AID TO PROSPECTING.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 5

AID TO PROSPECTING.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER OF MINES. [Bv Oce Own Reporter.] LAWRENCE. May 25. This afternoon Mr James Allen* M.P.. introduced to the Hon. R. M'Kenzie a deputation who asked lor assistance in developing the mining industry. Mr J. Robertson, representing tho Borough Council, said that tho auriferous deposits had only been scratched. In Australia they worked much poorer ground than plenty of what was still available here, and made it pay. He intended to convene a conference of old and now miners for Friday to thoroughly discuss this matter. Ho also brought to tho Minister’s notice tho tampering with mining reserves. Mr W. R. Smyth, chairman of the Mining Association, said that a geological survey of the district was of paramount importance. A certain amount of money would bo forthcoming, if this were done, to prospect the outlying district and tho deeper levels. Mr J. E. Kconan. cliairman of the County Council, said that that body unanimously supported the proposals of tho other speakers. Tho mineral resources should bo thoroughly explored, not only in this district, but throughout Otago. The .Minister: What system of prospecting do you propose? Mr Smyth : Probably we should use tho borer in the first place, and if the results were satisfactory, ehaft-sinkiug could be gone on with. Mr S. Johnston said that all sorts of minerals lay untouched in tho Lammerlaw Bulges. The Mayor : After Friday’s conference I hope to have something tangible to lay before yon. The Minister said that he had no objection to sending a Government geologist, but he woidd be of very little use in prospecting for alluvial. Give a geologist a rock and he could say something about it, but an old digger could do an well in regard to alluvial. There were several reports from geologists about all parts of the country, and these were available. He could send a geologist for a month or so if ho could do anything, but a geological survey was a very big job. As for assistance towards prospecting, tho Government gave such assistance anywhere at the request of mining associations and local bodies if the experts recommended. The deputation could get all information from the regulations. He did not see why they should not use tho drill when it was available. If the people asked for a subsidy he would net one of the inspectors to report, or if they preferred a visit from a geologist one could bo sent to report. If there was a quartz reef the geologist would be tho man. As to the tampering with mining reserves, he had objected to it on every occasion.