GOLD MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1932, Page 3

GOLD MINING

(To the Editor.) Sir. —Tt is very pleasing to those that have the country .they live ..n, at heart, and particularly those that know the ■mineral wealth that exists, to see in almost every paper ■. now, the word “gold,” and after nearly every court sittings, we read of licensee and claims being taken up. The nearly lost heart tins made it s appearance once more-, and there is plenty of room on the West .Oast for willing gold-seekers. It is again pleasing to.hem appearing through our papers, the report of a lecture now and again .given by some of our school of mines directors. Bui where is our geologist, when mining m being discussed? 'One can often sit brst quietly, end listen to the knowalls talking, but why don’t they show us what they can do in. the mining world? 1

Now ?s their chance to show w what they roa’.ly do know. Get out in the bush with that pick and shovel. Talk is of no use, the country wants :he .gold, and it is her. e on the Coast. Get out and dig it op. Show us some of the old, diggers’ ■spirit. I am sure the grit is in the young man of to-day. H e only want., teaching how ,to do it. "What is real y needed is a gesture in the right direc-tion-not on something our solicitors can advice, but something that will ■“xplain to th e young prospector the ways and means to do t, It would be a good organisation foi •directors of schools of mines and geologists to,take parties of- the wil.ing gold-seekers ’out into the' bush. In many cases an hour or two would suf lice. Take them up the gullies and rivers that from the long mountain chain running th_rou,h fo r over 130 miles,“which bear ‘ the valuable metals-

The old diggers got it along th: mountain discharges and quartz reel on the mountain tops and gullies, hr. they did not get half of it. We can read in the Australian papers wheio nicfit of the old diggings are be're once more gone through, and, quite adjacent, more .reefs and alluvia) de pc/-.ts are he.ng fou .d. This can be done on the Coast, and ill between, many more alluvial patches and quart/ 'reefs are to be unearthed. Let the parties be taken out anu iven practical' advice. They can be taken south if desired, or up the Waiuilm, the Mikonui, the dotnra, the Hokitika Gorge, Hokitika river, .arounu Kumara, out on the Maori Gullies, Greymouth, up tlm Moonlight, Blackball, the Snowy river, B'ackwater creek, Ikamatua, the Inangahiia river, Muri'ai creek, Boatman’s, and Larry’s creekjs, Reefton, the Buffer, Lyell and so pit. Now, have your wit., about you Mi Redder. Distribute among your party light axes, picks, .shovels, slashers, gold dishes and don’t forget the compass, and, by -the way, that lunch. Don't forget that, because it’s .Lite fuel *e 'the • motor. You may may "go into th<? bush and your starting point may be from some trig station, or the crest of. a hill." However, explain the use of tliei compass to your party, for few knew whether he is going or coming with it. Now away we go up tome tributary or river bed, leading to the great mountain chain, where many fortunes lay. One for you and on e for me, and, support for many. Now keep your eyes' wide open. 'Don’t miss that reef formation in the bank,; of the river or creek. Don't pass over without testing that Hat piece- of ground, which holds a mountain discharge form, ing a gravel bed. Now, when you and yOur party aire right on the spot, is the time to lecture 1 on practical Ll’.es. 'lnstil it into their minds, point out the whys and the wherefores'. Show to them the, formations or r-epf between the walls of the reef channel'?. - " 'Explain the walls, the,, : tlw ' course, end of,, dtps, .stHkes, folds and faults. Tell ‘them about the whole structure of the earth. Explain when going up those rivers and creeks ti e sigr.Yi of a reef ahead. Tell them the ‘mimes of the minerals that form a, gold cachment and when crossing that flat land explain how to bring in the wafer, if it should be required. lei, them hoiv to timber the tunnels and winzes when driving or sinking the .1 Do not go out into the bush only ro iiild a nice shady or warm spot to eat your cribs, and return home saying you could not find an alluvial laud or quartz reef or someh'ng that w 11 H'd £ip to .something of value, but leave oil’ -wheio you all intend to retail n to-nioi-rmv with your tents, to open up that find, and have u. good stout heart like your forefathers and fathers had. a, d you, My Kead.tr, if you say that they do net exist, well, make yOurelf

scarce from the lecturing, rooms, be■Miu'e millions are still left awaiting ihoso willing hands to uncover them, if all you robust son s will just pull yourselves together and you geologists do the right thing. I mean real geologists, not “1 would he’s” just looking for the moneys paid to them, btxt those that have the right spirit in them and go out to work and unearth that gold that is so much needed .today. They will then show to the world that tkey are really worthy of that name. If the above is carried cut on practical lines the writer is contidenf that success must be achieved, but ft. is action we want out on the gold bearing deposits. And while we have, in our Dominion even a huge etie-tcli of auriferous lands, we should have,, very little to worry about in balancing the budget. It can be done with the gold that can be won, and have. millions to spare. The wr'ter emphasises the fact that he is practising what he is preaching. Do as he is doing and there "’ill be no unemployment, but gold-seeking must be done 'practically, contiiimousiy and .consistently, iess talking and more action is inquired. I am, etc., ' M. 0. BIER WORTH Mining Superintendent. •Ross.