ORE-CRUSHING PLANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 19

ORE-CRUSHING PLANT.

OHINEMURI'S NEED.

CONFERENCE FRUTIXESS.

WAIHI OFFER CRITICISED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WAIHI, this day.

A conference was held in Paeroa between the Ohinemuri District Mining and Prospecting Committee and the Inspector of Mines, Mr. J. F. Downey, regarding the proposal of the Waihi Gold Mining Company to crush and treat ores from prospectors. At the conclusion of a late sitting the committee arrived at the following decision:— "That the committee intimates to the Inspector of Mines that it has now reached the conclusion that there is no possibility of the proposal to have a public crushing plant at the Rising Sun Company's battery being consummated. That the proposals of the Waihi Company would be valuable for trying out found reefs, but in the committee's opinion it would be of little value to tributers. At the same time, the committee earnestly petitions the Government to provide the crushing facilities which are so much needed in the district." Mr. W. Marshall, Mayor of Paeroa, presided, and Mr. H. W. Hopkins, acting superintendent of the Waihi Company, was also present. Company's Proposals. The company's proposals, which were submitted at the request of the Mines Department, evidently as an alternative to the proposals already considered from the Rising Sun Company, and for which the sum of £1000, on account, has been placed on the Supplementary Estimates, were read by the secretary, Mr. F. E. Flatt. Summarised, the proposals are: The company is prepared to crush and treat quantities of ore not exceeding 25 tons per day, dealing directly with the Government, the latter to pay the company 23/ per ton, and the company to pay the Government 85 per cent of the assay value of the ore; the company to purchase on behalf of the Government a rock-breaker and a motor; •the plant, when erected, to be the property of the Government. The estimated cost of the plant was £350. In order to do away with the possibility of disputes as to the gold left in the mortar boxes, the company suggested that instead of lip sampling the ore should be put through a special rockbreaker and sampled there. The proposals were severely criticised by Mr. B. Gwilliam, who considered that the Mines Trust and the Waihi Company, having control of practically all the dividend-paying concerns in the Dominion, should be prepared to assist tho mining industry by submitting an offer which would be of some U9e. Mr. Hopkins replied that tho company did not want the job, but it had been approached by the MSnes Department. There was no profit in it. He was prepared to withdraw the offer. The Mining Inspector considered the proposal deserving of serious consideration. Apparent Anomaly. The position of the Rising Sun Company and the extent of the ore reserves were then discussed at length, attention being paid to the apparent anomaly that though the sum had already been placed on the Estimates for the Rising Sun scheme, the Mines Department had approached the Waihi Company in the matter. The chairman said he had personally conferred with the Prime Minister recently at Paeroa. Mr. Coates had as- | sured him that there was legislative authority under several heads for ad- | vancing such moneys, and that nothing had occurred to alter the position in regard to the Rising Sun proposals. Mr. Coates also assured him that there was no question of "bluffing." The conference then went into committee, Messrs. Hopkins and Downey retiring, and the decision mentioned above was made. The chairman expressed the committee's appreciation of the interest taken in the matter by the inspector and the Waihi Company. Mr. Hopkins said he would offer the Government an aerial line and tramline, and also a hopper, the property of the Crown mines at Karangaliake, at scrap rates. A resolution endorsing the value of the plant to prospectors was carried.