The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1933. A PROMISING UNDERTAKING.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1933. A PROMISING UNDERTAKING.

Some little time ago. a suggestion Was put before the Mining Executive acting under the Unemployed Board, with regard to utilising ; the Humphreys Gully water race for promising mining ■developments. The Executive went into the matter and . being impressed with the possibilities, .decided to call for a report. Tnis was supplied through the District Engineer, .and was published yesterday. The report coniirmed the practice bility of the scheme to bring the water through the Blue Spur and Hau Hau if necessary. At present and for some time past the water race has been idle. It commands the Humphreys Gully field and has been brought into the Kanieri watershed at Ward Road, where mining and sawmilling were in progress. The race is held by a Company in Wellington, and it is understood the water is available for general utilisation on terms. It has been found, in years past that the water com. mauds the Blue Spur goldfield where gold in considerable quantity line been recovered, and a start was once made to extend the race to the field. There is a. good deal of high ground about Biiie Spur known to lie auriferous, but not workable, for the Want of water. There is a large area of Grown lands below the present terminus of the race which could be served by the water. The field is an extensive one extending down to Hau Hau. Actually the Water would command Hokitika at a higher elevation than the present uservice from Lake Kanieri, and if brought in could be used as a useful auxiliary to that service. However, as regards mining possibilities, Mr J. A. Murdoch who has an intimate knowledge of what was done with water on the Kumara goldfield over many years, is greatly impressed with the possibility of using the Humphreys water on the Blue ■Spur field. He indicated how a mining centre could be established, and thought there would bo no doubt'about the returns. Mr Murdoch’s enthusiasm and liis practical statement of the possibilities, have induced the Mining Executive to take up the project also enthusiastically. The whole area to be served by the Water is to be reserved under the "Warden, and the Unemployment Board is to bo approached to make a complete investigation of the proposal. This would include a reconnaisance survey with an estimate of cost, together, no doubt, with a well defined prospecting effort over a considerable area. The project L. pregnant with great possibilities The area is the hugest untouched extent of country in this locality eonr Tiered hiphL- suitable for mining That it remains sc imuli in its maiden state is due to the want of water to work the fif’d, an-' 1 the veter the tract of country will become a hive of "Tiling industry. As to the supply of water, that could be 1 augmented considerably as circumstances warranted, ro tint there i« every werrantry for the high hopes expressed 1 as to a now mining centre being as-

tablished. It remains, of course, for the authorities to realise the great possibilities. The preliminary enquiry wilts made by persons quite independent, but fully competent to pass a loading opinion on tlie matter. The conclusions reached were unanimous, and that fact gives hopes that further investigations will confirm the first report. The matter is to be brought before the visiting Minister to-morrow night, and townspeople should show their interest in the matter by attending the deputation .and so giving support to the proposition.