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Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1919, Page 2

The Mining Conference which concluded yesterday marked a new stage in the history of gold-mining in the district. The resolutions reached by the Conference, if given favourable consideration bv the Government, will mark the end of the languishing period under which the industry has grown somewhat stagnant. From what the Mini. sl<;r of Mines has said both publicly and in a confidential way to the deputation which waited on him last night, he has the interests of the industry at heart, and has in his own mind, the complete idea to foster the industry on j lines not much at variance with many I of the proposals put forward by the | Conference. The Conference itself is I only to be a milestone on the way, . for from the gathering is yet to grow ! not only tho reviving Mining AssociaI tions, but, also, an Institute of Min- , ing. This is a stop decidedly in tho right direction. Every industry or cnter- ! prise must have constant and careful attention. It cannot ho left to run itself. So with mining interests, they need to he stressed and kept in the forefront if they arc not to be overlooked. Tho delegates who attended the Conference showed that there has been

a dormant interest in the industry all the time. It just required waking up. Awake now to the posiuoii turn taking confidence each from the other, the delegates on returning to tneir own localities should lose no time in restarting the Miners Associations, so that local interests will be fostered, and being fostered will by their magnitude and importance become general interests.

Advance Westland. There are many efjgns that' Westland is progressing, and advancing rapidly. The growth of settlement and the increase in pro-

. . o very tangible signs of the improving situation. Tho event which took place yesterday in the Lake Kanieri district was very complementary to the Mining Conference which had just risen. Here was a very important mining enterprise setting out on its career and promising great success. Mr David Ziman is a very energetic promoter of the mining interests and his record in this country—in fact on this Coast—speaks for itself. It is very fortunate for the place that, he has been attracted to this immediate neighbourhood, and very solid proof was to be seen yesterday of the enterprise he is responsible for. Sir Ziman is opening a new goldfield and is spending thousands of pounds to equip• the field for foil operation. A service, road for a considerable distance has been pushed into the forest, to tap the back terrace which has proved to be gold bearing. Several hundred acres of milling and timber wil be tapped by this route, so that in addition to mining, sawmilling will go hand in hand. The Syndicate of which All Ziman is the managing director has displayed its confidence in a proposition of considerable magnitude. Operating as they have.done during the period of the war, with labour scarce and material and supplies costly, the Syndicate had to face a very considerable proposition, hut judging by the reports the enterprise is fully warranted, and it is to be hoped the good wishes expressed yesterday in regard to the project are likely to be fulfilled. Again we say advance Westland.