THE MINING INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1928, Page 3

THE MINING INDUSTRY

(Contributed.)

GOLD-MIXING. lbo gold-mining industry is assuming a far more healthy appearance and gradually acquiring a more solid and commercial basis. This is an industry which many of our leading men held up to ridicule as being a species of gambling. The advent of electric power should clear up this idea. The late Hon. AV. J. M. La mooli, speaking on the gold mining industry said: “ If we will only have confidence in ourselves and in the great resources df the country in which our lot is now cast, the task of assisting to build up a worthy and prosperous community will not only prove an easy one, hut a labour of love.”

PROSPECTING

Prospecting will never he carried out satisfactorily unless the Mines Department gives more generous assistance. It remains to have an active Minister of Mines who carries weight and has a remedy to lift the industry forward as our mining possibilities are by no means exhausted. The easily won gold ; s of the past and tho prospector of to-day has to go hack into the country. There must he a definite allocation of the Afinas portfolios and it is to he hoped it will he the early task ol the new minister to take up the subject referred to with a view of assisting fo promote the gold-mining interests.

AID TO PROSPECTING

AYcll organized prospecting parlies will yet do great good by new discoveries of our mineral wealth, and it is b.v aiding the bona fide prospector that we may expect to secure advantageous results. AIINING AND UXEMPLOYAI.KNT. So far hack as ISS7 the late Hon. AV. .1. Al. Larnnch stated in his Mines Report regarding the mining industry: “ Knowing as I do how easily an,\ steadv worker not necessarily a ininei. can put together six to eight shillings per day on many of our alluvial goldadds by simply using a tin dish or an old cradle, and washing the alluvial drift found near the beds of the wateieourses. I often wonder that theie should be in this country unemployed, i |V ( ,| s ere if they would turn their attention from the large towns and centres of population and wend their way to some of our goldfields they would soon find bow easily and indeoendently they were entitled to mnke a good livelihood and enjoy an unlimited range of freedom ol existence.

COAL PROSPECTING

The coalfield at Knniori, near Hokitika, which has been known for sixteen years, has again attracted attention. t„ November 1885 the writer visited Hip field, having been instructed to d" „ with the object of advising tho Coal Prospecting Association as to the best locality for commencing permanent works. The country in the vicinity o the formerly known outcrop is extreme'v rou'di and broken, and T did not see -nv chance of success just there so recommended that an effort he made to n permanent seam further to the ‘-outh about Koiterangi. This was acted upon and in April last l ,-p.visited the locality and examined s.mio outcrops which had been discovered. The most likely one was a scam 3ft. Gins in thickness but- contains two bands of soft shale each about 4in n; thickness and occurring at a heigh oabout 1300 ft above the flat. As this seam dips 5 degrees to theit ninv he found nearer the leie ground'; and at my suggestion the efforts of the prospectors will he direct cd to the solution of tins problem. As there arc parties out m tins loea' it y it- would possibly be of interest f note the above remarks.