SEARCH FOR GOLD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 6

SEARCH FOR GOLD.

geophysical survey

WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. The extension of geophysical survey work with the object of assisting the gold-mining industry now that such a marked revival has occurred was discussed in a statement made yesterday by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. \\. Forbes, in his capacity as Minister in Charge of the <• Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. He said the department was co-operating with the Unemployment Board, so that, by means of expert surveys, payable areas could be located and worked. Mr Forbes said he had directed that the efforts of the geological survey officers should bo concentrated on soil survey with a view to increased efficiency of fertilisers; and on assistance to the Mines Department and Unemployment Board in regard to goldmining. Already the geological survey had made reports on many areas of interest to the Unemployment Board, but the work w-as now being intensified. Arising from the ordinary geological investigations, however, certain proposals had arisen calling for a trial of the new geophysical methods of prospecting to find whether these could economically be applied. The first proposal had regard to the possibility of a very large area, several hundred square miles, of auriferous conglomerate overlying the schist bottom in Central Otago. A bulletin was in preparation on the subject, but, if proved, it would offer scope for large-scale mining operations. “It is essential/’ said Mr Forbes, “that every possible geological and technical assistance should be given in gold-mining if it is to develop as a profitable industry, and the Mines Department is working hand in hand with the department in the developments, while private enterprise is becoming alive to orderly methods of procedure in development, which, though slower, are surer in the long run.’’