QUEST FOR GOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 119, 23 May 1933, Page 13

QUEST FOR GOLD

ACTIVITIES IN OTA6O GRANTING OF LICENCES (Special to the "Evening Post") "" DUNEDIN, May 22. .; Mr. A. 11. Kimbell, Uiider-Sceretary for Mines, visited Cromwell on Saturday and spent a good deal of timo inspecting the areas at Bcndigo and the scene of activity at the gorge. During his stay he was met by the executive of the Mining Association and discussed several matters connected with the industry. As to the fate- of the many applications, Mr! Kimbell said that matters were completed for the Minister's consent to all applications, except one, outside those on Cromwell Flat. In regard to the later area, he said, there were difficulties and complications which the- public did not realise. Certain proposals had been made to Ke passed on to applicants for consideration at an. early date, and the result would" be awaited, 1 It is stated that, one of the chief factors that have- delayed tho granting of licences on Cromwell Flat is that objection has been taken to the adoption of methods that may destroy the surface of. the land to be worked. It is claimed that if the area is worked by ordinary methods,'some land, which may yield only a, small return, will be permanently destroyed. It is suggested, therefore, that the Government should not grant Jicen^c-s unless it imposes a condition that surface soil must be replaced. This aspect of the position is said to be engaging the attention of the Government. Owing to a thaw in the Cromwell district last week the river roso sharply, with the result that several of the tunnels along Kawarau were flooded. At the Bell-Hooper claim the ilood temporarily caused a little inconvenience, but good progress has been made with the work ia hand. The second tunnel on the eastern end is "now in close on 300 feet. Messrs. Bell and Kilgour have been more or less idle, the flood having submerged their pumping plant. Good prospects are still being washed. A representative of Mr. ■ Johnston and his party, who have a claim on the high terraeo near tho sehoolhouse, Creek Nevis, was in Cromwell last

week with a periodical wash-up. The exact amount was not given, but handed over for inspection. It was sufficient in bulk to indicate that payable returns arc being won. -Jt was a dis-i tinct sample, being rough and not! water-worn and abounded with fair- i sized nuggets. The largest of these was one ounce 12 grains, others ranging from five to six pennyweights.