MINERS IDLE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1935, Page 5

MINERS IDLE

KAWARAU DAM RE-OPENED. (Per Press Association, Copyright). INVERCARGILL, August 2. A • miner from the Kawarau district complained to-day tligt the sudden opening of the Kawarau Dam gates had resulted in the men working there, who are estimated to” number 500, losing most of their belongings, as their tools and cradles were washed away by the river.

The miner stated that the gates were opened without any warning and the river rose seven leet overnight. The gates were opened on a Sunday, when ,most of the men.,were away for their week’s supplies. They returned too late to retrieve most of their belongings.

The opening of the gates, he said, meant that practically ali the men • mostly unemployed—wore thrown once more on the unemployed list.

“When the gates were closed in ■ 1932 the lake rose seven inches,” said I the miner. “This year it rose onD two inches, and with hard frosts, there was no danger of a flood. r I he river went down seven feet, ancl this gave the men a splendid chance ot working their claims.” Several miners, ho i stated had claims along the river banks, ranging from one to five acres, and lie himself had already taken out £59 worth of gold. He added that he had just worked into richer ground, when down came the river, and he had jo abandon his claim. That the ground was well worth working was shown by iho fact that in 1932 he. and his brother took out 83 ounces of gukl valued at £5(10. They fully expected to exceed that sum this year, but then hopes were now dashed. While In- has been in Invercargill, the miner has been in touch with Hon. Thomas O’Byrne, M -L.C., who is taking the matter up with the Mmistei of Mines, as he thinks that it is a matter for Government intervention. Hon Mr O’Byrne is also communicating' with Mr M. J. Savage, the Leader of the Opposition, to see whether a visit can be paid to the locality. He considers that it is ft most serious thing that 500 men should he thrown out of work at a time like the present.

* REPLY TO COMPLAINT. INX V ERG AR GILL, August 2. Regarding the Kawarau Dam, an inquiry in connection with the opening of the dam gates was made at Queenstown to-night. It was stated that it was not correct, to say that 500 men had been affected. The river was under the control of tho Kawarau River Board.

This Board licensed minors. Tt was stated that the only men there in recent weeks bad been picking over ground that bad already boon prospected.