Gold Prospecting

Grey River Argus, 9 May 1935, Page 8

Gold Prospecting

At the meeting on Tuesday evening of the County Council and the Minister of Employment, Hon. S. G. Smith, and Mr. W. Bromley (Deputy-Chair-man of the Unemployment Board, the subsidised gold prospecting operations in the county were considered. The chairman of the Council, Cr. J. W. Hannan said that as far as the gold prospecting was concerned, it would give the Minister and Mr. Bromlev an idea of the work being carried out if the Engineer read the monthly report to be presented to the Executive.

The Engineer then presented a lengthy review of the work being carried out and statistics of the number of men engaged in the various branches of the work and the gold production. Cr. Ryall (a member of the County Mining Executive) asked if it would be possible for the Minister to increase the wages of £3 per week being paid to the Supervisors. He considered that they would lose them if other positions were made available.

Mr. Webb said that he thought it was a good point. The whole success of the scheme depended on the Engineer and the supervisors. The Engineer (Mr S. W. S. Strong) said that, he had had very loyal co-oper-ation from his supervisors. They had controlled the men admirably, and had worked long hours.

Supervisors Barber and O’Brien drew attention to the fact that a married supervisor had to keep two homes, had to rig out a tent, and had to get over a big area in all kinds of weather. In reply, the Minister thanked Cr. Hannan for the welcome he had expressed and stated that despite a heavyprogramme he had enjoyed every moment of his visit to the West Coast. It was the first time he had had the opportunity of seeing the practical side of mining. One thing that had impressed him was the keenness of the mining executives. They were tackling the unemployment problem and were doing great work. He had met some of the Supervisors and had heard a great deal about their good work. It was a. difficult thing to say, but he thought he could say that the Board would pay an extra ten shillings a week to the eighty supervisors in New Zealand. He was not prepared to sacrifice anybody’s life and to continue with any gear that endangered lives, and when he got back to Wellington, with Air. Bromley, he would fix up something regarding the cage at Riverview, which had been pointed out to him that day. He referred to the friendliness and hospitality of the people of the West Coast, the scenery, and urged the people not to talk about the rain and the cold. They had other things to talk about and be proud of. He had a rotten job. It was a tragedy to see skilled men down to 27/6 a week. The Board was struggling with a terrible problem, which had not been solved in any country in the world, and, although they had been abused, they had had good results. It had to be remembered that an increase in pay could be onlv given by an increase in the tax. His aimbition, and he was sure it was also the ambition of the Board, was to end relief in New Zealand, and it could only be done by complete co-operation by all who were interested, the 'local bodies and private individuals who had money locked up. He had never had any personal desire to go into Parliament, but his interest had always been with the working man. As long as he had been in public life he had really had a keen desire to help the people of New Zealand. In conclusion, be assured those present that he would always endeavour to help the members from this district to push the claims of the West Coast.

Mr. Bromley said that he was not

happy to have the present rates paid for driving by the prospectors. He suggested that the matter would be ad justed, and for work of the type at Garden Gully and Camerons, which was absolutely dead development work over a long period, they would copy what was done at Mosquito Creek, and have a price fixed for it and do it on standard wages. He felt that this visit was going to be more beneficial than any previously. Cr. Hannan returned thanks for the sympathetic hearing that the Minister had given, and referred to the fact that Mr. Bromley had given the Mining Executive every consideration. Supervisor Barber returned thanks for the consideration given to the supervisors in the direction of the 10/- a week increase in wages.

Mr. R. T. Smith paid a tribute to Mr. Strong (Mining Engineer) for his work in this area. He found that Mr. Strong had entered into some very courageous work, and he should be encouraged. Cr. Hannan supported the remarks of Mr. Smith.

Mr. Bromley said that he regarded Mr. Strong as the best mining engineer that they had. Mr. O’Brien said that he thought Mr. Strong had done great work. He was not afraid to go out into the back country, and kept in touch with the supervisors. Everyone under him seemed to think well of him, and he seemed to imbue all with the spirit to go ahead.

Mr. Webb congratulated the Executive and Mr. Strong. who, he said, were tackling some real practical work, ( going into virgin country and doing urgent work. He felt sure that as a result of this work, there would be little prospecting left to be done on the West Coast, and if only a few of the schemes turned out a success the expenditure would be justified. The Minister said that he had been very pleased to meet Mr. Strong. He was impressed with his zeal and energy, and his attention to detail. Mr. Strong, in returning thanks for the remarks that had been passed, said that he wished to pay a tribute to the loyal and thorough service he got from* his Supervisors. He tried to preserve in the men under him their spirit of self respect. VISIT TO WAIUTA. WAIUTA, May 8. The Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Education and Unemployment, visited Waiuta yesterday afternoon. He was accompanied by his staff. Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., for Buller, Mr J. O’Brien ?.'.P., for Westland, Mr Bromley (Chairman of the Unemployment

Board) and Mr Strong (Mining Eflgin «•< r for the Unempl jvim-ru B< :-rdL IT? •.v.”.. met by the Ccua’v Oha : rman, Mr B. .■•ul 1 and Mr F vV Spencer, Manager of the Blackwater Mines.

The Minister visited the Waiuta School and addressed the children,, after which he inspected the Blackwater Batterv.

A deputation from the Blackwater Mining Association asked that a biidge be constructed over the creek to give access to miners and others working on the other side, the cost of which was estimated at £25. The Minister’s reply was to the effect that the request would probably be dealt with at the meeting with the Mining Execuive at Reefton to-morrow. The Minister arrives at Reefton about noon to-day, when he will first visit the school and later meet the Mining Executive and receive deputations.