Prospecting in Westland

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1922, Page 1

Prospecting in Westland

! A meeting of the Prospecting Committee set np from the Local Bodies Conference, met at the County Chambers last evening. There were present: Messrs D. J.'Evans (voted to the chair) H. LA. Baticke, T. W. Bruce, A. Aitken, E. A. Wells and H. Jones. The Chairman explained the object of the meeting, and read the correspondence spilt by the Minister of Mines, through Mr Seddon ALP*, relating to the revised Government offer of a subsidy for ££ for ~£l. The Chairman fur tlior explained that the appeal for contributions had met with a fair response. Some twenty persons or firms had agreed to contribute the promised contribution of £4 at the rate of £1 per month, and with other money in sight from a moribund prospecting association, about half the money required £IOO. from the local contributors was available. It was thought that the remaining funds would he collectable on a personal appeal. The meeting proceeded to discuss various aspects of the scheme. The opinion was expressed that the men employed prospecting Under the Government supervision should he paid the regular tate of wages prevailing, and in respect to any finds made should he given a prior right to peg out an extended claim under the Mining AH. The provisions of the Forests Act were referred to as over-riding mining rights and the opinion was expressed that the matter was important enough to bring under the notice of the Mines Department for clear rectification to ensure gold-mining not being hampered by the forestry policy. In regard to any actual prohibition under the Forests Act, it was thought the Alines Department officials, who would lie in charge of the prospecting operations, would be able to surmount any suggested legal difficulties very quickly, and that in the event of an important gold discovery taking place within the area of a State forest, the requisite stops to secure the land for operation under the 'Mining Act would he taken, as also the right of the miners, to take up residence areas, business sites and other privileges, and to use all timber required for mining operations. To enforce j anything less would stifle the gold-min-ing industry and be also a retrograde step in this alluvial territory. After a general discussion in which | it was explained that by subscribing j £2OO locally the district would receive | the benefit of tbe expenditure of £l.- J 200 in prospecting for gold which was j believed to exist in various parts of Westland, and the find thereby estab- j lishing the belief of the mineral de- j posits generally, held and expressed, the Chairman moved that the prospect- ! mg project l)e proceeded with as quick- j l.v as possible, and the Minister of j Alines asked for particulars of the Go- j vernmont scheme, and if considered ! advisable liv the Department, to send ) an officer to discuss details with the j committee with regard to suitable localities for operations, particulars of employment, remuneration etc., for the working party or parties. Air Wells seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Messrs .Tones, Bruce and Evans were appointed a sub-committee to complete the canvass of the town, and Mr Baucko for the Kanieri-Rimu district, j for the remainder of tlic subscribers I needed, to finance tho local contribution. The mooting then adjourned sine die.