9 Rivers of Gold
-
Edward Acton Cavanough
Abstract
When, in late 1568, Alverado Mendaña’s Spanish brigantine first set off from the north coast of Isabel to explore more of the archipelago, the conquistador had one aim in mind: finding gold. The story of Nuñez’s tentative proclamation of gold on Guadalcanal didn’t go unnoticed by those who colonised the archipelago some 250 years later. In the two decades before Japan’s successful invasion of the archipelago, British prospectors had turned their attention to the area, albeit unsuccessfully. But the British focused primarily on the development of an agricultural export economy, a logging industry, and the labour trade between its regional possessions, rather than on mining. The Gold Ridge project, in Liloqula’s view, was rife with issues, and exemplified how the normalisation of corruption had allowed poor projects to become established in Solomon Islands.
Abstract
When, in late 1568, Alverado Mendaña’s Spanish brigantine first set off from the north coast of Isabel to explore more of the archipelago, the conquistador had one aim in mind: finding gold. The story of Nuñez’s tentative proclamation of gold on Guadalcanal didn’t go unnoticed by those who colonised the archipelago some 250 years later. In the two decades before Japan’s successful invasion of the archipelago, British prospectors had turned their attention to the area, albeit unsuccessfully. But the British focused primarily on the development of an agricultural export economy, a logging industry, and the labour trade between its regional possessions, rather than on mining. The Gold Ridge project, in Liloqula’s view, was rife with issues, and exemplified how the normalisation of corruption had allowed poor projects to become established in Solomon Islands.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Map of Solomon Islands ix
- Milestones in the History of Solomon Islands xi
- Introduction 1
- I Island Universe 11
- 1 ‘Afuera! ’ 15
- 2 Jungle Road 25
- II Restive state 33
- 3 Running Aground 35
- 4 Manasseh of East Choiseul 49
- 5 Maasina Men 71
- III The switch 83
- 6 Devil’s Night 85
- 7 Escape from Adeliua 100
- 8 The Games 112
- 9 Rivers of Gold 120
- IV Rebellion 131
- 10 ‘No Need China!’ 133
- 11 Wuhan Window 148
- 12 Honiara Burning 165
- V Twisted iron 175
- 13 Seeking Protection 177
- 14 Red Line 188
- 15 Arc of Anxiety 201
- VI Where the North Road ends 211
- 16 Henderson Concession 213
- 17 East to Fataleka 225
- 18 Mustafa Rising 244
- 19 Making a Martyr 260
- Epilogue 271
- Notes 285
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Map of Solomon Islands ix
- Milestones in the History of Solomon Islands xi
- Introduction 1
- I Island Universe 11
- 1 ‘Afuera! ’ 15
- 2 Jungle Road 25
- II Restive state 33
- 3 Running Aground 35
- 4 Manasseh of East Choiseul 49
- 5 Maasina Men 71
- III The switch 83
- 6 Devil’s Night 85
- 7 Escape from Adeliua 100
- 8 The Games 112
- 9 Rivers of Gold 120
- IV Rebellion 131
- 10 ‘No Need China!’ 133
- 11 Wuhan Window 148
- 12 Honiara Burning 165
- V Twisted iron 175
- 13 Seeking Protection 177
- 14 Red Line 188
- 15 Arc of Anxiety 201
- VI Where the North Road ends 211
- 16 Henderson Concession 213
- 17 East to Fataleka 225
- 18 Mustafa Rising 244
- 19 Making a Martyr 260
- Epilogue 271
- Notes 285
