THE GOLD DISCOVERIES AT NEW GUINEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5319, 13 April 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GOLD DISCOVERIES AT NEW GUINEA.

The Port Moresby correspondent of the Brisbane Courier, writing under date Sth February, says :—“I have made all possible inquiries about the reported gold discovery in New Guinea, and learn as follows :—The first specimen was found by a native of New Caledonia, called Jimmy Caledonia, who, I understand, has had experiences on diggings in’ New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Queensland. Jimmy Caledonia did notinform Mr. Goldie of the discovery until four months afterwards, his object being to carry the news to Queensland himself. Mr. Goldie is a collector of plants for an English firm of horticulturists, and has no knowledge whatever of mining affairs. He informed me that, on being told by Jimmy that he imagined gold to exist at the Ealobrie, ho took his party inland to obtain further information, and that they wore absent about a month, during which time they obtained the specimens forwarded to Sydney. Jimmy Caledonia’s account is as follows :— ‘ I have had considerable experience at various diggings, and was for some time a mate of Mulligan’s, while prospecting the country \yhioh led to the discovery of the Hodgkinson. I found the first specimen which I thought contained gold at the junction of the Lalobrie and a river (which Mr. Goldie has since named the Goldie),, while inland with the'E6v. W. Lawes and Mr.

Goldie. About four months afterwards the , Bertha, schoouor, arrived, and as some of the 1 crew were going inland with a view to prospecting, I thought it advisable to iuforra -Mr. Goldie that I had fuuud a specimen which I believed contained gold. Mr. Goldie then went inland with me to obtain further information. I prospected the bed of the river wherever practicable, and obtained the specimens which Mr. Goldie forwarded to Sydney. All the quartz specimens are from boulders found in the river bed. Wo did not succeed in finding the source of the river, nor did we Bud any of rhe reefs from which the boulders have come.’ .From the above it will, he seen that there is nothing whatever to justify diggers in leaving Queensland, as the specimens obtained are inferior to the prospects which may be obtained in almost auy river of Northern Queensland. It has long been the opinion of geologists and others that New Guinea is au auriferous country, and the specimens forwarded merely bear out this theory, while the work of tiudiug a goldfield yet remains to be done. I would further caution storekeepers and others to be very careful in sending any large quantity of goods to Port Moresby, even should auy goldfield he discovered in the locality mentioned by Mr. Goldie, as, from the conformation of the country, I am of opinion that a more suitable port may yet be discovered ; and I should be excessively sorry to witness a repetition of Bowen and Townsville, and of Cairns and Island Point. Jimmy Caledonia is well known here as an intelligent man, I and vvell up in mining.” The Sydney Echo says :—“ It seems that, notwithstanding all the cautions which have been given, some twenty-five persons have decided to risk the chance of finding gold, with all its attendant dangers, in New Guinea. The schooner Colonist will leave Circular-quay to-morrow, in all probability, for Port Moresby. The number of men mentioned go as passengers by her, and have provided' themselves with provisions and outfit, paying £l2 each for their passage-money. There seems to be no organisation about the party. They have associated themselves in small numbers, five or ten mating together, and they have laid in provisions to the extent of about Scwt. each man. No horses are

taken—no boat, cutter, or steam launch is provided ; they will be landed at Port Moresby, and there they will have to shift for themselves. They seem hopeful and confident of success, and it remains to be seen how far their expectations will be fulfilled. We understand that the Colonist will take about twentyfive men more from Cooktown, bound on the same expedition.’'