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Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1922, Page 2

The movement at Hohonu where an English company is going to undertake mining operations, is another reminder that the industry is still of sufficient importance to attract outside capital, even if the Dominion Mines Department and the people themselves are lukewarm on the) subject of a mining revival. The company to work at North Teremakau will have to lay out considerable capital before it can win gold. The race first to be constructed is a major undertaking and is likely to cost not less than £6,000. This will represent manual labor employed, and at the moment this is very opportune as a means to relieve the general unemployment, which threatens to be prevalent. The enterprise at the North Teremakau is said to be a very promising one, and .it is to be hoped it will prove as satisfactory to those engaged in the venture as the gold dredging proposition isi on Rimu Flat. The fact that these undertakings are turning out satisfactory will be an inducement to other ventures being brought forward, and it is possible in a region such as Westland impregnated with gold, that important finds will result. There is need certainly for definite prospecting operations in the back country. It is a. reproach that this task is for so long neglected. The country a few years ago was pledged to a mining development policy, and a beginning was made Tvhen Dr Bell was imported to specially direct the work. For a- very unfortunate cause, the policy was dropped just as the preliminary work was finished. The Government-ilid nothing to verify the findings of the geologist scientists, the back country specially to report on possibilities. This work remains to be done, and it requires to be undertaken scientifically. Just as the exploring geologist brought to his aid all the knowledge science afforded in regard to the contents of the/ country, so the prospector should be a man with scientific knowledge reading the signs about him, and unearthing treasures which might be revealed only to those with the expert knowledge.' This is the cardinal need in regard to state prospecting and if attempted might reveal untold wealth and bring to New Zealand another golden era of outstanding prosperity.