a Bonanza

How Muddling Lost a Bonanza Early Memory of Eastern Papuan Mining

A well-known miner, Mr. Robert Boyd, died recently in Eastern Papua. He was the discoverer of the phenomenally rich Umuna lode, on Misima Island. In this note, Mr. E. Auerbach, of the Trobriand Islands, another pioneer gold-miner, tells how the Misima proposition was first located —and muddled.

SOMETIME in 1904, Bob Boyd left the Woodlark Pty. Co., where he was the manager.

I proposed to Bob that he should go to Misima, prospecting for a reefing show. I took Bob and Paddy Dunn to Misima, early in 1904, in a ketch I had, named “Dobu”, He found the Massive Quartz Mountain and Mt. Sisa. He came back to Woodlark and we formed a small syndicate—Billy Sheddan, Gus Nelsson, Mick Doolan, Bob Kyle, A.

Bidle, G. Auerbach and E. Auerbach.

Bob went back and took up Massive (Umuna) Quartz Mt., and Mt. Sisa, for the syndicate. We held them for about eight years.

Then we sent Bob to Western Aus tralia to try and float the proposition.

He came back with a Mr. Macguire, re presenting Bewick Moreing. He turned it down. Then G. Auerbach brought over Mr. Newman (he was not with the Prat ten group then). He turned it down.

Then came Mr. Alves, representing the

old B.N. Guinea Development Company, but he did nothing.

Then George Auerbach got into touch with M. Bridge, of J. Bridge, the wool people, in Sydney. He sent up Mr. Mat Genge, who took up the property for Broken Hill Block 10. Mr. Ward came from Broken Hill and took charge.

Mr. Ward died from cancer, I believe.

Then there came a period of misman agement and waste. It was reported that one manager paid a well-known Papuan identity £45 per month, as guard on the train (engine and trucks) on condition that he played bridge with him.

As for the original syndicate, they had the pleasure of paying a 6/6 call on their shares!