afraid that the end is in sight at Mount Sisa (Gold Mines of Papua).

Their prospecting operations have been disappointing, and the expectation here is that there is nothing to do now but dispose of the valuable machinery.

There is thought to be a likelihood that Cuthbert’s Company will buy the plant and lease, and work the mill on the spot on ore taken from the Umuna Lode.

Another report is that Quartz Moun tain, a New Zealand company which has been under reconstruction, and which holds valuable leases in the same district in Misima, is likely to buy up the G.M.O.P. plant at a bargain price.

Directors’ Report

Pessimism is the dominating note of the annual report issued by the directors of Gold Mines of Papua Ltd., for the year ended June 30 last.

As is generally known, this Co.’s mine on Misima, Eastern Papua, after being fully equipped with a large and expensive plant ceased operations in August last owing to the unexpected low value of the ore being obtained; and, since then, only prospecting operations have been carried on, in the hope of being able to pick up a new and more valuable lode —possibly a continuation of the well known Umuna lode, on which the Cuth bert mine is so profitably operating.

The directors say that a large ore body has been located with generally similar physical characteristics to those of the Umuna lode, and this body is being in vestigated, but the cross-cut values to date are most disappointing.

Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Thorpe, with their two sons, Kitson and Elton, recently re turned to Thursday Island, after four months’ motor tour in Australia.