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Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1931, Page 4

It is to be hoped as an outcome of the present favouring movement to further gold-mining that something practical will result. At ithe moment gold producers are reaping something of an extra price on gold because of the value won under the exchange rate, and on an organised selling basis even the small man could derive advantage from the better price to be obtained. Apart from that more men devoted to gold-mining in this district would be an advantage because the ordinary avenues for working men in respect to saw-milling and public works are now closed practically, and there is not, any immediate prospect of an active revival. 'ine surplus labour could therefore be utilised to good advantage under a sound prospecting (scheme, for there is no doubt there must he plenty ot gold in Westland to reward the diligent prospector. Rimu Flat has proved a. revelation even to the old miners by the rich returns it has yielded over, a long term, and for a long term to come a® a result of systematic prospecting of a well organised venture these returns are assured. The beach leads well i known to be payable, have long remained untouched. The Three Mile . dredge has given an affirmative answer j to those values, and there are many miles of auriferous country along the beaches which ’ could be ' d p alt with similarly. 'Hie news of the good prospect® be in 2 obtained at the back of the Okarito Lagoon, gives point to the opinion often held, that legitimate searching will bring its reward to the enterprising. There is thus the fullest encouragement to endeavour to

prosecute prospecting and the lately formed Association cannot get to work too quickly or too earnestly in the effort to deal, as effectively a«s possible with the matter. Naturally, the policy of the Association and its scope, will be limited bv its finance. The aid from the Government is very limited and in view of the expense for tools and plant, and material, should be supplemented by. the Association. That body has very little funds in sight, but if a scheme of weekly or monthly contributions from the business people and others could be arranged, there would be some way out. There is every reason to expect financial support from the community jn this matter, for the benfits will have a community value, and the money under the proper supervision which could lie enforced, cciuld be Utilised in legitimate propositions showing a general advantage of satisfactory results.