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Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 2

Tm: fact that further mining claims are being taken up in North Westland. suggests .something of a sustained revival In regard to alluvial working in that locality. Tin l northern district lias been well favoured with alluvial deposits ami mining now has gone on lor over sixty years. Some of the most important and attractive “rushes” of the past were centred in Unit locality. It, is not regarded as n fact, that the gold deposits have been exhausted, but diflieiilt ies and expense in operating caused a gradual cessation of work, till mining became almost a back number In a territory a nee teeming with gold miners. The advent of hydro-electric power promises to alter the general aspect, and bring about a revival. Deference lias been made before to tho operations commencing at Big Dam, near Goldsborongh. where the Skip|>crs Claim is now being worked by a party of men. Last week further ground was taken up at Callaghan's, one of the localities carrying rich gold in the past. There, also, tin- district can be served with electric power, and on economical lines for operating, .satisfactory returns should result. Tligre is similar alluvial country surrounding (loldsbemiigh and Slnll’ord which will now be commanded by the electric power; and at Kitmara also, the district will be served by the power now being introduced. Tt will not be surprising if the power lines stretch across the Teremakan river, and serve the trans-Toremakau country, as the Tvumara water race did before. Coming south again, there is no reason why the alluvial deposits in the Ara-Imra-Blne Spur region, as well as Kaniori Flats, should not be tapped. It is well-known that the drifts then* are gold-bearing—and it is just a matter of eeonomieal methods in operating. The electric power line is more pliable than an electric dredge, and if the power can be used from land instead of from water, so much the better still. There are thus evident possibilities of mining developments, and if will not be surprising to find before the end of the year that a healthy revival is setting in. The power lino has now boon taken into the Stafford districi for other industrial purposes, and il may be expected the power will be used also for mining in Unfavoured localities thereabouts which are known to be gold-bearing. The possibilities of the uses from electric power are certainly manifold.