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Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1931, Page 4

Tub gold mining enterprise -near Okarito so promising of success, is a timely happening of the possibilities of the industry in various parts of the district. Early day mining in tno Okarito region was rich reputedly, and some fabulous returns were derived, as vouched for by the- authentic stones of the gold-buyers. In those prospering days, mining was in its infancy, and very little machinery was utilised. Very often the miner was beaten out by water as be went lower seeking the alluvial drifts, and for tuat reason in most beach workings, there is deeper ground still untapped. Such appears to be the case in the latest large venture near Okarito, and the enterprise promises to be well justified. The gold to be won. from the deeper levels in Westland must be con. sidcrable, and the locations are. not confined solely to the beach leads. Riinu Flat presents another location where gold is being won at a depth not possible to work in former times under, the then existing l ' conditions. Some dfe-ep leads have been tapped at Kanieri, too, but these areas have yet to be worked. The same applies to various other fields wherein former times, mining flourished while the shallow ground was being worked. Although there is a Mines Department, it appears to be somnolent so fair as fresh fields are. . concerned. Everything Is left pract'cnlly to private enterprise, Other Government departments are more parental in their methods of fostering internal developments, but the Mines Department is unfortunately singular in that respect. /I'iie-portfolio lacks-ferious- attention even though men of mining repute have been in charge for a tint?, and executive officers show no initiative in handling the industry in their keeping. They attempt nothing constructive, being content to criticise not very encourageingly the proposals of those hoping to bring about a mining revival. Tt appears therefore that reliance must he placed entirely upon private enterprise, and in the instance

above referred to, a very promising proposition is in hand, which it is not unlikely will be the forerunner of other similar ventures in the same locality—a result greatly to be hoped for.