The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1935. MIXING POSSIBILITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1935. MIXING POSSIBILITIES.

Tjtm volume of business dealt with by ihe Westland Mining Executive on behalf of the Unemployment Board is some indication that the mining possibiiites of the district are far from exhausted. That conclusion is in accordance with the accepted view by those acquainted with the mining prospects of Westland'. The Executive has certainly done well, and lias moved circumspectly in its operations since its inception. What is being accomplished is some warrantry io its work. •At Taipo, defined reefs have been loatod by subsidised men, and private enterprise is now venturing on thendevelopment. In the coming summer there will be much activity in that locality, and for that reason the. Executive is moving to have the access improved, and work is offering for men who are prepared to try their fortune in the back country. The Humphreys race extension scheme which the Executive brought to a head, is now materialising and employing some two hundred workmen, and the prospects for a settled mining population following water being brought on to the Kanieri-Blue Spur fields arc very bright. Many individual parties have been assisted with their private venture aJid have been helped to establish claims which have proved satisfactory. The gold returns won by the subsidised men in this district bare been the subject of comment for some time, and the returns are being sustained. Of late more men arc disposed to go into the back counry, and the Executive is encouraging that class of prospecting, both in the southern iand eastern parts. In the northern portion of the district, the Executive yhas put forward a proposal to prospect a maiden area of over 2,000 acres in one vicinity of the. Kumara goldfield which was so rich in former years. Actually the country is an extension of the field, abutting Larrikins which was one of the best sections of the

wonted ground. Work of this class is to he commended, and with a locality of such promise, the work should be facilitated as much as possible. The nature of the prospecting calls for experienced miners, and to test the ground the suggestion has been made to offer a higher subsidy to the workmen as deep sinking has to he undertaken. A successful find which is within reason, would lie a groat, map to mining, and open the way for absorbing much idle labour. A proposition such as this might well engage the attention of the Mines Department m reviving its policy to encourage the mining industry. There is further the question of testing the deep deposits of the Kumara field which Mr .Murdoch mentioned at Saturday’s meeting of the Executive. Gold to the value of some millions was won from the upper levels worked at Kumara by t he'means available in those days, but the lower strata lias never been tested. Here is scope for enterprise for the Mines Department, it is levying now on gold won, and to encourage more being won some of the taxation should be returned to practical prospecting. The Department has its staff of scientific men, including those developing knowledge in geophysical tests, and there is scope in the Westland goldfields t,o investigate the value of tile deep levels. At Ross in.the early days, great treasure was recovered from the deep workings, and that example is an incentive to seek further wealth lying below. At the sustained price of gold, there is every encouragement to search for fresh deposits, and the country might well evolve a policy to further new discoveries. The gold "mining industry gave New Zealand its initial start in drawing population to the country. It is possible that revived by finds not at all remote, the industry would again do- much for the general salvation of the country.