SUBSIDISED PROSPECTING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 261, 30 January 1873, Page 9

SUBSIDISED PROSPECTING.

A public meeting, for the purpose of considering the advisability of applying for assistance from the G-overnment towards a systematic scheme of prospecting for quartz reefs supposed to exist in Gabriels Gully, convened by the Mayor at the request of a number of citizens, was held in the Commercial Assembly Rooms, Lawrence, on Friday evening. The Mayor took the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading the requisition upon which he convened the meeting. He stated that the Government had spent large sums in developing the quartz regions of the North Island, and he did not see why a oortion of the amount voted last session for prospecting should not be expended in this district. Mr. J. C. Brown, M.H.8., being called upon, said he took an active part in getting up the requisition to the Mayor. He did so in consequence of being repeatedly talked to about prospecting the ridge between Gabriels Gully and "Wetherstones. He thought the construction of a tunnel right through this ridge feasible, and would contribute towards it and use his influence as member for the district to obtain Government aid. It had been m* suggested to form a company, but he 7 thought it a better plan to call a meeting of the people, and let them devise measures for accomplishing the object in view. In the North Island the General Government had constructed tramways, and aided in the piercing of tunnels. In Nelson they proposed water races ; and all knew what was being done at Naseby. He thought a portion of the amount voted last session for prospecting might very properly be expended in subsidising the efforts of a company to prospect the ridge alluded to. He had telegraphed to Mr. Haughton on the subject, and that gentleman had answered to the effect that no regulations or scheme for the expenditure of the vote has yet been made. It struck him that it was better to subsidise prospecting thau to offer the amount as a reward for the discovery of a new goldfield. A man discovering a new goldfield generally obtained a sufficient reward, and it was certain that men willing to contribute part of the funds required out of their own pockets would not embark in visionary speculations. There would, in his opinion, be no difficulty in obtaining a subsidy, and he recommended the people to decide speedily as to the action they would rake, as His Honor the Superintendent :~id the Secretary for the Goldfields rrould visit the district early in February. There was strong evidence that there were many reefs parallel to that now being worked, the discovery of which would prove advantageous to all. He had recently visited the most celebrated quartz claims at Bannockburn and Bendigo Gully, and he could assure them that none of them had such a well defined reef as that in the Gabriels Gully Co.'s claim. Mr. Pyke, 8.M., was then asked to speak. He said that he understood the object of the meeting was the formation of an association or company to systematically prospect, with Government assistance, the range between Wetherstones and Gabriels Gully, He believed that the Government would gladly subsidise any such association ; -End he had no doubt of the operation proving successful, if the people would only put their shoulder to the "wheel. He believed the range proposed to be prospected was seamed with quartz reefs. The range was situated between two rich auriferous gullies, and there could not possibly be a likelier place for prospecting. A tunnel of 1500 feet in length would require to be pierced, which would cost 12s. per foot. Half of *he sum required might be reckoned upon from the Government. The people would be blameworthy if they did not make further attempts to develope the resources of the district. The discovery of reefs, as all knew, would immensely benefit the district, while a systematic scheme of prospecting would prevent the waste of capital. As one having the welfare of the district at heart, he hoped the meeting would not conclude without something definite being done in the direction indicated. Mr. Squires read the area of ground held under lease on the range. The only prospecting work going on was a tunnel being driven at an angle of 40 deg. to the reef, from 200 below the Gabriels Gully Co.'s tunnel. That tunnel could scarcely be called a prospecting one, for they knew exactly where it would strike the reef, and it would only give information as to the nature of 100 feet of _ fresh ground. There was strong evidence 'of the ex- ! istence of other reefs, running parallel to that worked by the Gabriels Gully Co. Auriferous quartz specimens had been fonnd in great numbers ; and the situation of the range itself made it extremely possible that many reefs existed in it. For himself, he was confident that any prospecting would be successful. The locality of the tunnel had been left open, and it was now for the meeting to say what should be done. He bad no doubt that the Government would willingly subsidise any company got up for the pnrpose of prospecting. He might mention that the tunnel he had previously alluded to would be 1200 feet in length, and it was -to pass^fchrough three claims. The tunnel of "G.G.Co. was 215 feet in length, and cut the reef 40 feet from

the surface, in the blue bed rock, 10 feet above the level of the red rock, which overlays the blue rock all over the spur. Nodependence could beplaced on indications found in this rock — all prospecting must then be done below it. He might here mention that G-ilbert Clark had applied to purchase the land held by him under agricultural lease. Were tthis allowed, in all probability it would prove fatal to any prospecting scheme. His party held the greater part of the shares in Tracey's lease, and this they were willing to allow to be cancelled, so as to throw no obstacle in the way of a company being formed to prospect the the ridge. He suggested a committee be formed to communicate with the Government, and to point out to the "Warden the desirability of not recommending the conversion into freehold of any leaseholds through which reefs were likely to run. Mr. Hayes remarked that unless they could get a number of the mining leases cancelled, it was useless to move in the matter. Mr. Hay agreed with the former speakers regarding the probability of reefs existing on the "Wetherstones Hill. An irregular discussion here arose, which was terminated by Dr. Stewart moving " That this meeting ascertain if the General or Provincial Government are willing to subsidise a systematic system of prospecting. "The speaker remarked that it was time enough to decide upon a particular locality to tunnel, when they ascertainedtheintention of the Government. Mr. M'Kimmie seconded the motion. No sane men, in his opinion, would expend money in prospecting a place which offered no indications of the presence of quartz reefs. He concurred with the remarks regarding the existence of reefs on the Wetherstones Hill, and considered the public would merely be doing their duty in prospecting that locality. The motion was put and carried. On the motion of Dr. Stewart, itwas resolved to appoint a committee of three, to communicate with the Government on the subject. The Chairman, Messrs Harrop and Hay, were appointed the committee. A vote of thanks to the Chair brought the proceedines to a close.