IRON MINES IN TASMANIA.

Evening Star, Issue 3045, 21 November 1872, Page 4

IRON MINES IN TASMANIA.

Tasmania has not of late been without its excitements. It has been stirred by rumors, and in some cases, something more than rumors, of reviving industry. Our gold prospects (says the Hobart Town correspondent of the Argus), very much dimmed some two years ago, by the mania in mining manufacture, are becoming brighter. The diggings on the Hollyer River in the north, long looked upon as poor though extensive, have lately sent in some good returns ; and in other localities, industrious, if not large, mining populations are said to be doing well. But so far as we can yet judge, it ie in gold that Tasmania’s mineral wealth principally consists. The presence of iron has been long known, but it is only quite recently that the actual development of this source of wealth has been entered on. At Ilfracombe and Yorktown, on the banks of the Tamar ; at the Leven and other places, but all in the north, ground is being taken up, and companies formed, in some eases, we fear, with too great pretensions to extensive undertakings. The presence of iron is known in various other quarters throughout the Colony. In the neighborhood of Hobart Town it exists in various directions; but, with the usual apathy, no advantage is being taken of the knowledge. Same inclined to invest fail to see a profitable market, or how in the circumstances of this or the other Colonies our iron can be turned to proper account. At any rate, there is the usual waiting on till the result of the movi nient in Hie north is ascertained. Should tlie expectations of those who see future untold wealth in working our iron d- posits be realised, a great impetus would be given to the development of our coal mines.