KAWARAU GOLD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 September 1925, Page 3

KAWARAU GOLD.

THE BIG SCHEME

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Interesting reference is made- by the Minister of Alines in his annual statement to the Kawarau Falls scheme. , During the year, says the report, the Kawarau Gold Mining Co. (Ltd.) made a commencement with the damming 61 Lake V akatipu. llha work is to he effected by means of 10 stony sluice gates, each having an effective waterway 40ft in width by H’t 6in m height and each being supported at its end by massive concrete pillars, of which there are 11, including abutments. The object of this work is to keep back the water in Lake Wakatipu during certain months of tile year, and thus enable mining operations to.be carried out as far as possible in the Kawarau River. 11 must not be overlooked that the erection of the gates referred to will not lay bare the bed of the Kawarau River, as there are other streams and rivers from which water flows into the Kawarau River. The company has, it is understood, arranged to sublease under tribute agreements portions of the mining rights held by it in the Kawarau River. Substantial sums of money have been raised by the subsidiary companies for the purpose of carrying on mining Onerutions in the river. ’lt is, in my opinion, a matter for serious consideration by all those concerned to-meet one another before the (rates aie closed,” says the Minister, “for the purpose of devising and carrying out systematic mining operations, «o that the most beneficial results may be obtained. I am sorry to- say that misleading statements have been made in some of. the prospectuses which have been issued by the promoters of several subsidiary companies. In Australia at was stated that the Kawarau Gold Alining Cotiipatiy (Limited) had obtain°d a license from the New Zealand Alines Department issued by the A\ arden at Queenstown, and sanctioned by the Minister of Alines to dam Lake AVakatipu, which statement is not correct. The dam license was issued at the discretion of tlie warden under statutory powers conferred upon him, ail'd the 'license did not require any consent or sanction as stated in the prospectus. It was also Stated that the coinpaiiv’s undertaking had for.its purpose the shutting off of Lake AVakatipu froni the Kawarau River to lay bare the bed of the river for the reasons already mentioned above. It was also stated in prohiinept lettering that the .sell Pine had been liaH marked bv the New Zealand Government, which statement is also contrary to fact. The. New Zealand Government has not in any wav guaranteed the success of the scheme, and although it wished those who are finding the money every success and would be glad to see their efforts amply rewarded, it cannot in any wav take any responsibility therefor. ’