GOLD TO BE FOUND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 10

GOLD TO BE FOUND

A new head has been appointed to the Mines Department, prompting the hope that he will bring with him the energy, initiative and vision that will secure a development of New Zealand's mineral deposits, particularly gold, commensurate with the known potentialities. Mr. Tyndall, the new Under-Secretary, is an engineer of wide general experience, and in the last ten years has specialised in road construction. Apparently he is not an expert in gold mining, but lack of specialised training and knowledge need not prove a handicap. Mr. Tyndall can readily obtain the guidance of experts. As UnderSecretary he will require more the qualities of a good business man — deciding, directing, encouraging. In organising his department Mr. Tyndall would do well to consider strengthening the scientific side, with particular reference to geology and the new geophysical methods of finding gold. There can be no doubt that there are widespread deposits of undiscovered alluvial gold in Otago and on the West Coast of the South Island. More scientific direction and advice should be forthcoming to uncover and exploit these deposits, and also to prospect the reefs of the Hauraki goldfields. In the past, the department has not helped ■as it might have done. The financial possibilities of successful development make this a national question of the first magnitude.-Mr. Tyndall should see it as such and set about supplying the answer. When the price of gold rose after September, 1931, production increased rapidly in the following year. The price inducement was even greater last year, yet in the first ten months exports of gold were about 20,0000z. less than in the first ten months of 1932. The decrease is ail the more surprising-in view of the greatly augmented assistance given by the Unemployment Board in 1933. It would seem that more energy, coupled with imagination, is required in departmental administration, ia. lack which, it may be hoped, Mr. Tyndall will be able to supply.