OPENING OF RIVER DAM

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1935, Page 9

OPENING OF RIVER DAM

MINERS SUFFER LOSSES “500 LOSE THEIR EMPLOYMENT.” COMPLAINT MADE BY A WORKER. ALLEGATIONS FROM KAWARAU. By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. A miner from the Kawarau district complained to-day that the sudden opening of the dam gates had resulted m the men working there, estimated to number 500, losing most of their belongings, as tools and cradles were washed away by the river. He stated that the gates were opened without any warning and the river rose seven feet overnight. The gates were opened on a Sunday when most of the men were away for their week’s supplies. They returned too late to retrieve most of their belongings. The opening of the gates meant that practically all the men, mostly unemployed, were thrown once more on tho unemployed list. When the gates were closed in 1932 the lake rose seVen inches, said the miner. This year it rose only two inches, and with hard frosts there was no danger of a flood. The river went down seven feet, and this gave the men a splendid chance of working their claims. Several miners had claims along the river banks ranging from one to five acres, and he himself had already taken out £5O worth of gold. The miner added that he had just worked, into richer ground when down came the river and he had to abandon his claim. That the ground was well worth working was shown by the fet that in 1932 he and his brother took out 83 ounces of gold valued at £5OO. They fully expected to exceed that sum this year, but their hopes were now dashed.

While he has been at Invercargill the miner has been in touch with the Hon. Thomas O’Byrne, M.L.C., who is taking Up the matter with the Minister Of Mines, aS he thinks it a matter for Government intervention. Mr. O’Byme is also communicating with Mr. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, to see whether a visit can be paid to the locality. He considers it a most serious thing that 500 men should be thrown Out of work at a time like the present. inquiry in Connection With the opening of tee gates Was made at Queenstown tO-iiight. It Was Stated that it Was ndt correct to say that 500 meh had been affected. The river was Under the control of the Kawarau River Board, which licensed miners, and the only men there in recent weeks had been picking over ground that had already been prospected.