QUARTZ REEFING

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1929, Page 3

QUARTZ REEFING

WILBERFORCE KEEPS. v The auriferous reefs of the Wilberforeo area, although known as tin. West land roofs, are really in Canteibury, being just across the borders »i Westland Province, about the headwaters of the Wilberforce River. The first discovery of go.d-boarl i.._ quartz there seems to have Keen maoin 1882 by C. S. McGregor, who foum. shoad stone ill tlie Wilberforce Rive, and traced it to its source, thus iis covering what lias since been known as the Wilson’s Reward reef. Bub sequent prospecting revealed the presence of many other reefs in the be. of argillites and grewaeke that here forms what may be termed the caof the alpine range, hut only a few <! them, apart from the. Wilson’s Reward, showed much promise ol bein;. of economic value. Next to the vee mentioned, the best values were found in Pfahlert’s and Fiddos’s reefs. Wilson’s Reward Reef.—This vee: was located on the south-eastern slopes of .Mount Harman, jibout mu mile north of Browning’s Pass, at an elevation of about 5,330 ft above acalevel, and it occurs in an area :n which a number of outcrops ol con sidcrahlc dimensions arc revealed. Bell describes these outcrops as bavin no definite alignment, but silggcstim’ a mineralised zone instead of a definite vein, the quartz occurring as large lens-shaped masses, which weaken in the direction of the strike, dm out, or are replaced by similar lenses The general strike corresponds wildthat of the strata, (the veins being of the bedded type) which is five degrees oast of north, with a dip to tic westward at from forty to sixty degrees. On tlie surface, Wilson’s Reward reef is said to have shown an outcrop about CiOft in length and 15 ft wide but under the surface debris it ma< continue for a- much greater distance. Shortly after its discovery by McGregor a syndicate was formed in Christchurch to prospect it. This syndicate is said to have taken out a parcel of 3 tons of ore, evidently gathered from the outcrop, which -a<i° sent to Auckland for treatment. Tim actual results from this parcel are uol known, but it is said the yield was at the rate of 13oz gold per ton. hollowing on this test, a claim coverin'- - the discovery was nnrdied for and granted, and the Wilberforce Goldmining Company was formed to work it. This company, in 1885, started e low-level tunnel from near the base o F the Wilberforce Valley' to cut the ro</ at depth. To reach thereof this add would have had to he driven at least 1.600 ft. but after penetrating I.oooft the company’s funds became exhausted. and it abandoned operations. Although the Wilson’s Reward reef was not met with, it is said, however, that at about 600 ft in from the portal another reef was passed through, from which tests of the quartz were made, with the result that it yielded by amalgamation 12dwt goTd per ton. After this abandonment of tlie ground the field was negleeetd till 1902, when Mr James D-arwad, -of Christchurch, who had been a shareholder in the company, visited the locality with a well-known Westland prospector, Mr R. Hyndnian, and did some further prospecting in the way of surface examination, hut severe weather prevented them remaining lor more than a very short time. A little over a year later, in January, 1901. Mr Hyudman and Mr M. Gray went out and took some samples from,the outcrops, which on assay are said to have shown satisfactory values. The parly then took out a- parcel of half a ton weight, which was sent to Reefton for treatment, and it is said to have yielded loz 9dwt 21 gr gold. In November of the same year Messrs Hyudman and Cameron started a tunnel to cut Wilson’s Reward reef 300ftvertically under the outcrop. This tunnel was driven due north in the country to the east of the formation, and it intersected the reef at an acute angle on the footwall side at TOIL in. The adit was then turned to crosscut the roof, hut after cutting through the stone for between 13ft and 14ft without meeting tlie hanging-wall, work was stopped, apparently owing to the values in the quartz being so low as to discourage further effort, and up to the present time no further attempt has lieen made to test the deposit. J. M. Bell, who saw the reef shortly after this work was done, described it as being of a milkywhite and somewhat semi-vitreous nature, and containing irregularshaped fragments as well as partings of argillites. A small percentage of sulphides, chiefly pvritc and clmlcopyrite, was present. Gold was occasionally visible in the vein material, more particularly in connection with tlie inclusions—slickonsided partings and selvages of argillites. Four samples taken by Him from different parts of the reef gave an assay the. following results:—

1. General sample of quartz selected from various outcrops; Gold, lGgr; value, 2s 6d.

2. General sample in tunnel-level from a width of 13ft Bin of reef: Gold, 4.5 gr: value, 9d.

3. Sample from a hunch of highgrade ore showing a little gold: Gold. 3oz Sdwt 1 Ogr; silver, Bdwt Igr; value, £l3 2s 6d.

4. Sample from an outcrop on surface (21ft wide) but not representative of tbe whole: Gold, 13dwt; silver, .Tdwt f>gr: value, £2 T2s Bd. T(, is evident from these results that the reef was patchy, and that the gold values on the whole in the exposed parts were not high; never-

thcloss it is to be regretted that more work was not done by driving along its course in the adit. Nearly all bedded veins of this nature are patchy in value, and it is possible that a drift along the reef would have revealed shoots of pay-ore.

