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Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1929, Page 4

The lure of goldmining is causing the people of the Thames district to organise an important prospecting scheme. From time to time there have been movements in that direction hqre, but urn attempts have not been sufficiently definite nor determined. The mining going forward .at present is confined cniefly to the dredging principle. The established field at Rimu Flat is evidence of the gold content of the district if the leads can only be located and efficiently worked. Capital equal to the requirements of the special proposition is usually the stumbling block. It is far more costly nowadays to win gold, and unfortunately for the po’d miner the gold itself has not appreciated in value to equal the extra cost of winning it. But with a great enterprise such as is flourishing at South Hokitika, we see what can he done in a large way, providing there is the encouragement, to launch out. Tn that instance of course, a thorough system of prospecting was resorted to I at the outse\ and the results were of) such promise when the testing was thoroughly carried out, that the Company has no oualms about c>rrvin" on. The same field was in the hands of others, but its value was never realised, nor was the ground worked as effectively as is now the case. The thoroughness with which the work has been carried on leaves no doubt as to the effective methods of operating. Prospecting has proved the richness of some of the beach leads in the south, and near Oliarito another ven-

ture is taking shape. It is not unlikely that a similar result will follow in due course at Gillespie’s, further south. These instances indicate that me gold-mining spirit is still rampant, and the fact that the possibilities of localities in North Westland, in the old Waimea district, are being tried out, indicates that the same spirit is extending further alield. The tune is ripe for some action on the lines of that adopted at Thames to test out the auriferous country in sc ec cd p'aris of district. It may be difficult to raise ample capital, the eventual return if success attended the action, would be of immense value to the community. The Government could be induced no doubt to help in the matter. Legitimate prospecting is ad in the interests of me Domiiron, for there is not a more revenue producing peop’e in the country than a gold mining population. Besides, even ir modest “rush” would do more to lift the Dominion out of the slough of unemployment than any action yet conceived by the authorities to relieve the situation.