THAMES NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 19

THAMES NEWS.

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD.

SEVERAL PARTIES ENGAGED

FLIGHT TO MERCURY BAY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

THAMES, Monday

Although the goldmining industry throughout the Dominion is suffering through lack of Government and private interest, there are many men employed in different parts of the Hauraki Peninsula. prospecting for payable ore bodies, .principally in the northern portion of the Coromandel ranges. Consequently, the director and statt oi the Thames Scnool oi Mines have been fully occupied for some time in sampling and assaying a large number of parcels of ores, some of which have shown very rich values. The lowgrade ores have also received attention, and several large reefs and formations have been discovered in the Tokatea, Waioino, and Neavesville districts, which can be worked with a email capital outlay. Applications have been lodged at the Warden's Court for several new mining claims, and it is anticipated that an early start will be made to develop the claims as low-grade ore propositions. A syndicate comprising Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland and Thames men has taken up an area in the Omahu district, and intend to develop the xeef system. Men's Society. Two interesting addresses were delivered at the meeting of the St. George's Men s Society the other evening, by Messrs. J. H. Adams and F. McGullough. The former spoke on petroleum and his experiences and discoveries while on the geological survey for oil in the Gisborne district. He explained the latest methods adopted for oil boring in many parts of the world, and considered there was a bright future lor the oil industry in the Dominion. Mr. McGullough spoke on "The Press of the Empire," and the subjects discussed at the recent conference at London of the Empire Press Union, which celebrated its twenty-first birthday this year. Increase in Rates. The recent reduction in the valuation of the Borough of Thames has forced the council to increase this year's rates by ■three-eighths of a penny in the pound. The valuation last year was £282,63 d, and this year it is £273,542, a reduction of £9093. As the council did not wish to increase the rates more than it was absolutely necessary, it transferred a portion of the profit from its electricity undertaking,' thus making the increase as small as possible. The general and special rates to be struck this year will amount to 19 17-40 of a penny in the pound. Flight Over Range. The first flight over the Coromandel mountain range took place when a Moth 'plane, piloted by Captain Money, •with Mr. A. G. T. Bryan as passenger, flew from Thames to Mercury Bay. The journey occupied just about 25 minutes, and the 'plane landed on Buffalo Beach at Mercury Bay. As many of the settlers had never seen an aeroplane, the visit proved of considerable interest. The 'plane was inspected by settlers from all parts of the district, and many took flights. The tallowing day the 'plane made a successful return journey. Before the 'plane left for Hamilton, Captain Jonassen, of Thames, made arrangements with Captain Money for a parachute descent from the 'plane at an early date.