LITTLE GOLD IN BULLER

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1940, Page 12

LITTLE GOLD IN BULLER

NO REVENUE FOR CUSTOMS The absence of any revenue from gold duty in the Customs returns at Westport for November is an indication of the great falling off of the gold mining and slucing industry in the Buller district, which at one time included some of the richest goldfields in New Zealand. This is the first time for many years, if at all in this century, that the Westport Customs office has received no’ gold revenue from the Buller or Murchison districts. The only gold being produced is from the pakihi claims being sluiced by the Addison’s Flat Company, but last month, no return was made which should lead to a much increased return in December, from gold which has not yet been declared at the Customs office. The two dredges at Murchison are not working and the usual revenue from this source is being missed. However, the returns from Murchison had been gradually decreasing for some time. During the depression period the Mines Department in collaboration with the Unemployment Board carried out an extensive gold prospecting scheme from which good monthly returns were received. The main purpose of the scheme, however, was not achieved, that of discovering and opening up promising areas in the back country. Some good deposits were discovered but they were quickly worked out and as more prosperous times returned, almost every one - of the claims was abandoned. Many black sand claims deposits on the Buller and Karamea beaches provided a little more than wages for many men, but at the present time there is no activity on these beaches. The Government intends to endeavour to develop still further the area in the Mokihinui hills, known as the Red Queen, from which private and subsidised parties have taken a fair amount of gold in past years. These parties were handicapped by a lack of modern equipment and if this can be remedied it is possible that the parties soon to start work in this area will get good results.

United courts yesterday, the United men’s team (holders) withstanding a determined challenge from Jubilee (Hokitika) by three games. Each team won seven sets, United taking 75 games and Jubilee 72. The results, with the United players mentioned 'first, were as follow:— Singles: Garth v. Warnes 9/7, 5/7, 2/6; Cheyne,v. Dwan 7/5, 6/3; Hamilton v. Hay 6/8, 1/6; Phillips v. Webb 6/8, 6/0, 6/3. Doubles: Garth and Cheyne v. Warnes and Dwan 6/2, 6/3; Hamilton and Phillips v. Hay and Webb 6/8, 3/6. The Runanga Club has issued a challenge to United, and the match will be played next Sunday.