The Lure of Gold.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1931, Page 6

The Lure of Gold.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I have read Mr A. H. Tamblyn’s letter in Saturday’s issue in connection with gold mining in Otago Central. Mr Tamblyn i§ known to the writer and is a highly respected resident of the Roxburgh district. Much that Mr Tamblyn says is quite correct. In most cases the easily got at gold has been gathered in years ago, but I am sure Mr Tamblyn will admit that millions of pounds worth of gold still remain to be won in the deep leads, reefs, and in the rivers of Otago and Southland. There can be no two opinions as to the gold in the Kawarau River. When th# river has been low in the winter time, f have seen as much as £2O worth of gold taken out of a small crevice in the course of less than one hour’s work. The Kawa. rau rises suddenly and a dam below the Arrow River is required before the gold can be won. Such a dam would enable the gorge between Alexandra and Roxburgh to be worked also. In 1930 over £4O worth of gold was taken from the old Hartley and Riley claim at Cromwell in two days by two visitors to the district. They intended to keep going, but a rise in the river compelled them to cease work. There is a great deal of gold left in the Molyneux River between Cromwell and Clyde, and present day dredges could make a good recovery and yield dividends that would make the old Hartley and Riley returns look small. It is estimated that there are £50,000,000 worth of gold in the cemented material at Lawrence. The crushing of this material should not present any difficulties with our present day machinery. There are rich reefs in all parts of the province of Otago, and there are great possibilities of high returns from various reefs from Ida Valley to Palmerston South. I quite agree with Mr Tamblyn that the old methods and the easily won gold are a thing of the past.. Our gold mining of the future must be done on a large scale with up-to-date machinery, and when that is done our gold production will eclipse the records of our palmiest gold-producing days. The writer is very well acquainted with all parts of the goldfields of Otago and Southland and has a knowledge of the returns of some of the claims that are being worked. An outsider is always told that returns are small. One “ tucker" claim that was worked for about ten years in Otago enabled the two owners to retire with investments that brought them in £1250 per annum. This claim was worked out in the space of ten years. The owners always said they w’ere only making “ tucker,” but the truth was that they were saving. about £2500 per annum. In conclusion, I would say to those thinking of going to Otago in search of gold: “ D<>a*t go unless you are well equipped and hire gold mining experience.”—l am, etc., OTAGO, Christchurch, July 11.