Objection To Island Mine

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 27

Objection To Island Mine

tn Z. Preet Aieociation) WHANGAREI, December 20. The Government has decided that Coppermine Island in the Hen and Chicken group, may be prospected for copper, but the work has to be done by officers of the DJSJJL The MtaMer at Mtoec (Mr Shand) said that the dectaton had been arrived at after a meeting at a Cabinet sub-committee. The decision came after the committee considered a

request to the Government from Conzinc Rio Tinto of Australia, Ltd., which has been searching in Northland for mineral deposits. Mr Shand said the Government had decided in view of the risk to valuable flora and fauna that the necessary investigation should be carried out by officers of the DR.LR. in accordance with procedures recommended by the Fauna Protection Advisory Councfl. Officers of the Geological Survey have previously reported to the Government that the information necessary to assess the nature and value of the deposits on the

islands may not be of such magnitude as to justify disturbing the very valuable nature reserve. The information would be of value in achieving a better understanding of rock structures on the mainland. This might lead to toe discovery of significant deposits in areas where mining could be carried out without damage which would follow interference with toe Hen and Chicken Hands. Mr Shand stod that if deposits of any great value were found on toe island then obviously in the national Interest they would have to be mined.

The Mayor of Whangaret, Mr J. Johnson, said he was prepared to head a mass meeting of toe people if they would support him to protest to the Government

He was disappointed in the extreme with toe Govern-

meat’s decision. “Once it starts, that's toe end of toe island,” he said. There were other deposits in Northland which were known to be worthy of investigation and exploitation. Why were those not being checked? The chairman of the Northland district council of toe Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Mr O. Blumbardt saM he would wholeheartedly support toe Mayor of Whangarei in any protest that was made. “We should oppose this derision to every way we can. How, at this stage, I do not know,” Mr Blumhardt said. “What right has toe present temporary Government to destiny the heritage of future generations for a small mineral deposit which, even if economic, would be of only temporary benefit to New Zealand?”