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Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1932, Page 4

References in the Mines Statement to the gold industry show that the estimated quantity of gold produced increased from 120,931 ounces, valued at £499,744, in the preceding year, to 129,861 ounces valued at £627,451 in 1931, an increase in quantity of 8930 ounces and in value of £127,707. Still more encouraging are the indications that production, if it continues, will shajv an even greater 'advance for the current yeair. iEbonomic conditions and the high value of gold at the present time are attracting increasing numbers of men to engage in prospecting and in ’forking alluvial areas. Many of the men in certain mining districts are working without financial assiistace from any State source and are winning gold in sufficient quantity to provide them with a living, a position much more preferable than de pendence on unemployment relief funds. Others are prospecting and working alluvial deposits with money provided by the Unemployment Board, and the Department, in four of the districts, has provided expert mining advice to assist the men in carrying out their work. The returns, it is stated, won by some of the miners are most encouraging. A good indication of the increased interest in gold mining is provided by the figures showing the number cf productive claims 'and dredges for 1930 and 1931. While quartz-mining and dredging undertakings showed' but a small increase iadt year, the number of 'alluvial claims increased from 396 in 1930 to 726 in 1931.