MINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 19

MINING.

GOLD SAVING AT WESTLAND. BLACKSANDEKS , ACTIVITIES. The present high price of gold, coupled with the 3arge number of unemployed, has hnd the result of Increasing those individuals, and also in some cases whole families, who endeavour to make a livelihood washing for gold on the beaches in Westland and elsewhere in the South Island In addition, improved dredging Plant has made it possible for some companies to profitably work over again some of the old areas abandoned years ago. At Five Mile Beach, South Westland, the Okarito Company has been getting regular returns. Another company, the Matak , has been formed to dredge areas acquired on the Mntakltnki River, also in the Westland mining district.The whole length on North Beach, near Okarito, has been divided into .claims which are being worked by men in ones and twos, and even by whole families the women taking their full share of the toil. After a storm the "blacksanders search to flml a spot where the rough weather lias uncovered an area of black sand.Rowing rhat it will have retained tho gold washed onto the beach. They have to hurry and wash the patch between the tiael for it may all be covered up again. Old dlsrgers have been heard to state that with a sluice box it is always possible to Jetlsold alons the Matakitaki River. When the wash has been bottomed good gold s frequently got on a pug formation, and it is to get at that that dredging is to be undertaken by the Matakl Company. The amount of gold has been estimated at not less than 1? Per cubic yard, which should pay well if that average is maintained.

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