The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, MARCH 16th, 1923. MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, MARCH 16th, 1923. MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Tub fleeting visit of the Mi tester of Mines is now history, and very btief history. It is to be regretted that these periodical visits ol the Minister to a region teeming with mineral wealth as we are told so often, should not only be curtailed to the extent they are, but also that in his travels the Minister should touch only the fringe of the district. Westland is a terra incognita to most of the Ministers who know only of its qualities by a visit to its Capital town. It is to be deplored that Ministers do not mfke the time to become conversant with the whole of the Dominion. This duty up

pears to be particularly a necessity in the case of n .Minister of Mines, the whole of whose department applies in the main to tho least known and less developed parts of the eouinrv. Tho present occupant of the puitfilio of Mines is a very approachable gentleman. and one who makes fr'en l; wherever he goes. These qualities make it all the more advisable that he might see more of our Westland, the future of which will yet be governed largely by the development of its latent mineral wealth. It would be a *oiice of satisfaction to tiiul the Alin, ter of Mines devoting :i week or t •<> to the district, and gleaning first-hand knowledge of its possibilities so t lint he might shape a policy to further the opening up of the more promising and inviting parts of the province. At the County deputation on Wednesday evening, Mr Anderson took- up a view of district prospecting that was altogether commendable. Our regret is that the Mines Department should have delayed so long in making its views known on this important matter. The Minister favors back-block or bigli country prospecting, and it appears is supported strongly by his responsible officers. We are altogether pleased with that declaration, nnd shall look forward to the jsdicy being brought to fruition. With regard to the prospecting of Mnnanui Flat, it can he quite understood that the success attending the mining operations of Rimu Flat, gives encouragement to the more southern proposal. Keystone prospecting has its advantages under certain circumstances and the resolution to give effect to that method of testing the ground was a wise one. Now that the ice lias been broken with regard to the subject of prospecting, we hope it will be kept- in the forefront of the Department's activities. It was said the other evening that it was too late this season to begin active work in the high country, hut as a means to fix on a definite objective for next season in the back country, it appears to us it would be worth while to undertake a reconnaisanee survey of tho country selected, so that a site for direct effort next year could be fixed upon. The Department it was said, has at its call just now a capable geological leader, and if a flying survey could be made for a month or so over the country from Taipo to Wilberforee, including tho head waters of the Arahura, something practical would be done, and the way would be open for a set programme next season. The subject is pregnant with interest to this district, and now that the Minister of Mines regards the idea with such favor, the matter should be pushed forward without further loss of time. If the visit of Mr Vnderson results in focussing matters with regard to a prospecting proposition, it will not have been in vain, short though the time was spent in the district.