THE LIVINGSTONE GOLDFIELDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 12

THE LIVINGSTONE GOLDFIELDS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have to thank you, on behalf of my company, for the kind manner in which you have given publicity to the areas which we have recently tested at Livingstone. One of your correspondents, Mr Richard H. Cook, has told us a great deal about what he considers to be the failings of the held, but he does not mention in either of his letters that he is a farmer, interested in farming on parts of these areas, which are held under leases subject to their not being required for mining purposes. May I suggest that possibly this factor has caused Mr Richard H. Cook to be somewhat biased in his opinions,. no doubt quite unintentionally.—l am, etc., W. M. Gimson, A.R.S.M., London. Christchurch, October 8. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I have followed with interest the letters that have appeared in your columus regarding the Livingstone goldfield. In some cases writers have spoken disparagingly of the old miners. I wish' to say that the miners of Livingstone were hard-working, honest, and capable men, and their mining operations were carried out on the best possible lines and their percentage of gold saved compared more' than favourably with some of our presentday mines where the so-called new methods are operating. It is a Well-known fact that all mining engineers of any standing pay great attention to the opinions of experienced miners, as they know that in mining, as in all other things, an ounce of practical knowledge is worth a ton of theory.

The gold at Livingstone is patchy, and it is a “poor man’s” field, but if the new company will put men in charge with practical knowledge and arrange to put large quantities of materia} through, I see no reason why the venture should not be a success. Large quantities of water will be required, and I do not see why this cannot be arranged for. I would not favour working Golden Gully at the present time, as this was too well worked 30 years ago. It certainly contains some gold, but other parts of the field offer much better opportunities for winning the precious metal. The success or failure of the new company at Livingstone depends on careful management. It does not do to think that your chickens are swans. In other words, keep down to earth and be satisfied with moderate returns and do not .think in millions.—l am, etc., North Otago. Christchurch, October 8.