SEARCH FOE GOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1936, Page 18

SEARCH FOE GOLD

AUSTRALIAN ACTION

Both the Commonwealth and State Governments are co-operating in the search for gold in New South Wales, says the "Sydney Morning Herald." Since 1932 £113,070 has been granted by the State' Government for the encouragement of mining, chiefly goldmining, and in 1935 the Commonwealth Government made £42,500 available.

Negotiations are proceeding between the two: Governments, and it is expected that the Federal" Government will grant this State at least £40,000 for prospecting this year. In 1931, when the unemployment situation was acute, the State Govern; ment, in response to requests from former miners and gold prospectors, budgeted for an expenditure on prospecting. The proposal was to encourage the working of proved gold mines which had fallen into disuse, and to secure gold from other known areas. The experiment was immediately successful. Assistance was given in three directions, as follows: £78,118 for assistance to prospectors in sinking and driving, in respect of approved sites, of which valid mining titles were held, based on the estimated halfcost of carrying out the work; £12,154 for assistance for the purchase of plant and machinery; and £22,798 by way of sustenance allowance at the rate of £1 a week. .

By arrangement with the State, the Commonwealth Government last year made a grant of £42,500, which was absorbed as follows: .£SOOO for geological and geophysical surveys; £5000 for the necessary technical and administrative staff; £10,000 for assistance for the purchase of batteries, plants, etc.; £17,500 for assistance on a footage basis; and £5000 by way of sustenance allowance to unemployed coal miners whilst engaged in prospecting for gold.

During 1935 a subsidy of £60,000 was provided by the State and Commonwealth Governments. The increase in gold production in New South Wales for that year was worth £117,000 in excess of the yield for 1934.

Prospecting for gold is being carried out in New South Wales not only in recognised gold-producing districts, such as Gulgong, Mudgee, Hargraves, Sofala, and Braidwood, where alluvial deposits exist, and at Copeland, near Gloucester, which is reef-bearing country, but at scattered places where, according to geologists, there are known formations.

Before miners embark on prospecting, the Mines Department makes an advance to qualified miners, who, armed with a dish, pick and shovel, tent, .blankets, and other necessities, accept the advice of expert officers of the Department as to localities in which to work.

In addition to gold-mining, assistance has been given by the Government in recent years to further the tin, tungsten, silver-lead, and other branches pi the, metalliferous industry.