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Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 48

On Wednesday (says the Southland Times) several Invercargill business people journeyed to Waikaia to witness the first demonstration of a novel method of obtaining gold from shallow water courses, creeks, or sand beaches. The inventor, Mr Isaac Denston, of Ohai, controlled operations. The machine v.-as’ loaded at Ohai on a motor lorry, conveyed to Waikaia on Tuesday, and was ready for work within one hour after being landed on the ground. The machine may be described as a mechanical cradle with gold saving appliances to hold the gold. The cradle is driven by a small oil engine which also operates a pump that supplies water for washing the gold-bearing deposit. The demonstration was entirely’ satisfactory, and it is anticipated that the invention will supply’ a long-felt yvant and enable many small claims to be yvorked on a payable basis.

An offer by the Education Department to supply wall charts prepared by the New Zealand Alliance for use in schools, led to some discussion at last week’s meeting of the Wanganui Education Board. Mr M. H. Oram said it seemed a onesided proposition. He yvould look with a great deal of suspicion on anything prepared by the New Zealand Alliance. ’ In the past it had been most misleading. Mr J. K. Hornblow said it was manifestly unfair of Mr Oram to make such a statement. There yvas misleading propaganda on the other side. Mr J. S. Tingey said he thought that the material prepared by the Neyv Zealand Alliance was very reliable, and in this he yvas supported by Mr James Aitken. Mr Aitken: The other side have not put anything in the schools. Mr Oram: They soon will if they are asked. It yvas finally decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting and obtain a specimen of the charts in the meantime.