GOLD IN FIJI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2596, 2 September 1909, Page 3

GOLD IN FIJI.

NEW ZEALAND CAPITAL INVESTED.

“If I am not vegy much mistaken, the next gold rush will bo at Fiji,” said Mr. Geocgetti, of Wanganui and Wellington, who returned rrom a trip to the South Sea Islands recently. It has been known that there is gold in Fiji for .a long time, but little lias been done up till quite Recently in prospecting for mineral wealth in The group, but as. Fiji lias become better known and more frequently visited by interested people from the outer world, the idea has struck root that there may be considerable deposits of nriipefao in sufficient quantities to give returns that may be more than merely payable. Prospecting has been retarded in the part by the non-existence of mining regulations, but this has at length been got ; over,, and the fact that very comprehensive regulations were issuetr by Hie Fijian'Government, which came into Operation on-June 10, is proof of the existence of reasonable hope that Fiji may. become a field for gold-mining operations in the not far-distant future; All This, and more,, was made, clear to .Mr/' Georgette' on: liis : fecenf - visit to Suva,-and wo-satisfied .was'lie' and those with him in The chalices ahead, that they decided to take up chares ill an alluvial mining proposition, which has secured, a considerable area of goldbearing land: .*'• 1 - • T In conversation with a “Dominion reporter, .M,r. Georgetti stated that the field was riot far distant from Suva, and was at arm’s .length from civilisation, as there was a sugar-rmilU within a couple of miles. The gold, was,, found in heavy dark grey , sand, from which it could be-panned off without trouble. He;, himself panned off‘a couple of.dishof sand;’ and- got gold in pin-head particles of ? a high-grade. quality. The syndicate, which intended to work'this deposit had traced and tested this lead for Ten miles’ , and ,had got an'average of 25dwts. to tliri cubic yard. Wheitf it was stated that the lead was 40ft deep, and that there was plenty of water _in the vicinity, the proposition, looks like “a good thing.” Gold-bearing,orq had also been discovered in Fiji, which was said to contain silver and copper after the manner of; that ,being mined at Broken Hill, and here again, was offered a nromising field for speculation if all said of it be true. According to Clause 14 of Tlio' Mining Ordnance- attached to the regulations, a prospectitig lidense continues in force for two years from the date of issue, and shall not be issued in respect of an area exceeding 10,000 acres. The area of land' to be leased for other than alluvial working is restricted to 320 acres, and the annual rent of such (when mined for precious metals) to be .5s per acre per annum. Is per acre when mined for coal. : The royalty to be paid, to the: State for gold Is Is per ounce.-