GOLD MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1929, Page 8

GOLD MINING

In the report of the Department of Mines for the year 1923 Western Australia, it shows that in 1897 the output of gold is given in fine ounces of gold exported and received at the Perth mint as 600,000 fine ounces and from that period a general improvement continued until 1903, when a litlte over 2,000,000 fine ounces was reached. Afterwards it has fallen off to no less than 400,000 fine ounces for the year ending 1928. The gold yield shows a decline being 14,945 fine ounces less than in 1927 which was 28,990 fine ounces less than in-1926. Legitimate assistance in every possible direction has been extended by the Government with a view to pushing forward the industry by the development of existing mines and the discovery of fresh deposits so that if possible the gold output may he augmented and the longcontinued decline arrested.

For the year 1927 the average value of gold produced per man above and underground was £431.95 and for the year 1928 the amount was £438.62, whilst the average tonnage of ore raised shows a decrease from 175 tons to 171 tons.

A gold find is reported from Drake, near Tenterfield. In a few days two men unearthed about 100 ounces of pure gold and some nuggets of solid gold weighing 7 ounces.