Search For Gold In Fiji

Important Development Under Non-Socialist Regime

THE removal of the Socialist canker from the British Colonial administration has had one interest ing result in Fiji. The Fiji Govern ment now proposes to encourage a search for gold, by offering the pros pectors rewards instead of penalising them; and the Fiji goldmining com panies (Emperor and Loloma) have applied for prospecting licenses over 14,000 acres in the valley system adjoining Vatoukoula, and £200,000 will be spent on a geological survey, followed—if justified—by what is called churn drilling on a large scale.

The Tavua goldfield of Viti Levu, Fiji, is an unusual field in some respects. It contains a telluride ore —which is generally different to what is found in goldbearing regions of the Southwest Pacific—and when the field eventually was proved the pay able gold was limited to one small area (what is now Vatoukoula).

From the closely-grouped three mines of Emperor, Loloma and Dolphin some remarkably rich ore has been taken in the last 15 years.

The whole of the surrounding region was closely prospected, and abandoned as of too low value; yet there are many who still say that the rich gold already found in Viti Levu is' as nothing compared with what may still be discovered in the northern hills of that island.

Because of the ferocity of Aus tralian taxation, and the fact that most of the Emperor and Loloma shares are held in Australia, the companies have kept as much of their earnings as possible in Fiji, and the balance-sheets show a very healthy accumulation.

The late Mr. Theodore proposed to use some of this money in the development of a goldfield in Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands; but when the British Socialist Gov ernment came along with the new regulations, calculated to allow the BSI administration to seize a large part of any new mineral wealth un covered by private enterprise, he cancelled the enterprise in disgust.

It is hoped now that the search may be resumed in the Solomons.

IMJI has benefited enormously from 4 goldmining enterprise estab lished in Tavua by the Wren-Theo dore interests; but, of course, the three mines developed there, like all mines, have a limited life, and it is gratifying to know that a large part of the gold won from those mines is

now to be used in seeking for more gold-bearing ore, in the same island.

Fiji is a rich colony because it is a three-economy country—it has three substantial industries!, in the production of sugar, copra and gold; and anyone can see the wisdom of the Fijian Government in co-operat ing with private enterprise to keep the gold industry going as long as possible.

Never in history has a goldfield been discovered and developed by Government enterprise—Socialist or

any other kind—it is essentially a task for private enterprise.

Officials of the goldmining com panies told the Melbourne news papers on May 1 that the prospecting licenses had been applied for because of more favourable taxation con templated by the Fijian Govern ment towards the mining industry and the recent values disclosed in. churn drilling now in progress in the eastern section of the Emperor lease at Vatoukoula.

The programme recommended by the Chief General Manager (Mr. N.

E. Nilsen) covers about three years for an estimated cost of £200,000. including plant and equipment. (Continued on page 117)

Total expenditure will be shared qually by the three operating com lanies at Vatoukoula Emperor Jold Mining Co. Ltd., Loloma (Fiji) sold Mines N.L., and the Dolphin Jines Ltd. Any benefits from the roposed programme will be shared qually by these companies.

It is stated in Suva that the gold ompanies will spend £200,000 in iree years on prospecting, and that ic Fiji Government, by reducing old royalties and increasing depre iation allowances in respect of tax ble income, will make concessions

to the companies equal to about <£200,000.

Bound for Perth, WA on three months’ leave Mr. G. R. Lange, Health Inspector, accompanied by his wife, left Rabaul on April 26. A week earlier, at the Methodist Church, he gave away his daughter, Valerie June, in marriage to Mr.

Ronald Blackert, of the Common wealth Bank. At the reception at the New Britain Women’s Club, over one hundred guests were entertained.