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Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1923, Page 2

The wheels of departmental machinery move slowly, bill at lasi another move lias been made wiib regard to the proposed scheme for prospecting in the district. At the meeting on Moiulay night a locality was definitely decided upon. The right of confirmation rests with the Mines Department which is contributing £2 for £1 of the cost involr. The Mananui Flat south of Rimu Fiat bus been selected for the initial operations. When it is borne in min! that during last month the dredge mi Rimu Flat won some 1.500 ozs of gold and that Mananui Flat so ndj i > >nv has hitherto not been tried in the “run" of the Rimu workings, the prospect--, suggest- the locality is worth while. Between Rimu and Totara. there has I can something of an alluvial blank back from the beach lead workings, and as the country is adjacent and handy, and thereby reached with a minimum of inconvenience, the location has attractions worth pursuing. The promised operations will be confined at the outset to one or two shafts, and subsequent work will depend on the result of the preliminary shafting. Tt i- *at-i-fiu'-VTv l;- find Ana .he piosp.-'ting

is to lie done under the eye of an experienced officer of ‘tie Mines I apartment. The geological features of the country operated upon can thus 1 e analysed as the work proceeds, and valuable information may he derived accordingly. The flat proposed to he operated upon is a large a tea, and is said to he of a very promising character. Recently an experienced miner traversed portion of the Fiat and formed the opinion that a trial of the ground was well worth proceeding with. It is not expected that the ground will he unduly deep or heavy, and not seriously wet. The undertaking is out? which might mean a good deal to the future of the district, and it is to be hoped flint encouraging prospects will be encountered I: out the outset. so that so promising an alluvial area might have a good te-t under the fs- ; ouiahle allspices now offering.

With regard to the poll io he taken on Friday week in reference to the Borough loan pioposaL it is dm to tlio rntepavo's that tim councillors piomoting the n< lion should give the public as minli information on the matter as pesr.ihlt'. li is cii-tnmriy loi a public meeting to lie enlivened m regard to such matters, and such a step is desirable on this if the Punned is in earnest in promoting the loan scheme. There is also the fact that such a ing would assist iti stimulating an inlet est in civic affairs generally and siieh an awakening could not he oi any harm to the community. It is a rouirring complaint that nowadays the same degree of interest is not displayed in municipal matters as was once ihe case. The disi csi'ieu to leave public duties to the willing ones is too fre<|UenU' the position. But if a reriiriemv ol the old spirit could he aroused it would lie of value to the community as a whole. The Conned is exactly what, the ratepayers themselves mould. The choice is theirs, and unless the personal interest is amused. I lie ilidifleri'itee which results is not ol public advantage. This year, we have endeavoured to make plain, is a year ol special opportunity. providing the enm.meneeincut for what will lie a new era. The proposals to improve the town are being brought forward at a very seasonable stage. The cost of the loan can be met by the hotter eircumstuncos of the place, while the result of the expenditure will add to the general welfare and betterment of the town All the siime. it would he Well to have aspects put forward ’u a public wav hv the Council. b\ the members who will he responsible for the expenditure. To win the confidence and the approval of the ratepayers member* must show their own enthusiasm, and hi their lead create that degree of public interest which "ill ensure the loan poposids being received favorable bv the people as a Whole