THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2643, 21 January 1908, Page 4

THE MINING INDUSTRY.

TO THE EDITOR, L.W.U. Sir,—l find in my letter published in your last weeks issue, that a mistake was made in printing the word " undiscovered'' instead of "unnoticed." My object in mentioning this is that it is almost impossible for anybody to inspect what is not discovered. On the other hand, by the word " unnoticed " I mean to indicate that there are good quartz lodes laid bare or have been slightly prospected which, after trial crushings, did not come up to the owners' sanguine expectations, whether through faulty management or not. In this class I would mention just now a few old claims. There is what is known as Tom McHatty's claim in which "Tom' 1 worked by himself and crushed up stone with a wooden Dolly for a considerable time. Then there is the Cristol, of which even non-competent miners are confident that the lode is payable and could be got again by driving a short distance tunnel. Then thert is a reef in Butchers Creek, also the Conubia. The latter claim was worked and payable quartz was taken out by the Dunlop brothers, who sold out to a party which put an extensive plant on the ground and brought a race in at great expense. After a few crushings they ceased work. Rumour said that most of the gold went with the tailings. Thereafter tributors took some crushings out and they also failed to give satisfaction. Rumour again said as before. No pyrites were saved. Yet the late Harry Dunk6r and others, who knew the claim, have told me that they are confident that the claim could be made payable. Then there is the Prince of Wales, the Alexandra, etc., etc. The ground worked by Southberg and party in the vicinity of the British American, from which a quantity of quartz was sent to Dunedin for analysis, gave a result of several ounces to the ton. Yet the crushing was very moderate. And there is a definite lode at Maori Point which did not yield satisfactory returns, and yet Mr Win. Calwell and the late Mr Scott told me that they knew of good stone in the claim. There are several quartz lodes at the Head of the Lake. Some are simply scratched on the surface and nobody can tell what like they are at a depth of 20 feet. To such abandoned, but not worked out reefs, I beg respectfully to draw the worthy Professor's attention. Should the latter accept my statements in reference to the almost untried lodes and should his observations and geological survey warrant him to report favourably of this district, he may also recommend that a set of prospectors be got and combine with the prospecting the work of making tracks and place guiding poles on conspicous parts, especially from Skippers to the West Coast or vice versa. Some huts and shelter sheds might be built for camping places for prospectors, travellors and tourists, thus taking the first step to unfold the hidden treasures and open to the adventurers and 'scenic seekers, Natures finest panorama. The said suggested prospectors could also set free game like pheasants, Californian quail, etc., also big game, such as reindeer, etc., which would thrive and multiply on the Coast line. The latter abounds in vegetation, berries for birds and bush for big game, and there are no rabbits-destroying grain or natural enemies. Thanking you in anticipation for publication.—l am, etc., J. Wexkhedi. Queenstown, Jan. 18, 1908.