SEARCH FOR GOLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 11

SEARCH FOR GOLD

ACTIVITIES AT CROMWELL A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY CONDITIONS OF LICENCES [by telegram—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday "For tho first time in Now Zealand in tho case of gold, though it has been made use of in connection with oil, a geophysical survey has been undertaken," stated Mr. A. 11. Iviinboll, Under-Seorotnry of Mines, who returned yesterday from a tour of goldmining activities in tho South. Mr. Kimbell gave some interesting details concerning activities at Cromwell Flat. A geophysical survey party had Icon busily engaged making a survey of Cromwell Flat, he said. A substantial portion of tho work had been completed and a cross section, illustrating tho position so far, had been prepared. "Work on the preparation of a plan of tho survey was also in hand. This work was highly scientific and specialised. Tho leader in charge of the group had had extensive experience in Europe and also previously in New Zealand. In two instances the soundness of geophysical survey work already carried out had boon confirmed by mining operations which lent encouragement to tho belief of many people that a lead did exist across Cromwell Flat. Tho result of the survey, it was clafmcd, would enable thoso who engaged in mining activities to plan their work so that they would be able to roach this lead-.without incurring unnecessary expenditure in tunnelling in directions which might bo at wrong angles. Steps were being taken to check survey data with subsequent mining operations. Although geophysical surveys had been employed in South Africa, in Europe and in other countries, this was the first time a geophysical survey had boon made in New Zealand for gold, though it had been previously carried out for oil. The extent to which the pegging out of claims in the Cromwell district had taken place would be hard for anyono who had not visited tho area to appreciate, said Mr. Kimbell. The plan of the flat looked like a reproduction cf Joseph's coat or a crazy quilt, every inch of it being pegged out by somebody, while above the flat, tho Clutha, flawea and Cardrona Rivers, as well as the terraces, were - " pegged out for 30 miles. "Up to the present tho Minister of Mines has consented to only a small proportion of tho very large number of applications which liavo been mado to tho Warden's Court for prospecting licences," continued Mr. Kimbell. "He has, when consenting to those which already have been granted, imposed conditions so as to confine prospecting operations to tunnelling, shafting and boring in order to protect the surface of tho land as much as possible, and the applicants in all such cases have agreed in writing to allow the Government 5 per cent of the gold won by the licensees. Such moneys will be credited to the Consolidated Fund. Tho Minister is keeping a very close watch on these mining activities personally, and his action in holding up the granting of. the majority of licences has been fully justified by subsequent events." SALE OF A CLAIM PRICE OF £15,000 REPORTED [by telecraph—OWN correspondent] DUNEDIN, Tuesday It is reported from Cromwell that Mr. William Bell has disposed of his Four X. claim on the flat for £15,000. This claim is situated on the banks of the Kawarau above a claim hold by Ounce, Limited. A further report states that an area of about 200 acres on tho Kawarau, hold by Mr. William Murray, one of tho vendors of the BeilKilgour Company's claim, is under offer to a promoting company for £40,000.