MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1933, Page 4

MINING

ROSS MINING SYNDICATE,

(Contributed.)

We beg to report having visited the claim 'i u Blockade Guliy, situated between Ross and Donoghues on Monday morning, " and found' tllQ manager Mr John 'O’Neil in charge, Tnere are now nine men employed in three shifts of 3 me n ‘ each. A 2J horses power oil engine was driving the pump, keeping the bottom of the shaft dry so that the men beiow could work in comfort. The shaft is now down üßft and it is expected that in another week or 10 d a ys timy will strike the first layer of payable wash. We were pleased to find all the work so far forward, the men in good, heart, so like the old days, when tka optimistic miner was just going to strike it rich. The oil engne pump and shaft are covered in from the weather so that work can go on night and day.

Forty years ago surface mining had reaped a rich reward in this locality* but to-day all the easily got gold has been won and it is necessary now for the seeker after the precious metal to go for the deep levels or get back into virgin country after the reefs..

Had the old time miner been able to utilise the oil engine of to-day! we* would not have had the deep leads still lying dormant. It is also of paramount importance that a certain amount of capital should be available, to guarantee success, not forgetting that the management and the practical experience of the men count where success is obtained. Quite a number of men, here, during the last two years have , been drawing the subsidy from the unemployment funds,, supposed, to be for mining purposes* but when you inspect their work: you find they are only sometimes in a creek where the ChiniVmen were' starved out of many' years ago.

Before the Board will "et any 'practical results from the unemr Joyed they will have to form them in‘to parties, camp in virgin, country' with a practical miner in charge, and work systematically either for alluvial or quartz. /