GOLD PROSPECTING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1932, Page 2

GOLD PROSPECTING

HOKITIKA DISTRICT ASSOCIATION ART UNION RESULTS CONSIDERED The Hokitika District Prospecting Association met last evening, when there were present Messrs A. H. Lawn (chairman), N. Warren, S. Hyndinan, E. W. Heenan and W. Boyd. Mr Warren wa s appointed temporarily to carry out the duties of secretary in successoin to Mr J. Peake. Mr Warren reported on his recent visit to Wellington as a deputation, representing the West Coast Prospecting Associations, in their request for a permit of an art union. Mr Warren dealt "fully with the business transacted, and stressed the assistance given by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. The chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Warren for his services to the Association. It was gratifying to find the Coast on the list for benefits from an art union, A'IOOO having been assured from an a>’+. union. He considered they were fortunate in that many other bodies had been turned down in their applications for inclusion in the same art union. The motion was carried.

Mr Hyndman said he was disappointed that they had not been fortunate in securing more assistance. The chairnian said, however, that it was very gratifying that the Coast had received recognition. A member: Especially when everybody predicted failure.

• Mr Warren said that it was not without considerable trouble that they had been included. It was decided that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr O’Brien for his assistance in this matter. The Reefton Association wrote asking the Association’s support in protesting against the present mining law. where large areas are held upon which little work i s being carried out, the land being held chiefly for speculative purposes, thereby handicapping prospectors generally. It was decided to defer the subject until the Associations conferred on the question of the art union.

Mr Warren said the beach claim as granted by the Warden here was a positive scandal. They should have been limited to a frontage of about two chains which could 'be worked thoroughly. The practice had ceased now, but it would be some years before the present leases expired. An invitation from Mr G. Heppell to view his patent gold having device was accepted. Mr Warren said that, from a territorial point of view, considering the large area involved, it appeared advisable that the funds should be devided into two equal portions, one to be administered in the northern territory including the Reeftoh and Blackball Association, and the other to the southern territory which was controlled by the Hokitika Association who fostered the industry from the Tore* makau south, and who were now responsible for Ross, the local association there being defunct. It could be seen therefore that Hokitika had by far the greater area to administer to. The chairman concurred herein, and said that, while they must be fair to the other two associations, they should also be fair to themselves. However the matter would be gone into more fully when the associations conferred.

It was decided to make arrangements for the conference as soon as possible. * Mr Boyd referred to the question of the refunding of subsidies to miners. The Unemployed Committee subsidised miners and compelled them to refund 10 per cent of the gold won. He thought it was unfair as often a. prospector paid the refund when he could not even meet his expenses. He should be allowed to make a living wmge before any refund is demanded, irrespective of what he is earning. Mr Hyndman thought that the prospector should be immune from the refund until he wa s earning over £2 a week. It was decided to defer the subject until the combined meeting ,of the Associations.

Mr Boyd urged that, seeing the Association had b?en in operation for one year, an effort should be made to get in as many subscriptions as possible.