GOLD IN JAPAN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 24 October 1901, Page 4

GOLD IN JAPAN.

Mr Consul Playfair, in a Foreign Office report on the trade of Hakodate for 19C0. says that the washing for, gold dust is being energetically carried on, and there is reason to believe that the utilisation of proper machinery will render it possible to work the gold mines of Hokkaido with fair success. Two foreign firms and a Japanese capitalist of Yakohama are reported to have decided on inviting experts from California. I learn from two foreign miners, who spent the greater part of last year at the mines in Esashi Province, ihat the output for the year will probably be somewhat less than in 1899, owing to stricter supervision. The gold is all surface-gold, obtained by washing. The labour is good and plentiful, and modern appliances are being adopted. The system hitherto in vogue whereby proprietors—for a small consideration—granted permits to all and sundry to work for themselves, is being done away with, and a great deal of harm was caused by ignorant workers, and damage done to the river, banks, etc. The mines are in (he hands of three or four proprietors, who are, however, making efforts to acquire as much more land in the vicinity as they can obtain. Fine timber is plentiful The greatest difficulty eccoun-crod is the severity of the Hoods. In July and August the rains are heavy, and rivers may rise four or five tect in a night; but fortunately they subside very rapidly. The season may bo said to last from April to October, after which dato tho weather is too severe for profitable work, Now, that the circumstances arc better understood, it is anticipated that better results will bo obtained.”