THE REPORTED GOLD DISCOVERIES AT NEW GUINEA.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 112, 25 July 1885, Page 5

THE REPORTED GOLD DISCOVERIES AT NEW GUI NEA.

We have received ample corroboration of the statement made in a previous issue that Kerry exhibited three rich specimens in Auckland in the beginning of Augustlast, which he declared he had found in New Guinea. This was shortly after the return of the " Age " expedition. Besides examining the specimens ourselves, they weresubmitted to Mr T. Morrin and others interested in mining. The statement cabled from Melbourne that Kerry was suspected of purchasing specimens in Launceston last February cannot certainly refer to these specimens. The following telegram relating to the proposed expedition, which has now bean abandoned, appears in the Sydney papers received per Te Anau : — •' The gold referred to yesterday as having been brought from New Guinea was the property of Kerry, one of the members of the 'Age' party, and experts^ are unanimous in their opinion that it is not; Australian gold, and that it had been broken from the cap of a reef. Kerry states that when the party were returning demoralised to the coast, he sat down on the edge of a creek to wash his feet while the others went on, and he then saw a pink-and-white quartz outcrop, from which, with a tomahawk, he knocked off pieces of the atone containing large masses of gold. The statement was believed here, and the requisite capital to send an exploring and prospecting expedition to New Guinea was subscribed within two hours. Major-General Scratchley has I given the company the requisite permission to prospect under certain conditions regarding the carriage of arms and good conduct." The <c Sydney Morning Herald says the specimens were communicated to it on the return of the " Ago " expedition, but the whole story was discredited. However, Kerry's statements met with a different recoption in Melbourne, and a syndicate to carry out another expedition was formed, " On the 2nd insfc. (says the " Herald ") a telegram from G. Moulder, Collins-street, Melbourne, was received by Captain Strachan (who commanded the "Age" expedition) asking him on what terms ho would join tho expedition ; and in reply to an inquiry on his part as to the nature of the expedition he was informed that the object was gold, and that he was required to lead in conjunction with others. Captain Strachan then wired that a professioaal engagement in Sydney prevented him from giving a definite answer, but on the following day he intimated that ho would not accept, and further stated that he had no faith in the story told in Mel bourne, and could prove it to be untrue. On Saturday last he received another telegraphic message, to the following effect :- 'Promoters confident; not imperative for you to believo ; required nautically, and if possible go over same ground; salary or lump sum ; if answer favourable will settle you finally Sydney on Tuesday ; reply immediately.' Captain Strachan then replied, naming his terms, and stipulating that his advice was to be taken as to equipment and arms ; and go the matter rests at present. We understand that Captain S>rachan is nob anxious ti join the expedition, as he has no faith in it* main object, and he believes that the Dtmgarra tribe, with whioh they had some little difficulty on the former occasion, will nob be so easily shaken off by any new expedition desirous of exploring nnd prospecting the same portion of Neu- Guinea." — •>

I/.vely Mooting of the Melbourne Share - holders. Particulars are to hand by the R.M.S. Zealanclia to-day of an important meeting of the "NewGuineaEvploring Company" held in Molbourue recently to consider tbo prosI pects ofUieCompanyandafFordir.gMrKorry, -healleged discoverer of gold in l\'e\v Guinea, an oppertunity of explaining coitain matters in regard to which tho shareholders were in doubt. In the courso of his explanatory romarks, the Chairman read an extract from a paper stating that Kerry had been identified as one H. Lord, who, on the 19th May last, purchased the nugget for £27 in Tasmania, taking delivery ot it here from a Melbourne firm, to whom ho paid £20, the other £7 having been paid by him in Launceston, His identity with Lord was further urged on account of certain tattoo marks on his wrist. Thic, said the Chairman, was the last thing they had heard about Kerry, aud it certainly was a most extraordinary statement. Telegrams were read from Mr H. Cooke, of the Bank of New Zealand, Newcastle, confirming a statement made by j Kerry that he had shown him the spoci- 1 mens on the voyage of the John Elder ! from Melbourne to Sydney about July last. Kerry, who was present at the meeting, was asked to produce the nugget, but said ib was at St Kilda. He was requested to proceed tlv ro with a gentleman and bring it, but professing indignation that his word had been doubted, first refused to go in the company of any one else, and then declined to go at all. The question was then raised whether they had puffioient evidence to support the prosecution of Kerry on the charge of endeavouring to procure money by means of false pretences. Kerry : I have not done so. The Chairman : Kerry hag had money from us. Mr Sabelborg, one of the shareholders, said that although Kerry might not have committed a statutory offence, ho might bo prosecuted under common law. It would be the duty of the directors to take steps to punish Kerry, or to give him an opportunity to whitewash himself. If he had deceived them, he should be made an example of. After some further discussion, Kerry eventually consented to go, but only on the condition that he should bo unaccompanied. The meeting adjourned for an hour, and at the expiration of that time Kerry had not returned. The discussion was renewod during his absence. Une of the directors said the Company should be wound up in a proper way. He might, however, mention a fact of come importance. It wag that on May 19th last, Kerry, to hid knowledge, received a cheque for £20, and on May 19th was the day upon which the man " Lord" paid £20 for a specimen of gold as already stated. The Chairman : And the man Lord has been identified as Kerry. Mr Sabelberg said Kerry had received the £20 in payment of expenses aa a witness in the Melbourne " Daily Telegraph " case. Mr Woolcott remarked that it seemed as if Kerry had hoodwinked the promoters, and if so, he should be punished, so as to make it a warning to othera. A long discussion then ensued, during which various re r olutions were put forward, some for an adjournment, and. further inquiry into Kerry's bona fides ; others that the Company be wound up, and that steps be taken to punish Kerry. While the discussion was m full swing, Kerry reappeared with a young man, who produced the nugget from his pocket. The friend, who refused to give his name, said he had known Keriy's people in New Zealand. The Chairman said the directors had called to Kerry's mother in Auckland asking if she had sent specimens to her son in Sydney, in March, an 4 the reply waB in the affirmative, £ Q rry, in reply to questions, denied Vftatbe ever represented hima^lf t& y& t w^ a

jeweller present declared^ that he { identified Kerry as Lord, and asserted that Kerry, had bought the nugget from Mr » Evans, of Tasmania, for, £27.' Kerry admitted that there were tatoo marks on his hands and wrists, and these marks were'said to correa-" pond with those seen on Lord. Also that he had been in Tasmania in January. The meeting then adjourned for a week, in order that legal advice might be taken. During the discussion, Mr Wakley , (late of Sandhurst) said he would be prepared to give £22 per share for all the 60 shares that were sold to the public, but the offer was not accepted.