GOLD POSSIBILITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1932, Page 8

GOLD POSSIBILITIES.

(To the, Editor). .Sir.—ln your issue of Saturday, July 9th, a. letter appeared over the signature of “Native Born,” re prospecting, the possibilities, and the false impressio is regarding gold on the West Coast. The .writer seems to possess a -budg t of knowledge geographically. Unfortunately’ for the trier the gold is o'iy in certain localities 'which h e does not divulge, n6r does he sign' his name or givo any indication as to who he V This is unfortunate as a gold div; nv of his ■ description would be invaluable at present.)

However,’ his chief concern is an. article which appeared in the Chris* church “Sun,” a few days ago, which be says, may possibly have the effect •'!’ turning .some of the- unemployed from Christchurch, and other places, to loe Coa-st with the impression that anoth) El J'ora do, has set in. lam sure “Native Born’s” opinion is no compliment to -.u 0 f work .on the other side cf the hill. ihe majority of enthusiasts over there are probably more conversant with the possibilities of the Coast than “Native Born,.”' :I have had the pleasure of meeting several parties from both Canterbury and Otago, and' they ail hid m'ns and ° copy of Dr Bell’s geological of West'and and altogether eeemeu to possess a fairly good knowledge as to where and where ,not to go. They ■ — od bv no top.' l ns guided by Dame {Rumour, nor did they expect another Klondyke; They were just men unable to :find ;• work in their own province, V-t ] had initiative, and are individually trying to solve the unemployment probl m “Native Born,” referring to prospening' in Beach Street, says : “The imple man front thee’“Sun”'; has lrad his leg pulled .and with a strong rope.”

I' wish to inform “N. 8.” that the ? “Simple Simon” was not a He,' but

Indy wish considerable literary- qua'ifioaFyUs whose articles and stories app?ar: frequently in New ‘Zealand end Australian weeklies, - and are. • aiwry" appreciated by readers. However, the reporter was treated with the ordinary ‘.West ■ .Coast, 'houpitattty, bad. witnou.i, any- leg pulling, we explained what we v oe seeicirg, and talked cf mining generally. She told us how she h T ralked; through Waimea, Stafford, Rim-j and -Back .Creek, . and had met many. parties l seeking gold. The article referred to regarding revival of the gold industry applied to wha? had been seen in the different .localities and not alone to Beach Street. “Native. Born” .seemed .so anxious •«*> rush .into print that h© did not- ha vo time to paraphrase th e article. “Nat've B.orn” algo says that there were no workings in Beach . Street .in 1914 V for many yeqrs before. This proves that; he does not know what ne i s writing, about. I am at liberty to u>e th o names of two brothers who* made £3O ig, day for • several days at the e.:cl of Beach Street in 1914.

But what’.s rthe. use of putting this pessimist right. He tells you that the shafts''in Beach Street showed nothing' but bottles and old iron, whereas wo never saw a, particle of iron,, and not a piece of glass more than one foie under the surface, and the. layers ot sand and gravel were as uniforpi as .the day when they were cast there by ‘the

Of course its ,the same old story. After we had sunk five shafts and ■f-o-od nothing payable,' everybody knew that there 'was no gold the-'e —be!or? w 6 had sunk them .they knew as much -is .we' did! 'Some individuals ~eem to take a delight in belittling the eff >rts of others. I, for one, have great mi fidence in the. gold possibilities bt r.hidistrict but it'won’t be- found on the street corners; or anywhere - vou fir. 1 the pessimist.

Some 25 years ago Dr 801 l spent about two vears in the Westland district, and in his report ,h e says “There ar* greiH possibilities for not only gold but other •>>-“»rals.” T consider .'we want ftbetter -authority, and instead of run.in 4 about saying all the• go-’.d is. gone, .is some people do, the town would'b e Let., ter o.ff if wp said there is ten times more left than ever was got. You-rs, etc., JAMES TOOHIfi/. Hokitika, July 11, 1932.