The Thames Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1907. THINGS IN GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10302, 24 July 1907, Page 2

The Thames Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1907. THINGS IN GENERAL.

-' . THE MINING. INDUSTRY. . PRESENT AiND FUTURE. We notice that the Hon. J. MoGowan -has 6a Govemmeut papers and reports, <ra minerals and mining some appropriate remarks to pass on the .. mining industry of New Zealand. The period dealt with-refers to the season of two year's back when -the export of gold was- the. nicest' reached for yean, viz., £580,763. Mr MbGowan refers with evident satisfaction to tlie improved prospects throughout New Zealand and refers specially to the high degree of production maintained in the North Island—on the Hauraki Peninsula*. The Minister notes, with reference tb Waihi, that the ore. bod- ► ie*. continue to< maintain their characteristic! siges at the lowest levels yet reached, and also that a large , output is assured for a. long: period. The prospects talfc Karaogahake are brwdy touched upon, and the opinion is expressed'that the Talisman mine ■ yewtla show a substantial increase in output—a prediction that has been fully verified 1. As to Thames reference is of course made to the now famous Wsiotahi mine, and tb the impetus that the remarkable discovery made " hv this anine has given to miningl on tfc« field generolly. With regard to . ti» pxnpio£ plant Ac opinion is ventiur«d 4^t this valuable machinery witt. yelHSserve pbodi purpose in the , deivelopdiienti of the lower levels of Thames, and-the incident* of the present^ year would show that here again practical steps will be taken towards the achievement of tins most important result. As to other mineral produttfi kauri pun*, sdieeike, petroleuniv etd., wrference need not be made here. In th« matter of profr pectintr subsidie« we ' note that the snmll sum of £1822 was expended in subsidies to prospecting associations and parties of miners actually engaged in prospe-tin-7 durintr the year then ended. Tin's sum is totally inadequate for the rjurpose, though its attenuated form mn.r be due to the fnrt tW t?»p MPni^r is dissatisfied at the cowfftions th«it exist in so far as the* relate to prospecting 1. "I ini^it " here express ap opinion, says the

Hori; Mr McGowan, "that the day of the one mam prospector, however useful he may hare been, proved under earlier conditions, must be recognised as past, and to this end the regulations will be amended. In the best interests of tfte mining! industry and the State, prospecting needs to be on more systematic) lines. The success attendingl the labour of the Ufeper Biaakwaiter Miners' Association which recently made what appears to foe a valuable discovery about twenty miles from Reefton, shows what may 'be accomplished in this direction. While the Government will be ready to assist in work of this character, it is time to cry a halt in the distribution of subsidies to one or two men. What is needed in these times is larger parties, more capital, and the co-operation of the geologist and mineralogist with the practical miner." This last opinion has been accentuated in our columns ■on frequent occasions, and we have strenuously advocated the formation at the Thames of an assoiationi on the lines indicated. There is ample unprospected axfriferous area lying east of Thames of ami association on the lines such an association, and 1 we hope that the matter will not be lost sight of. With the assistance and co-operation of the Geological Survey Department, experienced and trustworthy practical naomers, under the guidance of a fully qualified! mine manager, we believe that the .discoveries made would amply repay the district for the outlay. There are other pertinent remarks' in Wie publication under notiete .wHich hare an important bearing upon ihe mining: and allied industries to which detailed! reference will be made from time to time. It is evident!, however, that the Minister for Mines has the interests of the Colony and this important branch of industry at heart).and he has already given earnest of this in his liberal treatment of the proposal put 'before him for the sinking of the ThamesHauraki shaft.