PROSPECTING FOR GOLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19720, 10 December 1926, Page 7

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD

where might rules THE NEW GUINEA HELDS BAD CONDITIONS FOB MINERS LITTLE CHANCE FOR NEWCOMERS By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 9. After a delay of several weeks caused by the breakdown of the wireless plant at Morobe, the 4 ‘ Daily Guardian ’ publishes a radio message from the Bulolo goldfields. New Guinea, stating that as the result of an official proclamation that they were not allowed to seek gold on the leases held by a syndicate known as the 41 Big Four,” about 70 miners or 90 per cent, of those left on the field invaded the leases and washed gold. The police watched the proceeding? and took the men’s names. The gold was afterwards lodged at the warden’s office and the miners requested Mr Coates to hold an official inquiry regarding the leases they had invaded. The message states that great privation exists on the field, and there is much sickness among both whites and native. Two whites died on route and others died on the field. The jumping nf claims is rife while the owners a»c absent in. search of food and labour. Native labour is scarce and exorbitant figures are paid to secure the natives requires for transport work.

Ths miners have also radioed a message tc in'ending gold-seekers that the chances of those leaving the coast for the field are now almost hopeless, .adding that they will hang on till their grub stakes arc exhausted and then must go or be carried out broken financially and in health.