"NASEBY COLDFIELDS"

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 20, 24 July 1933, Page 6

"NASEBY COLDFIELDS"

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —A news article appeared in your issue ;of the 6th instant' regarding the above. The statements therein made have been challenged. The writer of the article concerned is known to me, as I, with two other Wellington men, joined him last April to go mining under the No. s,Government unemployed scheme at Naseby. Prior, to mining inNaseby, I was engaged on the ordinary relief rates of payment and class of work offering in this city to unemployed men. Let me assure readers, from actual experience, I am satisfied that men of the right type, willing to work, can make a living in Naseby and be more contented than under present-day city life and conditions. In my opinion, the "Yonng Wellington Man" was quite modest in his statements, which I thoroughly endorse: "Miner,"'in his letter, admits that there is still plenty of payable ground Ipft in the district concerned, but states that it requires large scale operation. Both the "Young Wellington Man" and I agree on this; in fact, this was never disputed, and surely if the gold is (here in payable quantity and only requires equipment and water and man power, the Unemployment Board has an opportunity of giving 'work to many fine fellows. The Unemployment Bo»rd is in a position to cope with an area like Naecby, and it would be in the best interests of this country to see numbers of men profitably employed, even if the individual earnings were small, in'comparison with a few better-off men owning and controlling the auriferous ground.

Through no fault of my own, I was compelled tp leave Naseby in order to reeoiyo medical treatment, but I am determined to return to,Naseby and am fully confident of .meeting with reasonable success. .If Naseby is not what; is claimed for it in the article under review, does it seem reasonable that I for one am bent on going back?

I could state dozens of reasons showing the •weakness, of "Miner's" argument, but sufficient td say that there are miners in Naseby .who have been supporting themselves at mining solely for years and without Government assistance. I heartily agree with your sub-leader of the 10th inst. commenting on tho original article. T am careful in my statements, knowing that this letter, when printed, will be displayed on the public notice board of Naseby undjje a topib of considerable discussion for months to come.

Before any man1 caw be accepted .on 'gold-mining at Nascby ho Juis to be approved and .sent, there from tho Unompio.vmont Boards., controlling officer in that, district. Further,, as each man hn's to pay his own post of transport and provide himself with necessary equipment, this in itself .■will ensure that only men of courage and determination will take on mining. This type of man generally makes, good, and I am- perfectly satisfied that the Unemployment Board will study tho interests and, heeds of the men who will prove themselves. I can honestly say that the officers in charge of relief mining in Naseby have more than done their duty by us. I, as a ijrateful relief work miner, felt that it called for me to support tho original article which I know was written with the best motives and no thought.of personal benefit or praise. At least, Nasob.v, which has lain dormant and forgotten for so loner, is now very much in "the public eye."—l am, etc.,

ANOTHER FAIR PLAY MTNER FROM WELLINGTON.