WESTLAND COUNTY MINING CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1919, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY MINING CONFERENCE.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15.

A meeting of Mining delegates was held at the County Chambers yesterday at 3 p.m. to' discuss mining matters. There were' present: — Messrs T. W. Duff (Westland County Council) voted to the Chair, D. McConnon (Kumara district), H. ABauhke and A O’Hallofan (Rimu district),’ T. Move (Ross district), T. W. Bruce, D. J. Evdns arid 1 Capt Richards (Chamber of Commerce). Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs G. A. Perry, W. J. Bu'tler (Hokitika), and J. Rochford (Kumar a.)

PROSPECTING AT DILLMANSTOWN. Mr Evans stated that a Mines officer Who had visited the lately expressed, a hope that the work begun ’by the Westland Alining Conference in May last might be followed up, and bad suggested that some practical , work be, undertaken to further the industry, in the district. Two proposals had been mentioned, one of which was a deep level shaft in the Kumara district.

Mr McConnon, as one in charge of the deep level prospecting at Dilljnanstown in years gone by, said a find of gold had been located below Dillmaiis head, but before it could be proved fully, the channel had collapsed and the Work had been abandoned. Air AlcConnon gave particulars of what had been, and a'hsWered several questions in regard to the operations.

After a general discussion it was resolved that the Alines Department be urged to sink a fresh shaft near where the old channel had fallen in, and when the wash was reached to drive and ascertain its extent and value; pointing out that previously a layer of wash had been found and the prospects then obtained justified the present proposal being recommended favorably. It was mentioned, also, that it would be worth while to sink through the layer of reef which formed the bottom previously touched, and ascertain what was below. The question whether this further effort should be by shafting or the Keystone drill, to be left to the Department to decide.

PROSPECTING BIMU-TOTARA DISTRICT. As to the second proposal for prospecting, the suggestion has been made that a party should be sent out to test, the alluvial country between Rimu aud Totara goldfields.

Mr Baucke mentioned a site near the head of Frosty Creek, as suitable, and read the following explanatory paper on a previous effort in that locality : “About* twenty-three years ago, when there was a Aliners’ Association at Rimu, that Association invited applications from prospectors, and three of us, R. Hamilton, H. Hartke, and myself, went out and selected a site in a flat about four miles southeast from Rimu, and about two miles east from the Ross road, where we sank a shaft. At the depth of 135 feet, we struck four feet of wash bearing an encouraging prospect. We reported this to the Chairman of the Association, who came out and took twelve dishes from all over the heap, which he told us gave a result equal to a penny-weight and a, haR to the yard. Asked if we should drive on that, lie said.“No, sink oii till yon get a defined bottom.” We sank on to the depth of 169 feet, when we struck the Brighton bottom and water. We then came up and drove on the wash we had sunken through. We drove south-east about 12 feet, and north-west about 15 feet, but got no improvement ; indeed we could only make very slow progress at that depth. I then suggested to the Chairman, Air F. Clark, that we should go to the westward to where the surface falls till we got about 100 feet sinking, and sink again, but he said the funds of the Association were exhausted, and he could do no morel There it lias remained ever since. 1 consider it a good prospecting proposition to run off surface to the westward till 100 feet sinking is reached and sink again, but it requires substantial fnnds.”

The' meeting considered the suggestion worth following up, and it was resolved to suggest the site for operations by. a Government prospecting party. Mr Baucke' mentioned that since he had worked in the locality the place had been denuded of timber which wate a serious matter. MINING LEALETS.

It was resolved to suggest to the Mines Department that leaflets giving information in a concise form of the geographical reports affecting the Kumara to Totara goldfields should be prepared and circulated for public information.

Mr Bruce pointed out that a paper giving the relative value of gold to-day compared with ten and twenty years ago, would be of great public interest.

PROSPECTING SUBSIDIES. The question of suggesting an increase in the rate of prospecting Subsidies owing to the higli prices for plant' and material, was discussed, and some remarkable increases in the cost of tools, etc., were mentioned. In considering the schedule of prosepcting rates, it was pointed out the present subsidy would not pay the cost of the plant. It was resdlved to ask that the subsidies he revised in the light of present prices, and be not less than double the present rates, plus the late increase of 30 per cent. PROSPECTING TRACKS.

Captain Richards and Mr BrtUcke both mentioned that prospecting parties would be visiting the Wilber'force country this season. It whs explained if a rock bluff were removed it would bo possible to take pack horses right through to Canterbury by the Wilber'force route, which would be a great boon to prospectors ,in getting in supplies, tools etc. It was resolved to ask for a. vote of £4OO to make the track passable for packing. Mr Moye mentioned that reefing was developing in the Totara district, and it was necessary to open a track up Farmers Creek to Bald Hill range, where A. Zala had located a reef which had not been developed. A party of prospectors was ready to go into the country this

season if access were made. It was decided to apply for a vote of £IOO to open a prospecting track. THE PRICE OF GOLD. Mr Baucke referred to various matters on behalf of the Rimu Miners Association, and a discussion ensued on llio price of gold, ft was stated that it was a matter for the gold producers to get together, and act for their own protection, the Government hot being prepared to act. Mr Baucke said it was contemplated getting into touch with i the; Gold Producer’s Association in Aus- , tralia and Singapore, and arrange for united action. GENERAL. . The following further motions suggested from Rimu were adopted:— That, the Department be urged to frame legislation exempting ffom rent and taxes mining properties which are being prospected in a bonafide manner, and that a rebate be granted on the payment of rents as allowed in agricultural leases . That to induce prospecting in high country, and to save expense and loss of time, prospectors b 6 allowed to take up 100 acre claims at an altitude of 2000 feet and over for prospecting purposes, without first having to obtain a grant from' the Court. That the State provide a portable battery for prospectors to' prove quartz : lodes. That ample timber reservations for i mining purposes be provided throughout W estlandThat the conditions for rewards for new goldfields or for a continuation of a former goldfield, be made moie attractive to encov.i age the prospecting spirit. The meeting concluded at 5 p.m., with a vote of thanks to the cliair.