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Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1931, Page 4

In another column to-day there is an interesting report regarding prospecting at- Rimu. The report is the outcome of a discussion at last week’s meeting of the Council, when notification was received from the Mines Department refusing aid to a legitimate proposal affecting the deep levels of the well-known goldfield. A committee was set up to look into the proposition, and it gives hearty commendation in the report to the enterprise of the prospectors. In the course of the report, the remarkable fact is brought lo light that Dr. Bell of the Mines Geological Department commended a proposal to prospect the locality in 1906. For a 'quarter of a century that advice has gone unheeded, or been hidden /away in the pigeon-holes of the Department, which evidently today has not any cognisance of the advic-e tendered by its officer more than two decades ago. Nevertheless the favourable opinion is recorded in the report regarding the Rimu terraces. However, what is notable about the opinion expressed is the view given that “the only wav to ascertain the existence” of the \ golden gravels “is by svstematic prospecting in the favourable localities.’’ Westlanders generally at this time when gold-mining promises to revive, should use the opinion of an expert such as Dr. Bell to impress the Government with its duty in regard to alluvial

prospecting. We might he told that the Government is no! very Hush oi funds; hut h.v economics within the Mines Department, more money could be provided for practical outside work destined to do the country greater good than an overloaded expenditure for mere office work. The country owes so much to this goldfields for the advancement given New Zealand in other days, that at a time when a fillip is again needed so badly to take the place, of local produce to enhance the national returns, the Government will he lacking in an obvious duty if prospecting is not put in the forefront of any developmental policy to open no the- country and provide lucrative employment for the many who are of a class of consumers who pvould more quickly than any other means. stimulate local industries providing supplies and macliirery for gold-mining operations. The representatives in Parliament representing gold-i.iiniiig districts might well get together and co-operate in the effort to move the Government along the lines here outlined for the 'betterment of the conntrv.