The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1926.

GOLD-MIXING. Developments on the Thames goldfields, and prospecting operations in South Westland and Otago, are evidence, remarks a contemporary, that there has been a renewal of interest in gold-mining in the Dominion. Until the location of payable ore in any quantity at Thames has been proved, those who know the field well will with-hold judgment. It has keen claimed that some of the patches found on the Thames gold-field were the richest ever .known, and if a picket of ore of the kind once found in the Caledonia mine were located the result might he the careful exploration of the heavy country behind the old mining township. The Albumin mine is situated some Jnin--1 reds of feet above the coast line, so l ' ill ll() t be troubled with water difficuJtijjs which prevent* development* vork in other directions. Since tho •losing of the famous Waiotahi mine ome years ago the deep levels at [Lames have been flooded, and the iorough Council has installed an elecric- pump at the old Saxon schaft. to re vent the water rising to a level hat would affect the low-lying porions of the town. Attempts have een made to induce the Goernment to assist in lowering 1 (ie water level in order that '

development work might be carried out at least at the old 300 ft. level, and if the prospects at tile Albumin mine should come up to expectations, the

desire to test some of the country now flooded wnl he revived. AVliile the Thames Held lias been patchy, there catj be little doubt, that much ream ins to bo examined. The location of a payable body of ore would be a splendid tiling for the country. The discovery of gold in the early days brought a large number of men to

New Zealand, and they proved themselves to be both good miners and resourceful pioneers. When ilie mining industry began to drop back many of the miners took up land Tn the backblocks and became successful farmers. The remarkable work in developing the Waihi plain is an example of what they have done. Tn addition, the discovery of gold-bearing stone would give the exports of the Dominion a much needed lift and strengthen the financial position of the country materially. A paragraph recently published, taken from the “Lyttelton Times” of April 27th,, 1876, stated: “From April Ist., 1857, to' Afareli 31st. 1876, New Zealand exported 8.038,571 ounces of gold, valued at £31.315,319.” I lie value of the gold and silver exported to date has passed the £94,000000 mark. The Department of Alines lias lollowed a progressive policy in encouraging prospecting and development work, and all that is needed to revive activity in tlfe industry is the discovery of a promising body of ore. The price of gold in the London market is such that ore of a comparatively low grade should bo a payable proposition. After making due allowance for the persisted, optimism of the old miners* on practically every gold-field in the Dominion, there is ground for the belief that the mineral resources of the country are by no means exhausted, and that niTkleru methods of treatment and of mining may result in the industry again occupying a prominent place in our activities.