GOLD IN THE SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 8

GOLD IN THE SOUTH

RENEWED INTEREST IN MINING

COMMENTS BY THE MINISTER

The Minister of Mines (the Hon. G, J Anderson) has returned to Wellingtoi after a visit to the mining districts o Otago and Southlari‘l. He was presen at the celebration of the sixtieth anni versary of the Gabriel’s Gully rush a Lawrence, and subsequently he visite, some of the coal mines of Southland. H has arranged to go to the West Coas next week in completion of his first. Min isterial inspection of New Zealand’ mines.

The gathering at Lawrence, said th) Minister yesterday, was one of exception al interest. Forty-five of the. origina band of gold-diggers attended as Ml guests of ihe town. and exclulngei reniinisce.nces and revived memories The youngest, of them was aged 75 years he had been a boy of fifteen when In went to the gold diggings with hi. father. The oldest of the veterans claim od 92 years—and he joined with his olc mates in planning to make a big affa.il of the seventieth anniversary in 1931. The Minister mentioned that there an indications in the south of renewed in terest in gold-mining. Sc’hcmes for work ing over some of the old ground, an< for starting alluvial working at ney points are being discussed, and it n vloar enough that there is still gold n Otago. One farmer is making gooc. money by sluicing away the fields that he has 'farmed for very many years. There will not be any farm when hj has finished, but a large amount of gold will have been won. It is stated that there is gold to be got by further operations nt Gabriel’s Gully, in spite oi the intensive mining that has already proceeded at this famous spot. The tailings contain gold, and new sluicing openflions could go deeper than (he old. workings. While on ihe West Coast the Munster will have an opportunity to vls it the new reef recently discovered near Reef" ton The reports on this reef are still verv promising. The gold-bearing quartz has been traced definitely for a distance of alxmt two miles, and some very rich specimens have been secured. But the reef has still to be proved by sinking shafts, and in the meantime the experts are disposed to be cautious in their statements on the subject. Mr. Ciiderson’s attention has called to the fact that the nearest pout to Wellington where a miner’s right can lw secured is Picton. This arrangemert is not considered satisfactory, and. th! Minister is going to make miners’ rights available in this city.