The Gaurdian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1927. PROSPECTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1927, Page 2

The Gaurdian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1927. PROSPECTING.

Information published from South Westland yesterday indicated that the fastnesses of that remote quarter are not 1 icing neglected by the prosjjoctor. The province of Westland is so highly mineralised that it would surely pay t*> carry on a well-organised system of prospecting. In particular, the southern district has proved to bo well stocked with minerals of great value—samples of ores and stones having been recovered from time to time up and do.wt the Coast. In the present period of stress, with other avenues of industry so seriously affected, it is not surprising to find "men’s thoughts turning to prospecting as a means to find a fresh outlet for energy and enterprise in a payable direction. Minerals are valuable invariably and any finds are worth while. The prospects for tin which is of such value just now. in the south are very alluring. It is the same with other mineral substances which found in quantity would prove of good commercial value. Anything that can be done to promote an interest in prospecting is worth encouraging as a good find would result in an immediate revival which would create a steady improvement in business all round. There is no doubt that rich treasure of the nature indicated must be sought for diligently if there is to be justified hope for the possible revival. It is good therefore to see that the prospecting spirit is not dead, hut that active minds are planning schemes with the object o'f ferreting out the mineral secrets of the district. While South Westland presents an extended region of country well worth the systematic

attention of the qualified prospector, there are other places in Westland which arc also entitled to consideration. In and about the Rangitoto region there are prospects for important discoveries, as also in the Jotaia region. Again, at the head of the Arahnra river and through to the laipo there is a belt of gold bearing country which Inis never been fully tried mil. The Tai|-o reefing country often crops up as a probable field for 'exploitation. and is not likv.y to be ueglcitid permanently. The resources of the country from a, mineral point o( view were in former times it' chief claims to prosperity. The advent of land sidtleliiout and the expansion of umbor,nilliug (the latter offering such altractiv<‘ wsitln‘\v ;ittoiilion irom minj„.r pursuits, while the war period and the rise in the price of commodities (with gold values unchanged’) milled further to the isolation of the milling industry A revival must come. In the present depression in milling niul tin' stringency felt by those on the land, it would appear that the revival is actually overdue. Fur flint reason renewed prospecting interests arc to he welcomed as a. progressive means towards the return of the old piosperitv created by the success of mining. In the districts referred to above, there is Slope enough for the tidiest activities. Reports furnished in connection with the geological survey of Mestland. gave much scientific proof of the existence of hidden mineral wealth. All the indications of many valuable deposits were recorded, and the time is surely here to probe the likely localities and seek to bring about the revival so certain to come, and so very needful at the present juncture. On that account tin l reports about further prospecting proposals are to lie welcomed, and it is to tie hoped the fever in that respect will spread with .something of the old contagion as in the days of yore.