"The dredges," he says, "average over 100oz of gold per week each.
Natives are employed on the dredges as much as possible.
On our dredges we had three different tribes, all speaking distinct languages.
Each of the dredges carries five whites, and these for the most part are New Zealanders, who like the life.
They haven't got to work as hard as they do out here, the coolies being largely utilised for the rougher work.
The Kachin tribe is the one we have to deal with now.
They have driven the other tribes out of the hills into the lower part of the country - the Chinese out on their side and the Burmese out on theirs.
We get on with them very well.
They never quarrel with a man - they simply cut his head off.
The Kachins are a very fine race, and very honest.
In the Kachins' unadministered territory no white man has ever entered.
There are any amount of head-hunters yet, and they are only too happy to get hold of a white man's head."
• The Rev Mr Goertz, Anglican clergyman at Stewart Island, has been provided (says our Bluff correspondent) with an oil-engined boat of whaleboat pattern, in order that he may maintain communication with the outlying portion of his charge.
A considerable population has settled at the Neck and other parts of the inlet, and the Sunday services depended almost entirely on a chance opportunity of reaching them.
Now, however, weather permitting, these services will be assured. and in that way placed on a more established footing.
The mutton-bird islanders will likewise have the benefit of visitations. - ODT, 11.9.1909.
