SEARCH FOR GOLD

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 274, 15 August 1932, Page 2

SEARCH FOR GOLD

Frost is Mixed Blessing kawarau activities An Extension for a Week SOME MODERATE YIELDS r‘ .. ' ■ - ■ ' : Dominion Special Service. '' Dunedin, August 14. The absence of definite Information regarding the amount of gold won by the numerous parties prospecting on the Kawarau River during the past few weeks hds prevented compilation of an estimate of the total amoufit of gold secured since the closing of the dam, although a number of rumours, none of which has gained much credence, have been circulated with reference to the discovery of almost fabulous quantities of gold by some of the syndicates working on the river bed. - Although many of the iiiiners have made good strikes, in the majority of cksefs a few dwts. per day 1 has been the average value of the gold won, but no definite figures regarding the amount secured by any of the syndicates has been made available. The Junction Hydraulic-elevating Syndicate, which was rumoured to have struck an immensely-rich paddock estimated to yield 5000 ounces, has, it is understood, actually secured well over 100 ounces, but the ever-present danger of the paddock being flooded by the Shotover, destroying months of w.ork, and.the difficulties created by frozeti pipes and a shortage of water supplies combine to make the syndicate’s tenure of claim most precarious. Typical of Many Claims. These conditions are topical of a great many claims on the river, but .the work of pYospecting and sluicing is going on steadily. There are many stretches of river which have not yet befeh touched, and it is impossible to 'estimate what the yield might be if thorough and systematic prospecting . were carried out. -■ -- _ ■ The greatest drawback to successful work on many sections is that the ground is still in the grip of frost and is unworkable. Although a great deal of disappointment has been caused by such conditions they have had the beneficial effect of keeping the river at a very low level, with the result that the Kawarau Company has received permission to keep the dam closed for ■another week. Yields On the Molyneux. Fairly good yields have been reported from the Molyneux River, where a large number of men are working in the. vicinity of Fourteen Mile, and it has been estimated that, on this stretch Of river, more than 1000 ounces of gold have been won since the closing of the gates. Apart from a few isolated returns, however, miners and prospectors have been, somewhat reticent regarding the success or otherwise of their operations, with the result that it is impossible at present to compute the value of the gold won since the closing of the dam.