The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5th, 1921. Successful, GOLD DREDGING.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, OCT. sth, 1921. Successful, GOLD DREDGING.

; It imiHt have boon vi'i'y gratifying tu tj-.i;• readers yesterday to learn . „f tlio sm-eess attending the gold dredging operations liy the American financed eompany at ltimn Hat. ihere ! had I iron high exportations formed as 1 ta the prospects of this important venI tlire, and those expectations hid fair to ! be well realised. Briefly, the new 1 dredge in a comparatively short time . has handled some 25,000 cubic yards of alluvial ground and the return at the

present price of gold is about nine pence per cubic yard. At the normal value of gold tile return is equal to sevenpence per cubic yard. These are • payable prices, assuming that the dredge is able to work continuously—that is without undue delays or stoppages. This the machine promises to do. The returns secured are. it is satisfactory to note, equal to piusperting results. 1 lie present scheme or method "of dredging suggests that the successful dredging of our rough auriferous Oats in Westland which should be equal in alluvial value to that of Kimu Flat, and time alone will he necessary to sec the style of gold-mining referred to come into general piaclirc. ’1 he promise of this development suggests ;.t one.* what has often been expressed as . possible sequence, that cheap power provided by hydro-electric development v, 1 11 revive gold-mining on the Coast , again. The deep leads, tin* heavy mu- j tcrial of Hats and river beds arc ill 1 possible of development, if the power is available for the purpose, so in this possible expansion of gold mining ill 'e ■ is an incentive to utilise natural resources to he available of by harnessing j adjacent rivers and lakes to recover the J treasure nature lias deposited up and j down the golden Most Coast. I hose who were ready to inter that the golden age had passed, will now _ require In revi-e tlu-ir eiiinions. for the success being demonstrated at South Hokitika indicates that in gold dredging the Coast will enjoy an entirely new |oa-o of life. ■ The elements leading up to this success were the thoroughness with which the preliminary prospecting was done, ami the complete organisation which has marked the ':|i;ipinent ot ticmachine capable of dealing with tin gjouud. '1 lies? facts rimoxe any suggestion of a gamble ill gold-milling, as it is mi often described as being. With (are and forethought the venture F a stable undertaking, and as indicated in this instance, the returns are found ti equal the prospecting results. It is known that there is good ground ahead—some very rich. Better returns from time to time will be secured, bi t it is the average which counts in the final result. The fact that the area is rough, is an indication of the better alluvial ground, hut this fact also tests the machine. tin- conditions, these difficulties ran lie provided for. ;rml it would appear that tile spcc.il circumstances have I icon admirably met in the present operations Under review Those directly associated with the nrga'nisation of the enterprise have every reason to he gratified with the results which hear out so pleasingly the conlidence they showed in the venture from the very outset. The affirmative proof afforded will he of mutual satisfaction to the community at large who have watched the undertaking in every phase of development, and who now lmiv regard the great scheme as an accomplished fact securing the future of gold dredging in this district.