DISCOVERY OF A BED OF TRIPOLI AT WAINUI.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 541, 20 September 1881, Page 2

DISCOVERY OF A BED OF TRIPOLI AT WAINUI.

Mr D. Kennedy, jun., discovered abed of very light white earth on his father's property at Wainui, and in April last he sent a sample to Professor Bickerton for analysis. He received the following replies :— Canterbury College, Laboratory Department, Christchurch, June 20th, 1881. Memorandum for D Kennedy, Esq., jun., Akaroa. Sir, —Herewith I forward report on the analysis of th<? sample of mineral sent by you. You will observe that this substance, although not a clay, is a valuable and useful material. I might mention foryour information that prepared Tripoli in England is very valuable. If you have no objection to the discovery of this Tripoli being made public, I should like to know a few particulars about the deposit, mode of occurrence, probable size, &c, since it is a matter of scientific interest. With regard to the mineral sent with your letter of Saturday last, it has been examined and found to be calcareous spar (carbonate of lime). —Yours truly, A. W. Bickerton. Report on the analysis of a sample of diatomaceous earth received from Mr D. Kennedy April 22nd, 1881.

Physical Characteristics. A soft white material, very light and exceedingly fine. A microscopic examination showed it to consist main'y of diatomacja Percentage Composition. Adherent moisture ... 4 - 90 per cent. Loss on ignition ... S'GO „ Silica 83-45 „ Alumina .... 2-10 „ Iron ... 173 „ Lime ... '50 „ Magnesia ... ... '81 ~ Alkalies 1-29 „ Tot.il 100-38 ~ As will bo seen bj the above analysis, this substance is not a clay as supposed, but a diatomaceoiis earth or Tripoli It is more particularly suitable for polishing purposes, but would also serve in the inanu facture of glass and porcelain, and consequently, should it occur in quantity, it will prove a very useful material. A. W. BICKEHTOM, Colonial Analyst. Canterbury College, Laboratory Department, Christchurch, July 26th, 1881. Memorandum for D. Kennedy, Esq., juh. Sir—ln reply to your letter of the sth and telegram of the sth inst., the reason of the delay in answering your letter has been in consequence of our waiting to gather.all the information possible with regard to Tripoli. Its industrial uses are— Manufacture of dynamite, silicate of soda, and porcelain, polishing glass, &c. It would therefore perhaps be Bdvisable to send specimens to manufacturers of these articles (whose names you might easily ascertain by referring to trade circulars and directories), and get them to offer you a price for the Tripoli. We have shown the sample to Professor Yon Haast, and he has kindly offered to send a sample to Hamburg for you ; he would also like a specimen for the Canterbury Museum. A. W. Bickerton.

The seam is from 3ft to 4ft thick, and is about 4ft from the surface, so that it can be easily woiked. The discovery is therefore a most important one, and it is to be hoped that it will herald the establishment of a new industry and new article of export at Akaroa.