SEEKING GOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1933, Page 2

SEEKING GOLD

DEVELOPING AREAS ON COAST

WILLING CO-OPERATION SHOWN

CHRISTCHURCH, March 9

The organisation of a scheme to

absorb unemployed men from the cities in gold prospecting in th e 'Nelson and West Coast areas, on Die same dines as th e scheme which has been i-;o successful in Central is well under way. Mr J. S. Jessep, deputy-chainuan of the Unemployment Board, pascsetl through Christchurch today' on his way back to Wellington from th e West Coast, and he .states that the board's project has met with willing co-operation from all th H local authorities approached. •M,r Jessep visited all the countries in the Nelson and West Coast districts, starting with Waiimea and progressing through Collingwcod, Takaka, Murchison, Buller, Inangahua, Grey ana Westland. The Scheme was placea before all the county- councils and met with gratifying support. In its execution, the .scheme f°r the 'West Coast is the same a s that adopted in Central Otago. Jt will be remembered iin that connection that about twelve months ago the Unemployment Board designed a method of making the county councils the central controlling authorities for their areas. Competent .supervision was found by the councils and paid for by the board. In Central Otago, the Mines Department provided u mining engineer to report on nroas. The project met with criticism, from all sides, but it turned out an unqualified success, and each report on th. 0 work there i,s better than the last.

The board’s present idea is to map out all the gold-bearing areas of the West Coast ais far as possible, and then to prospect them, with experienced men in charge of those who are fresh to the work. Access will be the keynote of success, and an endeavour will be made to drive tracks up the valleys so that the men can pack up their supplies. Proper records will be taken in areas where reef prospecting is done'. The Mines Department will co-operate fully with the board v.n hs efforts. The basis of payment for men on the work in Central Otago is an allowance for married men of 30s per week and for single men 15s per week, every week. Full time is worked, always under expert supervision. Men who have had no experience of alluvial minting whatsoever are taught.

;Th. e position of those men who will b e prospecting for reefs on the Coast is different from those who are doing alluvial prospecting in Central Otago. There is not the immediate return of gold that there ds in alluvial mining. For the time being tli e basis of payment will be the same, but wher. e men are sent far. back by the local authorities additional assistance may be rendered according to th e nature of the work done. That is a matter which, with the approval of the board, will be'left to the local authorities.

A scheme is also being worked out to ensure the full development of every reef located, under competent control, and the men concerned will be guaranteed their shar e of the proceeds.