PROSPECTING

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 8

PROSPECTING

SEARCH FOR GOLD

ACTIVITIES AT MURCHISON

NELSON, April 12. At the present time there is much activity in gold prospecting in the Murchison district, which in past years yielded large quantities. Under the unemployment scheme, which allows gold prospectors a subsidy of 15s a week, hundreds of unemployed throughout New Zealand have quit the towns -to engage in the search lor gold, and a large number have found their way to the Murchison district. Mr H. J. Stewart, chairman of the Mural ison County Council, who spent some time on the Klondyke at the time of the rash there many years ago, to-day gave an indication of whatf was being done. In the Mangles Valley a good deal of -milung was going on, he said, and there were 85 men in the Howard held. Recently several nuggets were found, the heaviest weighing soz. The two best were sold for £35. It was rather peculiar that -the nuggets were found in clay. A block of 400 acres at 'the head of the Matakitaki foothills in the Spencer range had been staked out. Indication: of the presence of gold in this locality so far had been good. Tile discovery of this field was the direct result oi the Government subsidy. Years ago

dredges on the Matakitaki River obtained good results, and it was reported that in all possibility dredging would be recommenced. Tim whole of ,he river from the bridge on the West Coast main highway to the headwaters bad been pegged out. Gold had also been discovered on the Shenandoah, in which locality a

road was being opened up by the Public Works Department, running from mid-Maruia towards the Upper Mamin, and cutting off the Muruia -Saddle. A number of old workings had been gone over, and those- engaged were making a reasonable thing. Very few ot Gieni were making less than 30s a week (including khe subsidy) while some weie doing far better. LACK OF EXPERIENCE. Naturally many of the prospectors were jjnexperienoed, and , had lithe knowledge of the best method to go about their work. There were a number of old miners in the district who had given up active work owing to old

•frp, and he vould like to see them paid a reasonable wage to take out parties and indicate likely spots where gold might be found, and give practical information as to the system of going about the work. Furthermore, they could' stop a lot of dead work which “new claims” would do.

Quite a number of men from other parts of the Dominion were finding their way to the Murchison district. There were several from Auckland and a number from Wellington and Christchurch.

At the nexjt meeting of the Warden’s Court there would be applications for about 3000 acres of prospecting license:,. A considerable amount of the area was going to be worked by a British syn- ■ irate in mid-Maruia practically vir-

gin ground. Mr Steward stated that the Unem payment Committee at Murchison hai sent out a number of men who wer doing good work and were obtaining a considerable amount of gold. lh< gold output going through the banl "ad Increased threefold since '-In scheme commenced about three montlii ago; Constant applications were beinf received for the subsidy. “The psychological effect on the mei thus employed,” commented Mr Stew art, “is rather wonderful. The mmuti they isjfart on this sort of thing thej get quite keen, and instead of loaFine about when they come into town foi stores they are anxious to got back K their claims.” Work, added Mr Stewart, helped a man to retain ibis selfrespect, and there was ample, evidence of the great desire of the big majority of the mem to keep going, even i-f they made only their “tucker.” The thing that struck ‘him modi, forcibly was the retention of their self-respect. The boom in gold mining was reflected in the farming community, and there was an air of optimism iii the district.