Mining in Nelson

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 137, 19 June 1888, Page 2

Mining in Nelson

— m We have to acknowledge receipt of a pamphlet entitled "The Minerals of Nelson," being a reprint of an article by Mr H. P. Washbourn, read before the Nelson Philosophical Society, in February last, which has been incorporated in the transactions of the New Zealand Institute. The subject is very ably handled, and while showing how the vast mineral resources of Nelson have been neglected, or mismanaged, points out how they may he advantageously and properly developed. Mr Washboubn's idea is to have one central establishment where the materials required (that is fuel and flux) are cheaply obtained, and the necessary appliances, skilled labor, and knowledge can be concentrated to treat any and all ores, The opening of reduction works in a position available to all New Zealand would have a very useful and encouraging effect on all mining. Ores of all kinds would have a marketable value, and the present uncertainty of the market value of an ore would be done away with. The length of time.'a mine may last is too uncertain to warrant the expenditure necessary for treating the ores economically; and, although a mine may have a few or even a good' many tons of good ore to treat, it is necessary that there should be a very large quantity proved before erecting furnaces, &c. The consequence of thiß is that much valuable ore is lost, because it is scattered about the country, a few tons here and a few tons there, not sufficient in any one place to put up the costly plant for, but which could be brought to a central establishment if such existed. A central reduction works would also have the advantage of not being dependent on any one mine, so that if some failed, . others would be coming forward. The 1 author believes smelting works could be worked profitably at Parapara, Collingwood, if the necessary capital and knowledge were brought to bear on it.