MARBLE DEPOSIT IN SOUTHLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1921, Page 1

MARBLE DEPOSIT IN SOUTHLAND.

"EQUAL TO TDK BKST SICILIAN.” IN'.'KIK A PC ILL, .June 3u "Equal !■ Die best Sicilian" was the v.ay a sample of marble found in the eastei n (list iid was described to a Soutblaml Times icpoitcr by .Mr A. I). Amleixm, a local marble mason, with ■l2 years experience. The sample was brought to town bv a man ulm found it

21 years ago, and at the same time lie located what promises to lie a very large deposit of the same quality. He took the piece to Timnrti and showed it to an old mason, who became so interested that lie started lor Southland to view the locality, but sickness intervened during his journey, and he had to rotuni. The investigations were not proceeded with. The man who made the find almost forgot about the matter until recently. De lias now become sufficiently convinced that bis find is likely to prove valuable to stake a claim over tin l area.

The sample of which Mr Anderson speaks so enthusiastically has served to keep a house door ajar during the past twenty years. "My wife used to throw it into the garden periodically, and 1 would bring it back,” said the finder. Mr Anderson lias worked kite

lumstive a test as possible of its quality, and he is quite .satisfied that- if the rest of the marble is as good, and is there in quantity, New Zealand should lie dependent on Italy no longer, for the 1 jc*st marble, except of the statuarv class.

i It is understood that the deposit is 1 in tiic region of the llokonui Mountains. Thorough investigations in regard to the size of the deposit and the ’ general quality of the stone are to lie undertaken immediately.