PROSPECTING FOR GOLD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9697, 22 January 1910, Page 5

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD.

THE TARARUA RANGES.

COMMITTEE SET UP.

The question of prospecting for gold in the Tararua Ranges was brought up at the meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr R. Kibblewhite, who waited on the Chamber for the purpose of getting them to assi t him in brine - - ing the matter before the notice of the public ot Masterton and nf forming a prospecting company. Mr Kibblewhite said that there wa3 no need for hirn to emphasise the great benefit it would be to the whole district if gold were found in payable quantities. He felt sure that the Government would give a subsidy up to £2OO to assist in the scheme. Mr J. C. Ewington paid a tribute to the enthusiasm displayed by Mr Kibblewhite in connection with the matter, and was of the opinion that the Chamber should give their assistance towards the furtherance of the project. He moved that a committee be appointed to make investigations to further the promotion of the scheme.

Mr Donald Donald said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He felt sure that the Tararuas only wanted to be prospected on the light lines to prove the existence of auriferous country of a payable nature, besides other metals. It was known that there were large quartz reefs in the ranges, but time and the right method was required to make a comprehensive prospect for precious minerals. He was of opinion that the services of two thoroughly practical men should be secured, and arrangements made with them to prospect during the favourable months of the year. The pay need not be large if the party were allowed say half interest in anything they found. The project had his sympathy, arid he would be willing to subscribe £5, or £lO for a period of say, five years, if a definite scheme were inaugurated. Mr M. Casslberg said that he was probably one of the oldest prospectors in the Wairarapa, he having interested himself in the work some 41 years ago. A company was started, and they succeeded in raising £4OO, with which funds they prospected many of the rivers in the Wairarapa. Traces of gold were found all over the place, but unfortunately the metal was not in sufficient quantities to make it payable. He was convinced, however, that gold did exist in payable quantities in the Wairarapa. According to the assay reports received when it was shown that the ore would prove payable if a large quantity were dealt with under a simple and cheap treatment. Considerable advance had been made since then in the introduction of cheap methods of treating ores, and it should now be possible to make it Pay-

Mr Ewington said the committee should make it their business to go fully into the matter. They should gather as much information as possible, and make such arrangements as were necessary. Mr Donald urged upon the meeting the desirability of a systematic scheme. It was a matter that could not be successfully dealt with in a short space of time, and if necessary they should be prepared to keep matters going for several years. v Mr Daniell favoured Mr Donald's idea, which he considered an excellent one. Mr Ewington's motion was further discussed, and eventually it was made to read as follows: "That a committee be set up to consider the advisability of forming a prospecting company to prospect with a view to discovering the mineral resources of the district; and to obtain all the information possible with regard to the forming of the company, and report at the next meeting." The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The following were then appointed a committee-—Messrs W. B. Chennells, J. Hunter, C. E. Daniel!, J. C. Ewington and Kibblewhite. Several members in the room expressed their willingness to subscribe, and in a very short space of time the sum uf £IOO was promised towards the project. It was mentioned by Mr Ewington that Mr T. Donnelly, a prospector, who had had considerable experience in po?pecli'!g tha Tararuas would be willing to give all the assistance he could in the matter.