Western Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1941. PLATINUM

Western Star, 29 August 1941, Page 2

Western Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1941.

PLATINUM

TO OUR READERSWe would remind you that your quarterly subscription is now due. Owing to tli© very great increase in tli© cost of newsprint we are obliged to increase our subscription to 5/- per annum, delivered, or 6/6 posted.

One of the most valuable of war contributions would be an intensified, search in the Western District for platinum. It is a vital and essential element in so many of the important parts of modern machinery. Platinum for the make and break points in the timing apparatus of the motor-car is known to every motorist, but a. new essential need that it fulfils is in the make-up of the new bomb sights. In wlia.t wav is a secret, hut the mere mention that such material is both vital and valuable should be sufficient to warrlmt an intensified search by the local fossickers. Platinum is known to be in. the Western District'. It is found in. the sands and in other places, and a certain amount slowly drifts to the proper authorities, but only slowly and I Very sparsely. Those who know how to find this now more than valuable need should redouble their efforts in their search. Certain quantities are being sent from the Ural Mountains and from Canada to the Homeland, even by the smugglers. Now aeroplanes are being made nearer to New Zealand, and common sense indicates that a local supply would surely be a help. Undoubtedly, in ordinary times, platinum is recognised as a metal that has vital utilitarian values, far outclassing gold or silver-how much more so, then, in Avar time? The usual remark under such circumstances is usually “Got-to it!”. .