The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1933. THE MINING FILLIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1933. THE MINING FILLIP.

The information conveyed by Mr J. S. Langford to the Westland Power Itaagt on Wednesday afternoon indicated that great inters-1 is being maintained in mining pursuits, and that there -is * -...-ready desire to invest in. the industry. This at a time when the Okarito dredge is pleasing all with , good weekly returns is most ba'tij.-jfaotpry, manifesting that even on old '.gold diggings of the early days, all, the gold was not • recoveied. southern returns confirm the opinion, iof many-that with modern appliances' many alluvial deposits remain tor discovery ;by the enterprising along' the West Cofist. The new ventiuirej now materialising 'or in embyro ai-b pregnant with'possibilities, bkt above : all it , shows the real interest ia a mining- revival. Mining is now, very active in this district. 'Apart f from the '’ companies operating, the individual miner is encouraged 1 by the price of gold to try .hi© fortune. There -are many jpar'ties iso opViiatiilg, in addition to which about one hundred men are ; on subsidy 'under tho unemployment ' scheme, lit is probably from the digger parties that there are the best hopes of ia new field, but to ’ realise) that desirable result,!' a/more comprehensive /scheme of prospecting is "required. Actually systematic prospecting is now being carried, on, which means a waste of effort in miany cases for too much attention is. given to fossicking. However with the proposals being brought forward by Mr Langford, who has done so much to interest capital in mining in 'Westland, definite schemes are in mind, each adjacent to- known (auriferous fields. There is the promise of considerable industrial activity, rendered possible -by the availability .of 'electric power. Weistlfind Power Ltd. is certainly lag asset to the district, and it is satisfactory to knew that it is functioning so adequately. Interest will centre immediately in the fortunes of the Lawson’s Flat claim where viator lias to be pumped to a" considerable* Height and deliver a “head” su ! Mcibht n ' J tb do sluicing. This venture" will I 'be in operation Shortly, >and is ia form of mining development possible in ether parts of the district once the proposal is demonstrated to the encouragement of others. The ground t-o be worked is on a high level at CtaUaghans, a mining field which has returned gold blinoe the early times. That it is not exhausted is shown by a Nelsonowned claim in the vicinity which by way of contrast, is working low levels. The range of levels between the two auriferous strata is considerable, and it will not be surprising if the intervening ground is tested out. . The northern -area from Teremakau to Arahura has been definitely auriferous, and there ©till remains a large tract of ground available for the enterprising miner. Now that mining is having such a fillip in the quarter indicated, it will not be surprising to see other ventures put in hand, land it may be considered a substantial revival is in sight-. Enterprises will be encouraged by reason of the advanced price of gold, and wide that commodity continues i n special favour, the interest in gold mining will be fully maintained. It certainly was a wise move when the W-jrll.ind Electric Power Board availed itself of- the opportunity of securing the Kumaiti- water races '.from J, m Mine.? Denari m out, rp’fl through the 'agency of Westlad Power Ltd. has gTs. la develop a power that can be turned to many economic .advantages particularly in mining whirii b.c-s every scope in this auriferous territory.