WESTLAND COUNTY MINING CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 26

WESTLAND COUNTY MINING CONFERENCE.

(- BOM 008 OWN COKBESPOKr>ENT.) A mining conference under the auspices of the Westland County Council was held at Hokitika on the 14th and 15th ult. Mr T. W. Duff (chairman of the county) presided over the delegates, and the Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald (Minister of Mines) and Captain S<;ddon, M.P., were present. The Chairman, having welcomed the Minuter of Mines expressed pleasure at seeing delegates representing all parts_ of the district. New Zealand owed its initial prosperity to the magio influence of the gold birds, and they must not forget the class of men who w.ero attracted and afterwards took part in assisting in settling the country, and no mean part in its government. He briefly glanced at the history of the Mines Department. Of late years the gold-mining industry had not had the care and attention from the Government it ghoul i have had, and it was pleasing to learn through the press that the Hon. Mr Macdonald wa3 about to take steps to revise the_ department as a more active and progressiva branch of the Dominion administrators. During tho war much unaided prospecting had been going on, and var.'oas projects had been entered upon involving a large expenditure, which showed tho public confidence in the latent resources of Westland. Tho country needed a general mining policy. Liberal State aid was given to agriculture and industries, and the fame line of fostering policy was desired for mining. Sudsidies in these times of increased cost of living and buying were needed, tha roading and opening up of the auriferous back country was needed, and a bureau of information on mining should be established. Tho Mines Department must be prepared to take some 6hare in the speculation which has to be faced, and the community must be prepared to play its part also. The miners and business people should band themselves together, form associations, and be in a position to approach the Government as a corporate body bent on assisting to do the greatest good to tho greatest number. In all our foldfields the secret of the deeper levels were still unrevaaled, and we knew but little of .the latent resources of the back country where the gold came from originally. Prospecting and more prospecting was necessary in their highly-mineralised country—not alone for gold, but for all kinds of minorals, traces of which had been found in great variety. Westland should as it were, a sub-district of the Mines Department. There should be established and fully equipped an office ana a staff to actively control prospecting and research work. The geological expert should be associated with tho experienced goldmines—alluvial, dredging, and reefing—in going thoroughly over tho Westland goldfields, and concluding what steps should be taken to further expand the industry either by probing the deeper levels or seeking for new finds sugfested by the existing evidences of gold eposits. This, was the broad task they were called together to urge upon the Government. He took it that, with his mind set en active and revisory policy, the Minister of Mines would lend a sympathetic ear, and from the expressions of opinion he would be able to draw some suggestions which would justify the calling together of the conference.

The Prospecting Regulations received most attention, and it was urged on tho Government that the rates of subsidies should be considerably increased, and that subsidies should be on a sliding scale, 60 that workers in back and difficult country would receive a higher rate than those nearer supplies, etc.; that the Government appoint an Advisory Committee in ' each mining district to investigate and report on mining propositions involving a Government subsidy of £250 or over. With a view to encourage prospecting it was suggested mining rates be not levied on prospecting areas for the first year of occupation, and that special claims on which plant is being installed bo exempt from rating until gold is being won ■Some discussion was caused by doubts being expressed as to the reliability of the keystone drill as a prospecting medium. It was ad-nitted that shafts were preferable to bores, out were not practicable in large members. Several delegates who had wido experience in boring operations were firmly of the opinion that, with_ a. competent engineer in charge, the drill was a very reliable test.

In connection with shaft-sinking it was pointed out that men engaged in sinking shafts less in size than is provided by Government regulations could not bo insured. Tho Government insists on a 7ft by 4ft shaft, centred, and with a ladder way. This "was considered altogether unnecessary in good country, acrid should be remedied. All the old-time shafts were about sft by 2ft 6in, and they were safe and filled all requirements. In connection with quartz-mining, it was suggested that the Government procure a portable battery, to be utilised in testing the different finds. As an* objection to this it wa3 stated that it was far preferable to test qi.artz by assays, but it was necessary that great care should be taken in procuringl samples. It was suggested that a School of Mines be opened, when all the mineral specimens ox the district could be gathered, properly named and displayed for the information of tho community. A plea was also pat in for the restoration of the Mining Magazine, which wont out of circulation some years ago. Altogether much valuable information was gathered, and the interchange of ideas will be mutually beneficial. Tho Wcstland Countv Council is to be commended on its initiative in bringing"-the conference together, and in placing the needs of a muobnegl.ected industry before the Minister of Mines NOKOMAI HYDRAULIC SLUICING COMPANY. In presenting the twenty-first annual report, the directors regret that the shortage of labour continued throughout the year. There being no apparent signs of any improvement, they have, as an additional inducement to workmen to enter tho company's employ, decided to give them a bonus on profits, as detailed in, tho accompanying sheet. At the last annual meeting a dividend of Is was declared, but since then returns have gone down to such an extent that the reserve account has had to be drawn on to tho amount of £2oo— that the gold is not in the ground, but becauso the company cotud not get men

