PROSPECTING MINERAL WEALTH IN NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9301, 30 July 1908, Page 2

PROSPECTING MINERAL WEALTH IN NEW ZEALAND.

' ' ■ ♦ — : — ENERGETIC ACTION SUGGESTED. [Fbou Otjb Cobbespondent.] WELLIiNGTOiS, July 30. In the course of the Mines Statement, the Minister of Mines makes reference to prospecting in New Zealand. "Liberal assistance," he states, "is offered under the mining regulations for prospectors, £2 being given for £1 expended by a local authority or a Miners' Association, £1 per man per week to small parties engaged in prospecting new ground, and. up to 6s per foot for tunnelling or driving through hard rock. Whilst the State has for years encouraged small parties of pro>apectors, it cannot be affirmed that the results have been commensurate with "the expenditure. It would, therefore, appear that the time has now arrived for a forward move. Prospecting parties under the control of the Mines Department should be properly equipped, and endeavours' made to discover new lodes of auriferous quartz, deep leads of alluvial gold, or economic minerals. These parties would require to have thoroughly practical miners at their head, and should be guided in the selection of locality by the advice of a Government geologist. In this connection, the Geological Survey branch, which is carrying on extensive explorations, should be able to afford valuable assistance. Small parties of prospectors have, as a rule, kept too close to the beaten tracks of the old workings. An endeavour should now be_ made to penetrate into outside districts, and so pave the way for mining devolpments in portions of the dominion that are at present little known. " I would like to emphasise the fact that as the miner gave a great impetus to settlement in the early days, so he will be found the settlers' best > friend in time to come, for he will provide the nucleus for industries and settlements w.hich must eventually become the backbone of this dominion. New Zealand has great stretches of mountain ranges that are as yet but partially explored. If we oast our eyes around the world we see that it is from similar chains of mountains that a large portion of the mineral wealth is obtained. It is our bounden duty to neglect no opportunity of exploring the back country, for it is there to a great degree we must look for new discoveries of auriferous quartz lodes and economic minerals. The construction of roads and tracks has already done much to open up places that were to a great extent formerly inaccessible, and that policy must be continued, so as to allow the pioneer miner every opportunity of pursuing his hazardous and often ill-requited labours."