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Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1922, Page 2

In respect to the gold-dredging proposition at Rimu Flat, the particulars (.icon iu Ibis paper on Saturday of the latest clean-up would he read with very general interest. Apart from the record gohl-vield, erpial to £250 per day. the most striking feature was the met hanir.il perfection of the dredge itself, which over a period ol 12 working days, devoted iienilv ninety per cent of the time to actual dredging. The hist time within the period was under 31 hours, and <■(' this the major portion was carried through delays occasioned by large Iu alders. AA'ilhin the working period pisctica'ly 81.000 cubic yards of earth were handled, and the surface area (rented w-'s within a fraction of one aero. In gold dredging and mining generally, the results are governed in the main hv the actual ground (reeled. Be it more or less auriferous, it is iudispensilile to turn the ground over to get the results. In the dredging proposition at South Hokitika, the plant has been so improved, not to say perfected of late. that, for some time there has been a steady increase in the i-npne.ity work of the dredge. There is no doubt that this degree of perfection will solve the dredging emblem on the AA’est Const, lo the past it has been invariably the inadequacy of the dredges to cope with the ground. Low power, combined with a plant, unequal to the tight rod heavy nature of the ground has caused numerous failures. For actual dredging time returns have often hoeii voiy satisfying, hut numerous delays and hist time and heavy renewals, have so burdened Dm* expenditure side, that fee running power of the plant was not equal to the expenses. In the ease at Rimu Flat there is the very satisfying prospect that the fine dredge, so well equipped in every way and so economically and turn'utility worked, is proving equal to what it is called upon to do. and is giving results which are nt once satisfaclorv and establish the fact that dredging propositions are payable undertakings if the right plant is installed at the outset.

The Reform party will attempt to vpo.se ns the true Liberals, but as is ■minted out to-day in a thought for the times, nil the great legislation of the Liberal party w:i« in the hands of the man who had opposed it being put on the statute hook. In previous comment on the legislation of the past it lias been shown how ATr Massey and his leading followers of to-day strenuously opposed the Liberal policy, whether it was affecting the land, finnnoe t Hbm pomlitifinr rroyMffii for fjjjfl

aged, or extension of tho franchise. What Air Massey’s party has done in Parliament despite its great majority capable as it was in its abject docility of passing any legislation which the Prime Alinister brought forward, is not of an outstanding character. The Reform policy has lacked eonstiuctive action of legislation to promote general prosperity. In regard to finance, it is notorious how the count:y‘s position has been mishandled. Even proRefonn journals such as the Alercan‘tiife Gazette, the Auckland. Herald, the Dunedin Times; have all joined in chorus from time-to time, blaming Mr Alassey for his reckless disregard of the situation and despite the national outlook, going on with extravagant administration which has imperilled the credit of the country, and heaped on tho taxpayers a liability it will take many years of high taxation to liquidate. The financial burden which New Zealand has inherited from Reform methods of finance are in sharp contrast to the record of the Liberals when in office, or when controlling the finances during the coalition. If the eoutry realises when controlling the finances during the coalition. If the country realises the position at the present juncture it will seizo the opportunity for the desirable change.