PROSPECTING FOR GOLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 11

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD

THE WAIORONGOMAI AREA REVIVAL OF ACTIVITY ENCOURAGING DISCOVERIES [FROM OUR OWN correspondent] TE AROHA, Thursday After a lapse of 25 years a tost consignment of gold-bearing quartz was carried down from the new workings on the Premier reef at Waiorongoinai a few days ago. Though the quantity taken was comparatively small, it marks a definite milestone in the efforts to revive the gold mining industry in the district. The quartz will be crushed and assayed at Thames. During the past 18 months Waiorongomai has come in for much attention from gold seekers, and recently some encouraging 6trikcs have been made. The old field, which extends over a vast valley running deep into the ranges, has been thoroughly prospected. Many new claims have been pegged and are being worked. Unemployed labour has been utilised in clearing and grading a new track which links up with the low-level line leading to tho old Bendigo battery, a rusting relic of the feverish activities of the past. The three main claims are McCoy's, Pond's and Hardy's, on all of which men are engaged. Mr. M. Y. Hardy has property extending over the entire Premier section, and the Hero, Colonist and McLean drives. These were all once famous names. Mr. liardy has spent tho last year timbering and draining the shafts on bis claim, and now has them in practical working order. He has prospected the area and his discoveries hav« been most encouraging.

There are over miles of tunnelling on the section, which give access to reefs of varying nature. The largest reef is situated in the Ilero mine. Along the roof runs the 12in. air pipe line little the worse for sealing up in a damp mine for over 25 years. In the early days the Premier, before being taken over and worked by a syndicate, yielded over £21,000 in gold and £9OOO in base metals. It has an elevation of 1500 ft., and rises in a 400 ft. outcrop from the main reef. The consignment sent to Thames by Mr. Hardy is quartz from a vein discovered by him recently. Should the assay reports come up to expectations prospects at AVaiorongomai will be very bright. ACTIVITIES ON KAWARAU SOME GOOD RETURNS REPORTED [HY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DUNEDIN, ThursdayWhile results of mining on the Kawarau River during' the week suffered in comparison with the previous period, a number of prospectors are credited with winning very payable yields. For the first week everyone made for the section below the Roaring Meg, hut when the slight rise covered the rich beaches there the prospectors sought new fields. Two parties near Waitiri are reported to have had a very profitable week. The results of the first week's work were not over-estimated and were somewhat better than the figures given indicated. For the first week three parties, one working for the full week and the other two for three days, cleaned up between them £9O worth of gold. Many have won up to an ounce a day and are still doing so. Therefore, the aggregate return must amount to well over £2OO worth on this particular section of the river. Visitors to the Kawarau dam state.that a good deal of water is leaking under the gates. The level of the Molyneux River has receded to no appreciable extent during the week. Miners are still busily engaged on both sides of the river and are receiving varying amounts. The largest find reported was that of a party of miners from Moa Creek, who have made about £3 each since the gates were closed. Their claim i s some miles down the river from Alexandra.