LURE OF GOLD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 222, 6 September 1929, Page 9

LURE OF GOLD

IN THE BULLER RIVER A diversion scheme. PROSPECTORS AGAIN AT WORK. Although the earthquake on 17th June created incalculable damage in the north-western portion of the South Island, some intei estiug observations have been made as to its effect upon mining operations there. Generally speaking, the damage done to actual mining operation, has beer, negligible. Certainly the means of access ana of transportation to and from mining properties have been considerably affected,’ but, with these excepted, the damage in tho mining areas is light indeed. Ln the coal mines the amount of coal shaken down and of timber displaced caused but a small delay in the resumption of operations and the re-establish-ment of the normal output, says the Christchurch ‘‘Times.” In the reefing and alluvial districts where huge displacements of the earth's surface have taken place, fascinating conjectures are being made as to the possibilities of new reefs and auriferous gravels being revealed as the result of extensive exposures of rock surfaces. Prospectors arc already out in some districts searching for the “mother lode,” the El Dorado ol the old digger’ dreams. Soon after the earthquage, an old miner, who had not been on the Coast since the ’seventies, was encountered in the Greymouth express heading for the Lyell, where be knew of a rich reef which he was sure would be workable thiough tho dis placements that had taken place. His only regret was that he could not get through to the Lyell that night. His is not an isolated case. Many of the old prospectors have again been smitten with the gold fever, but it is yet too soon to say whether ’hey have been correct in their prognostications. In the LyeHl and Murchison districts, where rich reefs and alluvials were worked in the early days, and where the recent upheavals were greatest the opinion is held by many of these old miners that ’’aluable prospecting work has been done by the seismological agency, which aid ed by the recent rams, should stimulate the formation of prospecting parlies to investigate thoroughly the hills and earth slips in the vicinity. BOLD PROPOSITION. However, the operations of the Buller Diversion Company are not. conjecture, but fact. the company is carrying out a unique piopositiou between Marlborough and the Lyell. lheir scheme, briefly, is to tunnel from one bend in the Buller River to another at a point where the rivei almost loops back upon itseli, divert the river through the driven tunnel, and then expose about a mile and a-half of the bed for sluicing operations. The geological fault along which the gieat force of the earthquake travelled crosses the Builer River in the immediate vicinity of the tunnel at a place called White’s Creek, and recrosses at a point quite close to tho proposed intake of the river into the tunnel The astonishing feature is that, while the whole length of the tunnel has been .eft intact, the bed of the river at White’s Creek has been thrust up about fifteen feet and at the intake about eight, feet. This means that an extra fifteen feet in height will bo given the tail race, thus allowing sluicing by the ordinary gravitation method instead ol the “blow up” method. “WALKING THE RIVER.” Many are the experiences told nt men caught by the earthquake, but perhaps the most extraordinary is related by the men engaged on the Buller Diversion Company’s tunnel, where the “drying up of the Red Sea” was re-enacted. As soon as the shake came they rushed to the mouth of the tunnel, only to be blocked by the river. It would have been impossible to swim the river at that place, and while theq were excitedly discussing the best way to get clear, huge slips came down all round them. The violent shaking eased, and to I lheir astonishment, the river gradually dried up, and they crossed to the other side practically dry-footed. A huge slip had come down, completely blocking the river, which was dry for several hours before the water again broke through. Prospecting work was started early in the Lyell district, but about a fortnight after the big disturbance more severe shocks were experienced in the hills, bringing down more big slips, and this drove the prospectors out. However work has again been resumed, and the Coast is watching with interest developments in this respect. That the gold is there is an acknowledged tact, but what the recent upheaval has unearthed remains to be seen. Already small finds have been made by the shrewd old pros, pector who keeps his good fortune to himself but who know's when another big strike will be located ? Then once more the Golden Coast will bo the Mecao of wealth and the home of mushroopi towns. It is not only possible, but highly probable.