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Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1921, Page 2

Titf, problem of the Coromandel-Ohine-nmri goVl-fields. referred to recently bv the Minister of Minos, is the usunl problem of continuance of payable gold fit depth, says the “Evenino Post.” , As minin'/ goes deeper on the rich narrow reefs of Thames and Coromandel, and even on the wider low-grade bodies of Ohinemnri, the ore becomes less valuable, its working more costly. This is generally true of all the richest patches.

The Thames flat which was a mine of wealth in the seventies, would be worth unwatering at depth (even at heavy working cost) if the reefs anywhere showed convincing evidence in the lower levels, but tho speculation fails to attract capital proportionate to the expenditure involved. Latterly some attempt has been made to prospect in a less expensive way—by driving hillward instead of sinking further below sea level. This is the venture sympathetically referred to by the Minister of Mines, whose hopeful* remarks are the echo of those of his predecessors for the last thirty years. Apart from the Thames flat, the extensive hinterland prospecting is proceeding, and possibly it will unearth some good surface shows, as it lias done on several occasions in the nineties since. But the problem will still he survival of values at depth—a survival rarely accomplished. It is pleasing to glean the foregoing from a. northern, contemporary, and to realise that the old gold-mining spirit is still virile n the North Island. The quest for deeper gold is a natural sequence on every gold-field as the first finds are worked out. We have the feeling here and the desire to seek further below, hut enterprise is crippled for the want -of capital, just as money is lacking to seek out the matrix in the high-hack country. We are hopeful

that the rather wonderful new discovery in the Ndrtherh Grey district will Stimulate prospecting generally, and no doubtns prices drop, there will be the desire, to agaiiy fake up prospecting actively. The Mines Department could help very greatly by issuing a precis of the geological reports, and indicate localities where prospecting would ho worth while. Booklets and advice of all kinds are available for the settlor, the ftVrmet', tho tOurist, and goodness knows who, hut the miner so profitable to the community with his rich discoveries in the past, is not similarly catered for. Were he so entered for the future might witifess early discoveries of great importance to the development of the country, and the effort is well worth cultivating.

With the exhaustion of public money for the time being, and the cessation, of work on all sides swelling the ranks of the unemployed, and which ranks are added to weekly now by the arrival of English emigrants, the demand for work grows; The Ministers are busy saving that unemployment is not acute yet, but unfortunately there are many thousands of people who have not a very bright outlook for the winter

months, and would be glad of a secure berth. Mr Massey had a certain amount of prescience when speaking in the House during tho late session, lie advised every man “to stick to his job.” The trouble is that the job is not going to stick to the man. Jn many of the centres liundi'eds of people are losing their jobs, and unemployment is growing more and more rife. The other day a credible' statement was given out that the Government were starting unemployment camps, but this was promptly denied ministerially However, the statement was at the worst only premature, for it seems to be wellknown that the Government has issued instructions to provide work for the unemployed where all efforts in other directions fail. The Public Works and Forestry Departments are to co-operate in the business of finding the jobs. It is understood that those are to lie on co-perative lines, and the wages, it is interesting to note, are to he based on an earnng power rate of IDs and Pis per day. This is ui drop on the ruling rate, without a material fall in the cost of living being noticeable, but • probably the Government believe the latter drop to be- at hand. Only oil that assumption can the rate of pay be justified. It will be interesting to see how the scheme will work out and on what works of utility the men will he employed.