GOLD PROSPECTING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 2

GOLD PROSPECTING

THE HOKITIKA DISTRICT VISIT BY THE MINISTER.

The Hokitika District Prospecting Association met last evening when then: were present: Messrs T. R. Chosterjnan. J. J. Mclntosh, S. Hydnman, X. Warren, E. W. Heenan, 0. Sutherland, and W. P. Boyd. In the absence of tlm. chairman with whom a motion of sympathy was passed in his illness, Mr Chestermnn was appointed to the chair. Air Wildbore and ‘party sought as-

sistance from the Association to t-'m / extent of ££> to assist them in sinking a shaft on Seddon’s Terrace. Timin'! was needed and they had no means ot procuring it. They were on ground that had not been tried and had a good chance of finding gold. The Chairman said lie though(, this was a ease deserving assistance. Mr Hyndman said this was a genuine enough ease and seemed a like proposition. being on new ground. Most o! the men applying for assistance through the local Unemployment Committee were told that they were inexperienced. All prospectors were inexperienced at one time or another, vand the country would he in a bad way if they were all treated the same way. He thought a more lenient consideration might be given applicants. Mr Heomm said that in many cases the men applying to the Unemployment Committee were not known personally, and that, therefore, their requests for assistance did not receive the consideration merited. Mr Heenan moved that the sum of £5 be granted the applicants in question to assist them in their project. Mr Mclntosh asked if it would not he possible for the local unemployment committee to appoint an experienced man who was put of work to assist- amateurs in the matter of sinking shafts. Mr Sutherland: Mini bare members of tlii* Association who would do. Mr Mclntosh said he meant that somebedv outside the Association should lie appointed, thereby giving work to somebody out of the ranks. The Greymouth Harbour Board advised that no funds were available to help the Association at present- *" A further request'for assistance wr si received from Air J. Toohey and party,

to aid them in working quartz veins in the Araliura series. Extracts of geo In. gical experts’ reports on the locality were enclosed in support o!' their request. All- Warren said that the applicants had received assistance in the town to replenish stores, but still needed additional funds to carry on. Tlie area was very promising, although almost inaccessible. The treasurer said the Asscciation had £3O odd in hand. Mr Warren said ibis party was hi perhaps the best district possible, and be would say this with full responsibility.

The Chairman moved that the sum ol £lO be granted, the motion being carried.

Tlie Minister o r Alines advised tliar the hand placer drill at Dunollie was now available.) and might be hired to (lie '.Association.

The Board denned it inadvisable'to take the drill until its finances were in a better state. The letter was received.

Tim Department of Labour wrote advising that a visit to the district was under consideration by the .Minister ol Alines and bis chief executive officer The Association was requested to reeomunul that suitable areas might be visited by the Alinisterial party.

Air AVarren suggested that the Alin ister be asked to come on to Hokitik from Greymouth am] ven-ive a deputation from tile Unemp'oyirient Committee. Prospecting Association and other bodies. There wo p man v matters o paramount importance which could profitably be discussed with him. ' 'pile Chairman concurred in Ibis, and Haiti that they stood the best chance of getting some assistance by a personal interview. There wore two or three places along the Boss Hoad, that he would like to see prospect'd. He thought the idea a very good one. Air Heenan said the Ross people would wish to see him also and this would lie more convenient than Greymouth.

.Mr Warren sair| the importance of this district warranted the Minister’s visit.

M' Mclntosh sa'il 11 1 ;»j af 'east flic mining expert, should visit Hokitika, nl-t-liono-li he considered the Alin ister should also come. It was therefore decided that an invitation be extended to the Minister of Alines to visit. Hokitika upon the occasion of his visit to the West Coast. Failing this, it wa s decided that Ah ■ssrs Warren, Hyndman and Chcster-

man be appointed to represent the Association at the conference in Greymonth.

The Ruction Prospecting Association advised that the Department of Internal Affairs had been obliged to decline their application for an art union in the meantime, owing to the large number ol prior applications await ing consideration.

Air AVarren said that many of Ike requests were Cabsolutely frivolous, and if if woe put to him in the right manner, the Alinister coul,| not but fail In see the importance o’ their request ami give it his due and personal consideration, and perhaps place it next on the list. They had his were] that liewon Id consider any sound proposal that would gonuimlv lic'p the unemployed, as well as assisting the industry. All's X. Lawn and Son. i-f Reef toil, 'wrote thanking the .Association for its l exp"ession of sympathy with them ip, their recent bereavement. Afr AVarren said (bore“had been a l<>t

if adverse criticism concerning a grant, made b v tbe Association to the Diggers’ prospecting party, it being stated that, work luul ceased g-anb was received.

It was decided that a report of the work being done by the party lie forwarded to the Association.

Alenihers were of the opinion that the criticism was a dm- on the party.