RICH NEW GUINEA

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19156, 12 November 1927, Page 5

RICH NEW GUINEA

■ ♦: —~ ' ' GREAT MINERAL WEALTH. IMMENSE GOLD REEF. . (7ROM' OCR OW» COEKESPOjrDEOT.) SYDNEY, November 3. A glowing report of tremendous mineral wealth in the mandated territoryof New Guinea was contained in a report to the Federal Minister for Home and Territories by Mr J. D. McLean, official warden for the Bulolo and Edie Creek goldfieJds in that country. , Mr McLean's duties in New Guinea entailed visits alone, except for native carriers, to regions never • previously visited by white men, and-he described much of the country as .almost impenetrable. The conditions of miners working on alluvial gold at Edie Creek, he said, had been much improved. Gold valued at £300,000 had been won by alluvial miners, who, however, had hardly touched their claims yet, and it was his opinion that there was still a large quantity to be obtained. N;o underground work had been attempted, but a line of reef 30ft wide had been discovered. This reef had been traced bv the outcrop for five miles, and prospectors were of opinion that £12,000,000. j worth of gold was to be obtained from it. From a comprehensive sample of the lode formation, Mr McLean made a conservative estimate that it contained 20oz of gold to the ton. The gold was visible to the naked eye, and was worth &2 4s a ton. The stone was easilyworked. In the Edie Creek, specimens had boen found carrying 70 per cent, c* gold. Transport Difficulties. Mr McLean expressed the opinion that New Guinea a country, of enormous wealth. ' In addition to gold, prospectors were obtaining , platinum, osmiridium, copper, iron, and other : minerals. All that was wanted was the introduction of modern plant and methods of treatment. On top'of all this there were indications that the country was oil-bearing, and there was a possibility that petroleum would be struck any day. | Discussing the difficulties of prospectors, Mr McLean said that the entire absence of machinery made anything but the most primitive methods Impossible. Six aeroplanes were at present in use, carrying passengers, stores, and gold between the field and the sea, but they were unsuitable except for comparatively light loading. One company was obtaining from England a machine capable of lifting a ton deadweight, and another was contemplating purchase in Australia of a 'plane to uarrv 10001b. It would probably be possible, when these large machines were obtained, for them to carry to the field parts for the erection of a stamping battery. The future of the field to a great extent depended upon transportation by aeroplane. Magnificent Sheep Land. Mr McLean's report made it clear that the wealth of the country does not end at minerals. He stated that in the Upper Watut country, about 3000ft t above sea-level, he had found millions of acres of magnificent rolling downs and plains country, heavily grassed, permanently watered, and well drained. It was ideal for sheep-breeding purposes, and for pioneers of this industry in New Guinea there were enormous possibilities. The climate was dry, and the area carried vegetation similar to large tracts of sheep-breeding country in Queensland. It was a land where great variations in climate and drought were unknown. It presented the same appearance in mid-summer as in midwinter. The region had no flies, wild dogs, or pests of any kind.