Important Move by

Gold In The

Solomons ?

Important Move by Mr. Theodore

From a Special Correspondent

Tulagi, June 2.

HIP, Hip, Hooray! A “comet” has appeared, bringing visions of hope and wealth to this dejected and down-trodden, and, we fear, almost for gotten speck of the Empire.

It appeared in the person of one Theodore, who has come to take gold mining out of the hands of “unsystematic scratchers” (PIM, March) and—we hope —nroduce bullion.

He has been given the central slab, amounting to about a third of the island of Guadalcanal, or about 750 square miles, to prospect, with the (so far) only known gold-bearing area in the centre of it. It is said that, in return, he has agreed to spend £lO,OOO per year for five years in prospecting and developing it.

The rumour that the Treasurer and Collector of Customs (Mr. P. E. John son) was seen in undignified attitudes, turning hand-springs around his office table, has not been confirmed; but hopes are high, among all sections that fortune yet may knock at our door.

Before going off South to set the wheel of industry turning, Mr. Theodore made a foot-slogging dash into the hills, for a general look around, and never turned a hair—though such an effort would have prostrated many a younger and less bulky man.

A heap of materials has been landed on Guadalcanal, and young Cramar-Roberts is in charge, wangling them up into the hills per “rice” power and establishing a base camp south of the eold-ridge area.

Though the field was discovered about 10 years ago (by a “scratcher”) not a solitary soul knows to this day whether the gold-bearing material can be worked payably on a large scale, or what machinery will successfully work it, if any.

The official view seems to be that “scratchers” are largely to blame for this state of affairs, but there is another side to it. For instance, one made application for a block, to begin operations, but was told that he must state (among other things) what machinery he proposed to instal, before a lease would be granted.

He proposed doing some testing, with a view to learning something about it. but was told he couldn't, as he did not have a lease. Up to this period, his gold pros pecting a/c was over £lOOO in the red, without a cent return. His feelings can be imagined, some time later, when he was told that he only wanted to hold the area and sell it, so as to make a for tune. without doing a thing. His cup of chagrin overflowed when he found that another man was working on part of the area, and getting good payable gold, by mere boxing.

Probably, had he stated that he in tended installing a “Jumping Jack”, easting a thousand pounds, he would have got a lease, and could have gone ahead testing. But that didn’t seem honest.

River “scratchers” fare similarly in the matter of assistance. If one applies for 20 chains of river it is called 20 acres, though only about 2 acres are gold bearing and probablv not half of that worth a red cent. £2O against a survey fee. and a half year’s rent, must be sent in with application, and either £5O cash or a bond for that amount must be forthcoming before a lease is granted.

Of course, there must be regulations as a basis of operation in normal times;

but men who have lost their means of support as a result of these most ab normal times, are surely within their rights in expecting some sort of assis tance, even if it has to be charged up to Treasurer Johnson’s "rainy day” fund, which they have shared in building up over the years past.

It is a self-evident fact that the Em pire is gasping for gold these days, and, as this group is gasping for a new industry, and gold has shown itself a promising one, to say the least, no wizard of political economy is needed to advise its fostering to the fullest possible extent.

However, “the comet” has arrived, and doubtless we can now expect the Govern ment to awaken from its coma, and tread on its own heels, running round in small circles, doing some of the things it ought to have done long ago.

Roads may be surveyed, and assisted in the building. Some effort may be made to encourage the establishment of some thing approaching decent accommodation in Tulagi—what we have is just a shame, and is much worse than we had 25 years ago.

A landing-ground for ’planes may be sought, as close to Tulagi as possible, and brought into being—not merely to assist in the establishment of the mining in dustry, but because, after this war, there will be a rush to aerial transport. Young airmen out of a job will be willing to have a go at starting a passenger service to the moon, and it is conceivable that they may even want to fly about the Solomons.

The Possibilities

The following was published in "Sydney Morning Herald” on June 18: — Einperor Gold Mining Co., Ltd., and Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, NL, report that they are acquiring between them a controlling interest in a company being formed in Fiji to carry out gold pros pecting and exploration over a large concession area on the island of Guadal canal in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

Mr. T. R. Victor, a director of Loloma and Emperor, stated in Melbourne last night that part of the area was inspected recently by Mr. E. G. Theodore, who was impressed by its possibilities. The lease comprised about 750 square miles and embraced the whole of the known auri ferous area, with the exception of leases already granted.

Under the supervision of a technical expert from the Loloma mine, Mr. Victor added, the proposed company intended to send a staff of Australian surveyors and prospectors to prospect for lodes on the island.

Mr. Theodore, who is a director of Em peror, and managing director of Loloma, said that the new company was in pro cess of formation and that no details of the capital had yet been decided.