THE GOLDFIELDS. UTILISATION OF SURPLUS LABOUR.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 399, 4 September 1889, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS. UTILISATION OF SURPLUS LABOUR.

Auckland, August 51. Mr J. H. Witiikkokd, who has returned from Wellington after having had a very satisfactory interview with Ministers and members of Parliament with the view of utilising surplus labour on the goldfields, was interviewed by a. Star reporter yesterday. Mr Witheforcl said: I think we are on the eve of a great development of the new Zealand gold fields. The scheme which 1 propounded for the utilisation oi surplus labour has been taken up by many of tho members. What view did tho Premier take of your proposals '! The Premier expressed his opinion that the goldfields could be made to aid materially in advancing the prosperity of the country. I found the two Auckland members, Mr Cadman And Colonel Fraser, anxious to do anything to promote our interests. The Goldfields Committee is composed of enorgetic men, who are prepared to carry out any practicable measure to" further the development of the mining industry, but they complain bitterly oi there being no Ministerial sympathy and support. There is no Minister ol Mines pure and simple, the portfolio being tacked on to that of Lands, and the Minister's energies are absorbed in the land question. The entire goidfield estates of the colony are thus kept in the background. And what is the remedy you propose V What is wanted is the appointment ol a Minister of Mines with a practical Department of Mines -like that of Victoria, having the Geological Department under its con trol. Mr Gordon is an able practical man, capable of advancing the interests of the eroldtields, if ho had forces at command. For instance, the officials of the Geological staff might render good service if despatched to Kuoatunu and other reefing distiicts on the Peninsula, and give roliable information on tho value and extent of the aurifetous lodes, the best methods of treating the ore, etc. The development of a gold district would be more rapid if such reliable information Was forthcoming. At present there is scarcely any official testimony as to the character of the various reefing systems. The nexfr difficulty is to retain our working population while this and other industries such as coal, iron, and timber, etc., expand as they are certain to do. The mistake we are making is that we are driving the working bees instead of the drones out of the colonial hive. Do you think the exodus will continue ? A large army of workers was allowed to depart last year, and there is every indication in northern towns and settlements of a very considerable further exodus. I noticed several articles in the Stau recently striking in the right direction. This colony's boundless resources give us tho mean!) of creating independent wealth, simply by the wise direction nf laboui, whether done by private capital or national capital, it matters not : but in either case the State can do much to hasten his necessary production. During stagnation the whole colony buffers, but none so mueffas the usually active industrious man, who finds himself without employment, though in the richesfc mineral country in the world. Enforced idleness is morally and physically degrading to a man. It is, besides, a direct loss to himself and the country. Legislators hear the appeal for work, but their surroundings render it difficult for them to realise the true state of tilings at a distance. Do our legislators not realise this condition of afi'nirs? The warm cheerful fires, luxurious and carpeted rooms, happy, social atmosphere, and general air of contentment at Pailiamentary Buildings, prevent the chill and disagreeable truth of hard times or an exodus of working population from being rightl} understood. It is not any disinclination to help, but the natural effect of these surroundings dulls the sensibilities so that the cry for help does not so leadily excite sympathetic interest as when a person is among the sufferers. And what do you think ol the prospects of your scheme ? 1 think the prospects are very favourable. At all events the Government are moving actively in the matter, and ■something should come of it very shortly. J believe there is substantial prosperity undeilying the distress we notice, and when there is a sound business administration, and capital is encouraged to How into the county, we shall have more piosperous times in New Zealaud than ever before experienced.

Thames, August 31. Saxox. — A contract has been let to Me^ra 1 Price Bros, to erect a Pelton wheel to drive this Company's air-compressor, while the necessary connection is now being made with the water main. It will be a week or ten days, however, before a trial of the air-compressor can take place. In the mine there is no change to report. Cambria. — In this mine work is proceeding much the same as usual. At the intermediate level the drive nfc No. 7 leader is now in 46 feet from the No. 1 winze, and gold is seen freely in the quartz, which is six or seven inches thick. A second stope is alfeo being carried along on this leader, and in it thero is four inches of quartz which shows gold. The leader in tho leading &tope over the westorn diive is a nicebodyofstone,averaging about six inches in width, and colours of gold are freely discernible through the quartz evory, breaking down. Fair progress is being made with the rise on the main reef over No. 313 1 level, and it is now up a height of 47ft. Some excellent mineral is seen in the No. 1 hano--ingwall leader, which is from six to eieht inches thick. Saxon.— The No. -1 main reef has just been cut at No. 5 level, and is bein<r driven along. It appears to bo about 4 feet in thickness heavily mineralised, and looks promising. Ten pounds picked stone were saved yesterday from No. 2 winze, wheie the ieef is now more defined. Saxon.— A small leader has been cut in the drive at No. 4 level. It shows colours of gold. This drive is now being continued to cut the leader met with in tho hangingwall of the reef. In the stope at No. 5 level, colours of gold are continually to be seen and a few picked stones are occasionally saved. Trenton. —The footwall of the Saxon lode should be to hand from the Cambria No. 4 level crosscut in another 12 or 15 feet of driving:. Jubilee Goldino-mining Co. — The formal opening of the Jubilee Gold-mining Co.'s plant at Waitekauri will take place next Wednesday. This Company is held in London. Lone Hand.— The country in the General Chute drive at the low level has greatly improved ; it is now white sandstono country There are several small stringers f of quartz crossing the tace of the drive carrying some nice mineral. I