MINING ENTERPRISE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1921, Page 2

MINING ENTERPRISE.

JIOHONU PROPOSITION ORGAN- . ISED AT HOME.

MR T. HAMER’S SUCCESS. Messrs I’ark and Murdoch, solicitors, I Hokitika, are in receipt of the folnving cabled message from Mr Thomas lamer, of London: — •‘Re Holfoim proposition; Preliminary work of organising Company now completed. Working capital j lias been underwritten. How soon S will you lie able to advertise for tenders to complete water supply.” The foregoing refers to a large minng enterprise across the Teremakau •iver from Kumara in the Grey County. M r Hamer is well known in the district. He was for many years chief and confidential Private Secretary to the late Richard John Seddon, and was afterwards Under-Secretary for Mines in the Dominion, and later was in the High Commission’s Office in London Mr Hamer lieeame associated with various mining ventures, principally in the Auckland district. Afterwards lie turned his attention to the West Coast of which he had a good general knowledge. A few months ago he visited New Zealand, and spent a few weeks on the (’cost. Prior to his advent he had taken in hand matters relating to the Hohonu proposition, and came to this district specially to inspect the work. His investigations were v&ry satisfactory, backed as they were by several reliable reports, including a very favourable report from Captain A. IT. Richards. Just at this stage the demise. of a principal at Home led tcT Mr Hamer’s urgent recall to London, and negotiations were for the time being held up. In the meantime, the matter was not lost sight of, and Messrs Park and Murdoch were in touch with Mr Hamer by letter and cable for some time past. Additional particulars were forwarded to London in regard to prospecting and cost of works, and the final outcome is the receipt of the cable message above, notifying wliat is practicaly the successful flotation of the enterprise. The proposition embraced in the Holionu proposal is a very considerable one. It is hydraulic gold mining on an I extensive scale. The first essential is an efficient and permanent water supply and to complete this the cost will run into five figures. What is known as the Hohonu water-race*is partly conxtructed already. At present there are some seven miles of good race made. ,It is necessary to construct a further nine miles of water race to the Hohonu river, when a permanent water supply will he assured by gravitation. A s to the alluvial terraces to be treated, the locality is known to be highly auriferous from the earliest days of the Coast, but the want of water to work the elevated ground has been the hindrance to development. The flats and creek beds were worked by dredging with much success, the yield of gold being considerable. AVitli a good supply of water, it will be possible to work the terraces on a. large scale, and there are great facilities for operating in a big way. There is both ample fall and plenty of tailings room. The project will thus be a very considerable one. It is taking shape at a eery opportune time in the industrial market, as it should he possible to secure very efficient labour just now lor the undertaking. There will he room for a considerable number of workmen, as the constructional works of the head race can be carried out in different sections. Dividing the work up in this way will also enable it to proceed so much more quickly, so that altogether the enterprise promises well for the immediate benefit of the district, as also for the ultimate success of the undertaking. Messrs Park and Murdoch, who have been closely identified with this venture for some time past, will use every expedition in successfully launching the work on behalf of their London principles.