to takes it out. No. 1 elevator has continued out of commission. No. 2 kept fairly well going, and produced during the year 710 oz 13dwt. No. 3, working with only one shift for much of its time, returned only 480 oz 13dwt. The total amount of gold produced for the year was 1191 oz 6dwt, valued at £4401 Is Id. The retiring directora are Messrs 11. Crust and A. Black. Mr Crust is eligible, and offers himself for re-election. Mr Black has decided to retire from the board. The directors regret Mr Black's retirement, and express their appreciation of his kindly cooperation with them, and careful attention to the company's interests since it originated m 1898. The auditor (Mr R, T. Wheeler) also retires, and offers himself again for re-election. DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. The week has been quite a busy one bo far as the local Stock Exchange is concerned. A considerable amount of business has been put through, and shares have been freely quoted throughout the week. In general there is a firm tone about the market, and in some instances a substantial rise in values has taken place. The exception is, as usual, the dredging market, which seldom shows any notablo degree of activity. There have been no sales of mining shares., which have received somewhat less than the usual attention. Waihis have not varied from the early quotation of £2 3s 3d, and £2 4s 9d, nor is there any appreciable difference in the value .of Waihi Grand June tion shares. Mount Lyell stock has not appeared very, often in the share list, but Talisman Consolidated shares have had regular inquiry at about 7s 6d, with a seller at Is more. Considerable activity resulted in several sales of Huddart-Parker shares, at prices ranging from £2 0s 3d to £2 2s. A parcel of the preference shares also changed owners early in the week at £1 Os 9d. P. and O. deferred . stock continues firm, the latest quotations being £4ll and £415, buyers and sellers respectively. New Zealand Paper Mill scrip has been the medium of business on several occasions at £1 7s 2d, and it was on offer on Friday at £1 7s 6d, without drawing a buver. Other sales during the week have been National Insurances at £3 15s, Dominion Rubbers at £1 12s 6d, and New Zealand Refrigerating shares (reported) at £2 17s 3d. Several lines of woollen company shares have been in firm demand, but sellers are apparently scarce at present. Buyers of Wilson Cement shares have advanced to 16s Bd, but sellers new want 17s 3d. For Dalgety's stock a buyer offered £lO .6s 6d on Friday, without result. Both issues of D.I.C shares have had regular inquiry, but sellers. have not been forthcoming. Bank stocks still command high prices. There have been buyers of Bank of New South Wales shares at £3B 10s, of Union Banks at £56 10s, aDd of Bank of New Zealands (new issue) at £lB 9s; but in no case have sellers been on the market. The only business transacted on Monday was a sale of Westport Coals at £1 lis. New Zealand Coal and Oil shares were on the market at 3s 9d~, but there was no buyer for them. Huddart-Parkers had a buyer at £2 is 6d, and a seller at £2 2s 6d, but no business resulted. Of insurance stocks Nationals were sought at £3 15s, and Standards at £2 15s, without sellers. Several other investment lines were in demand at firm prices, but sellers were scarce. The mining markot was inactive. The following aro Monday's latest quotations,, subject to the usual brokerage:— Mining Stocks Talisman Consolidated —Buyers 7s 6d, selIcrs 8s (x 3. Mount Lyell—Sellers £1 3s 6d. May 23.—Huddart-Parker, £2 Os 6d, £2 Is. Sale reported: New Zealand Refrigerating, £2 17s 3d. May 29. —National Insurance, £3 15s (two parcels); Huddart-Parker, £2 2s (five parcels); Dominion Rubber, £1 12s 6d; New Zealand Paper Mills, £1 7s, £1 7s 2d. May 30.—Huddart-Parker (ord.), £2 Is 6d. May 31. —Rise and Shine, lis (two-paroels); Dominon Rubber, £1 12s. June 2.—Westoorfc Coal, £1 lis.