The Mines Statement.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1922, Page 4

The Mines Statement.

(Hansard Parliamentary Report). Mr Seeldon (Westland).—Sir, as a member representing a mining district I Have to express regret that it is only after this discussion is over that mem-

bers can find out the actual position of affairs given out in the Mines Statement. As a member who is desirous of seeing what the gold yield for his district is this year 1. regret that we cannot see the Statement before the discussion takes place, with the result that to give a comparative history of the gold production of a district one has to look up the Mines Statement of the previous year. 1 wish to refer briefly to the production in my electorate last year, because, as the representative of the district, I have made certain requests to the Minister, urg, ing that the Department should set on foot a number of activities in regard to prosjicctiug, and in support of my request 1 desire to show what can be produced annually in our goldfields. Let us take the report of the period 1920-21:

“On the Kumara, Goldsborough, Stafford, and Callaghan’s fields the productions showed a slight improvement, a recovery of 1,,‘175 oz being reported, valued at £13,428. The principal producers were Morgan Bros (175 oz), Linklater (.332 oz), and lllnckmun (253 oz) at Stafford; Havill Bros (130 oz) at Callaghan's; Stubbs and Steel 1 132 oz) at Argus Terrace; R. Kean (151 cv’.) and the Holionu Diamond Terrace Sluicing Company (103 oz) at Greenstone.” On the Hokitika field there were mining operations at Rimu, and I will read this extract:—■

"It is now reported that the American investors who for some time past have been further testing the ground by means of Keystone drills and simtts have exercised their option, and intend to put a large modern dredge at work there. A new company is being formed in America in connection with the venture, and its representative is expected to arrive on the field early in the new year. As it is certain that a large amount of gold is in flic Rimu Flat, it is to lie hoped that a suitable plant will now he provided to enable it to he recovered. A few other claims produced gold to the total value of e.'f.Obb, the largest producers bring the Rimu Sluicing Company (391 oz) and Brookes and party (.230 oz) at Rimu.”

1 have read that extract from the Mines Statement of 1920 because the local bodies on the West Coast are anxious that the Mines Department shall .-end prospecting parties out into the field, and they have urged that the Department should subsidize these prospecting parties. The local bodies are showing their bona biles in the matter by subscribing a portion of the expense which will he incurred. Now, the Minister knows, and'everyone in - forested in milling knows, that some years ago the Government went to the expense of importing into this country a geological surveyor to start surveying tin- goldfields of Now Zealand, and he made certain valuable reports to (In- Department. But these repots will lie valueless unless prospecting parties are sent out into the hills where it is indicated in the reports gold may be found. There should lie co-ordination between the discoveries made by these parties and the contents of the reports. We have urged the despatch of these parties for some time past, and 1 believe that the Minister is now of the opinion that such parties should lie' subsidized by the Government, the local bodies also, finding a share of the cost. If this proposal is put into operation a groat deal of good will result. We have only to read the reports from which I have quoted to find that there is gold still to be won on the West Coast goldfields. There is no more pathetic sight than our mining towns which were once prosperous centres, lint where the population now lias diminished until there is only a handful of miners left ; but we are <1 uito sure that if scientific prospering operations were conducted, and the results of the geological reports made use of, there would lie a revival of the mining industry. There is a report in the Mines Statement of last year upon a venture undertaken on behalf of an American syndicate on the Rimu Flat. I am pleased to lie able to report , as member for the district—and presumably this is a matter which will he discussed in the Statement now presented

to the House—that that venture has proved a wonderful success. This is the first occasion on which electricity has been applied to dredging operations, and, as this is a pioneer venture in this respect, 1 feel sure that the Department will assist in every possible way similar ventures wherever they are undertaken in other parts of the Dominion. I understand that the American firm, having done so well on the Hiimi Flat, are contemplating the erection of another dredge, so as to more speedily utilize all the land at their disposal ; and if this is done and success attends their efforts I feel sure that in the future we will find gold Icing produced every year hy dredges driven by electric power. It is difficult for me to anticipate the contents of the report about to lie presented, hut: I feel sure that the report will state that the gold yield on the West Coast has not diminished. If the Minister will agree to the proposals inncte hy the local bodies mud send out these prospecting parties 1 feel sure that He Mines Statements of the future will record greater increases than ever in the gold yields. \ have no coal mines in mv electorate and therefore T cannot speak on behalf of any coal miners, hut I want to point out to the Minister that nt present the. popular method of winning coal is by co-opera-tive parties working the deposits. Near the State mine at Grey month there are several of these parties at

work. The Minister knows of their activities. It seems to me to he a right and proper thing that a number of men should get together and develop the coal deposits in tin’s way. One of these co-operative parties consists of returned soldiers. T am sure that there is no such thing as a “go slow”

policy when a co-operative party is working. The activities of these parties have, I believe, been successful. 1 knew several of these parties personally, and I would urge upon the Minister that 'where the operations of such parties are not going to interfere with those of the State lie should (iicourage them in every possible way. 1 lee! sure that he will do so.