GOLD MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1932, Page 2

GOLD MINING

MEN GIVEN WORK IN NELSON

INSPECTION BY THE MINISTER.

NELSON, Aug 2-4

Gold mining is being conducted on a big scale in the Nelson province at thie present time. One hundred men are working one claim, and another 150 are working on claims in , nearby valleys. Last week, these areas were inspected by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. C. EL Macmillan, who passed through Christchurch on Saturday night on his way back to Wiellington. . During the visit to the Nelson, district Mr Macmillan was accompanied by Mr A. H. Kimbell, Under-Secretary of Mines, Mr L. May, District Public Works Engineer and Mr R. King, .the -

ister’s private secretary. The Golden Hope claim, on the Mag»gie River, about ten miles from Glenhope, was the first to be inspected. This is a sluicing claim and is being worked on a community basis by 100 unemployed men under the supervision of the Mines Department. .The Minister said that the men were enthusiastic and .had done splend'd work in widening and reconditioning a water race of four miles in length, erecting new timber flumes, and cutting three ta’l -races. They were living in a mode] camp lerectodl by themselves, the buildings being constructed from native timber cut on the spot. The work was nearing completion and a number of the claims had already been balloted for. Within a few weeks, groups of two men will be working on each claim.

Several of the men had brought their wives and children to the new area, he added, and notwithstanding the rigorous dimato, all in the camp were in good health and spirits. A store bad also been erected to soppily the men with groceries and other necessities of life.

Jn the adjoining valleys. tb<* Louis Maude and the New Creek, the Minister found 150 men at work. None of them are receiving any State assistance, and they had exhibited the iiscil independent spirit of miners in carrying on without making any claim for relief allowances.