THE QUEST FOR GOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 29 February 1932, Page 2

THE QUEST FOR GOLD

REVIVAL OF INTEREST. FALLL AND RISE OF INDUSTRY. (Written for “The Guardian.”) At practically no period since tile beginning of the War has the gold mining industry in New Zealand shown such pronounced signs cf revival as are to be found to-day, in particular, in Otago and the West Coast in tile South Island, and at Coromandel in the North Island, where large numbers of men hitherto in the last quarter of a century are devoting their attention to the ground in the quest for the royal metal. .

The renewed interest manifest to-day has . been brought about, primarily, as a solution of the unemployment problem. The economic! position of New Zealand has suffered a gradual decline during the last few years, resulting in an alarming Increase in the ranks of our workless, which, to-day represents approximately four per cent of the population. In some instances families are lacing the spectre of starvation, and as' the relief work offering has been insufficient in many cases to tide the men over and keep their homes together, attention has been turned to prospecting in an increasing degree in an endeavour to eke out a living,

The possibilities prominent in this renewed interest, as a means of reestablishing an old and prosperous industry, as well as absorbing many of the unemployed, came to be recognised, an j, each day sees more and more men going out into the back country, to river beds and sea beaches, laden with pick and pan, and the work is being fostered as far as possible in the several districts by the formation of mining, or prospecting associations. Shortage of funds is the chief handicap under which the men are at present working. This army of prospectors is comprised in the main of men who have been unable to obtain work elsewhere, and have turned their attention hither as a last resort, and many have not the capital to equip • themselves fully. Mines Department and Unemployed Board.

Much was expected of the Alines Department and the Unemployment Board to “back” the project, but the Department, in reply to frequent applications, notified that, while favourably inclined to the work, it was not in the position to assist in the way of grants, or-even subsidies, while the Board declines to assist any other than those who are registered under one of the unemployment schemes. This is one of the ..unfortunate features, as there are many, some with experience, who desire to participate in the benefits offering, but who are ineligible, having a few pounds put away as a last barrier between themselves and starvation. Under its scheme, the Board pays los a week to single men, and 30s to /pqru9d - men,, fpr,a , period 0f... two months, at the end of which term they must, stand down for a month before timy tutu receive further assistance lro'm the Hoard- This scheme of undoubted, but somewhat limited, benefit, has been availed of in no uncertain manner, Hqwever, a welcome note was sounded in the House last week when it was announced that a sum of money would probably be placed at tile disposal of the Mines Department to assist prospectors. What untold benefit might accrue, should this realise, if a direct gain or subsidy were to be made available to prospecting parties, recommended as deserving of assistance by some body of authority. To many people living in the cities, and in districts beyond the mining areas, the history of gold prospecting in Now Zealand is but A 7 ague, and a brief review of conditions leading up to the present revival may be of interest. Prior to the Great War, gold mining occupied the attention of a large number of men in the various districts where the precious metal was concealed, but during tfiis period, the death knell of the .-.industry was sounded when the Government prohibited t'he export of gold, and sat vn. fixed price of 78s an ounce, which wa,s only a portion of the value the miner bad been hitherto getting.

The Decline of Goldmining. (What had therefore been a profitable pursuit now resolved itself into nothing more 'than a mere living. At that time, other industries were booming, and work was »ot difficult to obtain Consequently, the Gniner dropped fiis tools, left his claim, and stalked out to seek employment elsewhere, and soon became absorbed in other occupations, Its attraction ns a source of wealth having tiled gold mining waned, AH went smoothly for a while, the quondam prospector settling down amid Ids new surroundings. Rut all was not well, The react on of the War s e t. in and businesses slackened, industries lagged,

the ranks of the unemployed began to swell, and an ominous cLoud of depression settled over the community, with the ultimate, results, of which we are only too well aware. The erstwhile miner who had forsaken his calling for the sake of bettei wages found himself out of work, and with his family, faced with misery, with relief work as the only measure for providing sustenance. •Soon it became apparent that the relief work' was insufficient to cope with the large demand, and some, in desperation, left the cities and towns and turned their attention to the back country where they commenced fossicking about, turning over old claims, thankful r t<> wash up a few pennyweights to satisfy their immediate needs. The ivsult s in some instances were surprising, and the news that gold was yet to be found had its effect in in enticing more men to join in ’the quest, until to-day, we are experiencing the greatest reyivnl in the industry since the earlier days. ISuch then is the position, and it is tb be earnestly hoped that the proposal put forward in the House last Friday will have its counterpart in material realisation, enabling the work to be placed oil a comprehensive working basis, i nat there is still gold to be found is Dot doubted, and this is testified by the recent of dredging companies, in particular at Okarito.