SEARCH FOR GOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1931, Page 2

SEARCH FOR GOLD

PROSPECTING PLANS. NEW FIELD LIKELY TO BE TAPPED. A scheme which is intended to revive the gold-mining industry on the W cswCoast and thus play a part in the solution of the unemployment problem lias been brought forward by the Roms Prospecting Association. A Livouinble report lias been made on it ny a. member of the Unemployment Bourn. It is hoped to bring into production much of file country at the headwaters of the Mikonui and Totai'a Rivers, r,‘d also to establish a new field below the Rangitoto range. The association plans to send out eight prospectors, who will be expert miners. Iwu ol these men. according to tentative plans, are to go to Farmer’s Creek, two to Constitution Hill, and four to the Rangitoto country. The Mines Department grant of 39s a week is to lie claimed for these men, and the Unemployment Board lias been asked to find another guinea a week to bring the amount up to I'3. Gold is There. fi’lie scheme was explained by Mr John Murdoch, Mayor of Ross. When the prospectors strike gold, claims will be established, and it is suggested that one miner could be in charge ol a party of unskilled men who would then he engaged in productive work and independent of relief works. The initial expenses are to he borne through an ail Union and the contributions oi the Ross Prospecting Assciation. Mr Murdoch is confident that gold, both alluvial and in reels, is to be ft,tied in the Ross back country. He knows the country very well and lias prospected widely himself. He urges that many claims, abandoned by

miners of other days as worked out, could be made profitable by mcji pos. sessimr the advantage of modern equipment. “The surface has only been scratched.” said Mr Murdoch. A Geological Survey Department bulletin states that in the foothills area it is principally on Mount Greenland and the neighbouring ridges that the search for payable auriferous lodes is likely to be rewarded, but the slopes of Mount Rangitoto deserve some attention. The lode prospected by the old Rangitoto SilverUMining Company has possibilities in gold rather than silver, the bulletin adds. Position of Fie'd. fi’lie country which the association lias in view on the Rangitoto slopes is about three or four miles square, raid is fifteen miles from Ross. The greater part of the distance to the Mikomii River may be covered on horseback and thence food and gear must be packed to the field. Mr Murdoch produced a number ol pieces of particularly rich quartz as evidence of the auriferous nature or the country. Ho bad also with him >u ounce and a quarter nugget, worth £7/7/-. 'This was found at Bullock Point in the same place as the Honourable Roddy £4OO nugget. Tt is hoped to have the prospectors out very shortly so that full advantage may be taken of the summer. In giie winter the men are to be brought in to the fields nearer Ross.