WESTLAND'S FUTURE INDUSTRY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1240, 26 February 1878, Page 3

WESTLAND'S FUTURE INDUSTRY.

It is satisfactory to find, says the "West Coast Times," that at length public spirit has been 60 far awakened in connection with prospecting the Taipo reefs as to lead to the formation of a small company, whose object will be to test that locality thoroughly. Of their ultimate success there can bo little doubt, for the stone is there in quantity, and defined reefs of quartz can bo found in abundance. That these are auriferous has been proved beyond all question by repeated tests, one of which was the trial of 5 cwt. of stone from Griffiths' Enterprise lease some two years ago, which yielded, on being crushed at one of the banks here, gold at the rate of soz. to the ton. In tin's claim there are two defined reefs, one about 3ft. in thickness, from which the quartz above referred to was taken. The operations of the new company will bo commenced, we believe, some little distance from this spot, but on the same line. The venture has every probability of being profitable to a degree, and the enterprise of the shareholders cannot be lauded too highly. As we have already stated, portions of the Taipo reefs have been already proved, and the diligent exploration about to be made will assuredly add triumphant testimony to the value of previous discoveries. Though little has been said lately about the reefs at Donnelly's Creek, ve are informed on authority most reliable, that one small company there are sluicing the detached small pieces and earth, next toja reef, and are getting about an ounce to the ton therefrom, reserving the tailings for crushing when machinery is available. Should, as is most probable, a substantial quartz-mining industry be established in the Taipo district, it will have the effect of stimulating prospecting, and will induce miners ;to thoroughly test the numerous reefs known to intersect many parts of Westland, but which are now supposed to be worthless. The Taipo Company, however, have not been discouraged by the past, and they deserve the warmest encouragement of the whole community. If they meet with ■the success that seems to bo almos'i assured they will initiate a new era in this part of Westland, and thero is yet hope that a second Rcefton may be founded within a few miles of our doors.