In 1910 a party known as thq Wilson’s Reward Syndicate is said to have cleaned up Hyndnian and Cameron’s adit, and taken further from it and from the outcrops, but no other information is available as to their operations.

Fiddcs’s Reward Roof.—-This reef was located about five and a. half miles south-westerly from the Wilson’s Reward, and at an elevation ol about 609 ft higher, near the head ol Spencer’s Creek, a small ti Unitary of Grave Creek. It was traceable on the surface for a much greater distance than any of the other reefs in the locality (at least 30 chains), striking north and south and dipping westerly. It. was, however, very narrow sometimes opening out to 2lt biu averaging only about Gin. Tlie quart: iu appearance much resembled tha of Wilson’s Reward, having the same thin slaty partings, and contain in; splashes of pyrite and dialooprito. and seemed to be equally in respect to its gold content. The, results of three samples taken by Bell for assay were as follows:

1. Northern portion, general samp!’ of quartz, showing no visible gold Gold Udwt Igr; silver lOgrj vplue, 12 2d.

‘2. Northern portion—specimen quartz: Gold, lOoz 4dwt 4gr; silver. 'l.sdwb 15gr; value, £4O 18s 2d. 3. Southern portion— high-grade selected ore, showing gold: Gold, 4oz Tclwt I7gr; silver Sdwt lgr; value, Cl 7 Us id.

For several years following 1905 a little desultory prospecting was apparently done on this find, and on ceilain other reel’s in the vicintiy, but in 1908 a start was made to put an adit in on it at a distance below the outcrop sufficient to give about 250 ft of backs. For 55ft. the reef was reported by Inspector of Alines, A. Whit ley to average loin in width, and show good dish prospects as well as. colours of gold. In 1909 Inspector of Mines Richards visited the claim, when the drive was in Tl7ft., and reported that for the- last 47ft. the reef was only about Bin. wide. When the drive had been carried in to 232 ft. a company known as the King Gold-min-ing Company was formed to take the property over. This company is said to have extended the level to about 532 ft., but there is nothing in the available records to indicate whether or not the reef lived for this distance or what its width or value was. However, tlie fact that the company gave up its efforts after driving to the distance mentioned leads to the presumpion that on the whole the developments could not have been satisfactory. -Since 1911 no work has been done on this reef, or, in the field. PFAHLERT’S RIKEF. This reef was found outcropping near the head of Snowy Creek, about three-fourths of a mile south of Fiddos’s reef, and is probably the southern continuation of the same. Regarding it, Bell and Fraser state that southward from the creek it had been exposed by trenching for a distance of about 250 ft., with- some indication of further extension under the rock 'talus. Its strike was about 19 dogs, west of north, and the dip 40 clegs', to 50 dogs, to the westward. As calculated from six of the cross-sections in the trenches, its width averaged about 30in. , the maximum width being sft. Tlie stone was said to be of a favourable character, gold been seen at frequent intervals throughout the lull length of the better-defined portions of the outcrop, generally associated with the rusty slaty selvages and partings, Unit occasionally in '.the solid quartz. A general sample taken by tlie geologists from various points along the full length of the outcrops yieded on assay only 1 dwt. 5 gr. gold per ton, but another assay made from fragments of (quartz showing gold yielded at the rate of 8 oz. 9 dwt 2-1 gr gold per ton. Beyond the surface trenching referred to no further work seems to have boon done on his reef. Among the other reels located, and on which a little prospecting, mainly of a superficial nature, was done, may be mentioned those known as Ilyndman’s reef, on the south-western slope of Mount Harman; the Kanieri Syndicate’s reefs, on the eastern slope of the same mountain; the Grave Creek reef, Billett’s reef, and Fiddes’s stringer reefs; but none of them showed any special promise. In 1909 and 1910 Gallicri and party drove a tunnel on what may be considered the continuation of -Fiddes’s reef north-ward of Grave Creek. Good surface prospects were got from' the outcrops, but in the tunnel very little solid stone up-, pears to have been scon. 801 l and Frazer point out that tlie area within which these various reefs were found has .been subjected to extensive glacial action, and that the disintegration and rapid erosion of tjie surface may Slave had the effect of removing tlie upper and richer portions of the reefs, and that tlie numerous barren reel's may really represent tlie downward continuation of some from which more valuable upper parts have been entirely eroded. This explanation of the position may well be correct—nevertheless it seems to the present writer that this field deserved more vigorous and thorough testing than it received ;but no doubt the “fact that the country containing the reefs was all well above the snow-line and could only he worked for a small part of the year was a serious drawback to operators. The isolation of the locality: and Ihe difficulty of maintaining supplies in it were further hindrances to effective 'prospecting The timo will

