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Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1929, Page 4

Tins potential value of gold mining to this district is still being demonstrated. It is'to gold mining that the town and district owes the convenience it enjoys from the electric light and power service, and the convenience is going to he enhanced considerably by important improvements in what no doubt will be the near future. The Hokitika Borough Council took a very sensible slop when it granted the franchise to the Kunieri Electric Ltd. to light the town. That slop ensured a very good electric service without capital cost or liability to the ratepayers. The step had mutual advantages in that a source of revenue was created for the Company which must go some considerable way to make its capital cost for electric power and running costs for its dredging operations at South Hokitika. It is well to have both parties to the bargain satisfied, and as an outcome imjxirtant developments are being foreshadowed. The Company is going to make important additions to its development plant whereby the available light and power will be increased nearly threefold. This

moans additional light and power, ami a hotter service lor the town. Also, what is more important perhaps, still, it means more extensive gold mining operations at Rimu Flat. The auriferous ground there has been tested by prospecting to such an extent as to indicate the Company lias some 20 years dredging still ahead of it. To cope with that task, it is understood a new hull is to he provided for the existing dredging plant, while a second dredge is to he placed on the field. This is a highly progressive step, and this important work being so adjacent to the town gives an assured degree of extra dife and prosperity over the arcades set as the period for dredging to recover the rich treasure of llimu Flat. The initial outlay on account of this important undertaking is some £25,000, and it is believed no time will he lost in commencing, works. Some months ago the Company secured additional hydro-electric rights at Kanieri Forks, and extra power plant wiil he put on. This industrial fillip so close to Hokitika, must have a good effect, and it is interesting to note it is but one of other highly important projects in the vicinity of the town, which will he launched within the next few months. The immediate prospects of the place from an improving industrial aspect, have not been brighter for a long time, and the initiative of the Kanieri Electric Ltd. and other -companies is to be commended greatly for this pleasing outlook. The entei prise of the Company specially referred to, is very commendable and the town may look forward ,to a continuation of the happy relations which have subsisted all along as between that Company and the Borough of Hokitika.