SEARCH FOR GOLD

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1932, Page 7

SEARCH FOR GOLD

COROMANDEL AND THAMES. PROSPECTORS AND TRIBUTERS. A survey of gold prospecting operations given by Mr. J. W. Smith, overseer in the Thames district under the Unemployment Board’s No. 5A scheme, shows that about 100 are engaged under the scheme. Before the scheme started last November very little gold was being produced at ■Thames, but between November and Christmas a considerable amount was obtained. Since Christmas the men have produced just on £5OO worth of gold and will receive on that a bonus when the bank returns are received from Australia. One party of prospectors, working in Mata Creek, below Tapu, had been prospecting for several months without success, but during the last week they struck some very rough gold in a small creek. Some could be classed as nuggets, and it was undoubtedly gold shed from some rich lode which has yet to be discovered. In the Tapu Creek there are six parties engaged, and two have very encouraging prospects. At Puhoi Creek, near the Mount Zeehan mine, a party of prospectors crushed eight tons of ore for a return of gold valued at £BB, on which they have yet to get the bonus.

At Tarafu Creek, north of the old Eclipse mine, several parties have exposed reefs, but it is too early yet to give anything definite as to the value. In regard to tributing operations, a party in the old Waiotahi mine has been meeting with very encouraging results. Several parties in the Lucky Shot at Moanataiari Creek have had as high as lOoz. to the ton. A-party in the old Moanataiari tunnel had a crushing of one ton of ore, which returned 9oz. of gold. They are now sinking to g.ct a larger block opened up on that area. A party in Te Papa Gully, at the back of Una Hill, had several crushings which reached over 3oz. to the ton.

Reviewing the operations under No. . 5 scheme, Mr. Smith said some of the parties had quite long distances to drive before, intersecting various reefs. Even if they did not strike it. right, the little gold won was a great help to the industry and the town.

A factor against the prospector was that the back country in the ? Coromandel Peninsula was very rough, and at this time of the year both wet and cold. The men have had to build their own camps and put up with severe hardships before (hey get their camps built. They had to carry all their goods and necessities out on their backs. A lot of the men had done marvellous work and deserved every encouragement, said Mr. Smith. Now that the days were lengthening there should be a big difference, concluded Mr.-Smith, for the men would be able to prospect further afield from their base camps. Taken all round, prospects for a revival in the mining industry were very encouraging.