doubtless tonic when the region will receive further attention from the prospector, arid,’ either there *r along the belt of greywackes and argillites that seems to crown the Alpine range for a uumber of niilos both north and soutli of it, there is a possibility that important reefs will yet be revealed. TAJ BO RIVER REEFS. What are known as the Taipo reefs occur in a belt of country that may be considered tlie northern extension of die Wilberforce area. The Taipo River has its source immediately horth of .Mount Harmon, and flows in a northwesterly lill it junctions with the I’eremakua River. Most of the known outcrops of quartz occur in the creeks running into it from the western side, very little prospecting lias ever been done in this region and practically all iliat- is known of its reef-occurrences is contained in Bell and Fraser’s "Geological Survey of the Hokitika Sheet, North Westland Quadrangle” (Bulletin No. 1, New Series,) most of the outcrops have in fact been located by members of die party engaged in that survey. It cannot be said that many of the outcrops discovered'showed any decided promise, hut there was sufficient evidence of gold in some of them to indicate that the area containing them was woi chy of further examination. The ’geologists referred ’to describe thp belt of likely rocks as being about five miles in width, bounded by an artificial line drawn from the north-eastern corner of Turiwhnte Survey District, in a direction of south 38 degs. west to the south western boundary of Browning’s Pass Survey District. Following the Taipo River down, outcrops were found in Gold Greek, Dunn’s Greek, Freitas Creek,. Scotty’s Greek, ami Low's Greek. Careful washing of the decomposed vein stqff, and' crushing and panning of freshly broken quartz, served to show that a little gold occurred in most of them, but in only one was what appea red payable quantity of the metal noted. This was an occurrence i Gold Creek, a small tributary entering tlie Taipo River well up towards its source. In the bed of tlie creek, and admit severity-live paces 1r0n ,7 iis niwiith, tlie survey party discovered a oeuueu reef Formation consisting of narrow alternating bands of greywaekv and quartz striking north 61) degs. east and dipping at a high angle to the eastward. The formation was expwacu ior aodut 3ft. from the foot-wall, but uie hanging-wall, -portion was covered with heavy creek deuris so that the full width was 'not' ascertaineu. .ilong its line tlie formation seemed to have no continuity to the north while u> tlie south talus debris covered everything up) The visible portion of me outcrop was only about 6ft. in length. The quartz bands in the formation only tunned a minor proportion of the whole ,and were narrow, thewidest being anout 4in. The quartz was of a favourable character, showing numerous small angular slaty inclusions arid pyrite throughout. One of tlie ifuartz bands was highly auriferous and where it was widest (lin.J ever, lragmeut broken out showed coarse gold, and others of the sma.il quartz wands contained' go,ld in lesser quantity. Samples taken from portion ot the formation snowing no gold gave an assay 1 dwt. 14 gr. gold per ton, while other samples from which e. er.\ tiling showing gold was selected and discarded gave 1 dwt 16 gr. and 1 dwt 6gr respectively. An assay of a sample from the rich band yielded a. liic rate of 5 oz. 3 dwt. 8 gr. gold and 17 dwt. 35 gr silver. The quartz band in the formation showed a tendency to widen in a southerly direction below the talus debris, and further investigation of it in that direction seemed warranted.

Jt- may be mentioned that about three years ago a party of prospectors' under the direction of Mr Sidney Fry went into the locality specially to make fnnlicr investigation ol this formation. Giving to the chairs that had been used for crossing some of the stream.: along tlie route having been swept away or rendered unsafe, and the old track being badly blocked by slips am, deadfalls, tlie party had considerable niilieulty in reaching their objective, and when they did get there they found that in the interval since the survey party had seen the formation it had been covered up deeply by creek debris brought down by floods, and no vestige of it could be seen. The task of shifting all this material was too great for uio men to undertake at the time, so they restricted their efforts to blasting up some of the larger boulders, in the hope that further floods would clear the debris away and they would be able to see the reef on a subsequent visit. As flir lis tlie writer is aware, however, none of the men returned to the spot again, so it is not known what the result of their work was.

DUN'N’S CREEK REEFS. These are said to offer little promise. LOW’S CREEK REEF. This was tested by crushing an<l panning also by tiro assay, but failed to reveal any gold content. FREITAS CREEK REEF. This reef, which occurs at from one to one and a half miles up the creek mentioned from its junction with Taipo Creek is described as consisting of several mineralized zones in groywacke and argillite, in only one of which were traces of gold got on assay. Nevertheless the geoldgical surveyors were of opinion that their general appearance was so favourable that they might with advantage ho traced and prospected along the' line of strike. .

SCOTTY’S GREEK REEF. Numerous l'enticujar quartz are said to have been loated in the I valley traversed by this creek, but values were not detected in any of them. Highly auriferous quartz 1 fra* nients are reported, however, to have been found from time to time in tlie bed of the creek, and the geologists commented that, concealed beneath Mie vegetation and surface deb.)s, the veiiis may exist from which they were derived. Other reefs of the area which attracted tne attention of tlie survey party were those known as the Taipo Greek reef, Harley’s Greek reef, the Hum' Creek reels, and McQuilkin’s reef. TAIPO GORGE REEF This outcrops in the left side of the' gorge, about eiglit cliains uelow the junction of Rocky Creek with the Tai,t<u itiver, anu lias a maximum wiutii ol lit. unlike tile reels just previously reierreu to, it occurs as a heikled reef in banded schists, a highly qaart--ui. ...iv.i-.i'-iu.iL lorniing it western wait, and a more laminated biotite schist its eastern Avail. The vein, stands practically-vertical, and is do-! scribed as apparently lensoid bulb mi a. .m iioimuiitai extension. Its; chief interest lies iti the fact that it. was found to contain platinum, an as-; ...y oi a sample giving a result equal i to I dwt platinum and 6 divt. 13 gr, j rtiiycr per ion. " j

HARLEY’S GREEK REEF. \ This roof occurs in the bed of Har-j ley's Greek, about half a riiile uj>. lrom its junction Avith the Teromakua; River, in country rock consisting Hi’ • huru shaly phillite, striking north 36 Megs, east ,aud dipping south-east-; want at an angle of anout 55 deg, arid appeared also to be lenticular in Loth horizontal an vertical extension. No gold was found iu it, hut two samples allowed on analysis that they contained platinum, respectively at tlie rate of 3 dwt 8 gr. and 1 dwt. 2 gr. per ton. HD’RA GREEK REEFS. Hunt Creek is the next one of any importance entering the Taipo above Dunn’s Creek. In one of its iicadivaters tributaries, at a point above 350 ft beloAV the Huru Saddle, a fragment of quartz about 51b. in Aveight Avas found by a member of tlie survey party, Avhicli on one face. included a boaten-out ragged streak of gold, in tlie /aggregate amounting to £.dwt The quartz is said to have had a striking resemblance to that of tlie Gobi Creek reef, and its discovery ivas looked upon as important. At is Avas found so near the cap of the range the geologists considered that tlie location of tlie reef ivhieh it came by trenching and surface prospecting should not la 1 < , ~M -tilt matter, and might he undertaken ivitli advantage. McQUILKIN’S REEF. McQnilkin’s Greek is a tributary of the Arahura River, but has its source

near the Hum Saddle, on the opposite side irom the Anilium Itiver ancTift an elevation of about 1,300 ft., in a small headwater stream coming into McQuilK'in’s Creek from the northern side, occurs what Hell and Fraser describe as one. of the best-defined quartzs veins in the whole area covered'by the survey As exposed for about 100 ft., it is from loin to 30 in. wide. Its strike is about north 22 deg east and its dip westward at about 65 degs. 11l some parts it seemed comfortable to the bedding of the enclosing greywacke, but in the others evidently cuts it at a very acute angle. The only gold seen in it occurred as a coarse bleb in the quartz in the vicinity of the slaty selvage separating the quartz from the country rock, and the result of one sample assayed was only 1.5 gr. gold ];er ton ; but in view of the faqt that auriferous quartz is found in the debris of the creek and also free quartz gold very little worn, the geologists were led to the opinion that the neighbourhood welll deserved further investigation. . i a

As previously stated, only a negligible amount of prospecting has ever been done in the area within which occurs the formations mentioned, and it deserves closer investigation j but it

must be said the country is very rugged and difficult of access, and for prospecting purposes is of no use to ,t^ 9 small two-or-three-men party, labour entailed in the individual numbers of such parties being inordinary heavy, and the loss of tfme necessitated in travelling to and fro for supples too great to admit of the men xfy?' ing justice either to themselves or possibilities of the locality. To 'fijfamine such an area to advantage a $ r ly large party seems needed, well leaped with tools and other requirements and it would be all the better if ft were in charge of a leader 'toith., geological and mineralogical knowledge who would be able to direct the woife and map the country traversed.

(To be continued.)