Page 1 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 846, 10 September 1853, Page 1

pursuant to the prospectus issued by the prcjectors of the undertaking on the Bth of October, ISS?. The preliminary fund having been raised in the manner proposed by that prospectus, a contract was entered into by the projectors with W. L. Wrey,- Esq., a Mineral Surveyor, to perform the works secessary for determining the true character cf the mine, and the practicability of forming roads for transporting the produce to a place of shipment. The following is his report to the projecters of the result of his investigations ; — To W. T. L. Travers, and W. Wells, Esquires, Nelson. Gentlemen — I have now (he honour of reporting the result of the operations conducted by me, undt-r the contract entered into trith you in December, 1852, and which I deemed "requisite for ascertaining, firstly, the actual character and value of the copper lode situated near the Dun Mountain, respecting waich I made an earlier report (25th May, 1852) to his Excellency the Governcr-in-Chief ; and secondly, the existence of a practicable line of road for transporting to r% plase ci" shipment tbe prcduce of the mine. I find the anticipations expieased in the earlier report above alluded to, to be fully confirmed and borne out by the operative researches I have v.v.cc made upon the lode. I am now able to say from positive mining, that the lode is a north and south lpde. That it h a champion lode from 5 to 8 feet in width, and contains rectal of a very high quality, in great profusion. The lode is so situated that it maybe worked to a depth of two 'iwidredfatl.smaby aditorlavel. The adit vill furthermore ba the commencement of a railway, for the transport cf the ore to the place of shipment. These points are of great economical importance. Although my engagement was -.r.erely to explore a particular lode, 1 beg to c.d&, that I have clearly ascertained ths existence of several other lodes in proximity rath the ons originally discovered. I with sincerity beg to assure you, that it has never before fallen to my lot to meet with any lode exhibiting such extraordinary and unerring indications of mineral wealth, or which would more completely justify the investment of capital. The only approach to the nvne, when I first visited it, was of cue!: r. mountainous cud ruggea ' character, necessitating an ascent to the height of i nearly 4,000 feet, that I at first felt doubtful respecting the possibility cf removing the ore to a place of shipment with a due regard to economy, but I am happy in being able to report, aa the result of actual and caveful survey, that a good practicable line for a mineial descending traffic has been proved. This line follows throughout the whole length, as you will observe by the accompanying plan, the course of the Maitai River, the main stream of which takes its rise within a mile of • the lode. The distance will not exceed 32 miles from the mine adit to the vessel's side in tha Haven at Nelson, and the goods will not require to be shifted Jifter the waggons are loaded at the mine until discharged into the vessel. In the first part of the line, for about tyro miles, the descent must be by inclined plaue, after which it will present i:pon tl - e whole remaining distance r. very uniform and easy gradient, workable byhorss or locomotive power. The serpentine course of the river, and the mountainous and broken character of ths country, may possibly render the curves too sharp for locomotives, but this is a point of detail which I have not thought it essential to determine. The nature of the country, however, is very favourable for the construction of the necessary works, the banks of tha river being solid, and the prevailing rocks of slate and trsp, cf a very compact and durable character, whilst an abundance of timber is found growing throughout the whole extent of the line. I feel juatiiied therefore in asserting, not only that a practicable line exists, but ako thai it is efficient and economical. I beg to aod a few words on the geological features of the country. Taking a cross section from the tovn of Nelooa by Brook Street Valley, I find tLe prevailing rock to be pi clay slate, intsrsected, and occasionally disturbed, by dikes and beds of trap rock. The slate may be traced alon;j the summit of the ridge for about three miles, beyond which I f.r.d a magnificent deposit of grey crystaiine limeator.e extending about a mile in width. The summit of the high wooded peak (the altitude of which id not less than 4,000 feet) is composed of this lime- atone, lying conformably to the slate which forms ths base of the mountain, and presenting sharp angjter masses at ths very apex. The slate and limestone are both highly inclined.. Immediately beyond the limestone formation the mineral region commences in which the copper ore exist 3. The prevailing rock is a micaceous schist, traversed by dikes of hornblende schist, whilst the surface of the mountain is strewn with detached masses of serpentine rock containing magnetic iron ore. and occasional veins of asbestos and talc. Othar products besides the copper ore will, therefore, by the formation of the necessary railway, become available, such aa slate of exceeding fine quality for every purpose to which slate can be applied: limestone, timber, and fire- stone fit for the most intense funace w^rk, all of vhich would come to market at a moderate cost, and some of which arc. at present, in great demand. __ The foregoing statement shews the undertaking to possess such unusual advantages in every particular, that I have no hesitation in recommending immediate steps to obtain the capital necessary to work the mines, feeling perfectly assured that they rfill prove highly remunerative. I am, &c, W. L. Wrey, Nelson, 10th June, 1853. Mineral Surveyor. The following letter was in the meantimereceived from T. L. M organ, Esq., of the Burwood Smelt works, near Newcastle, in Australia, to whom specimens of the ore had been sent: — " Burwood Smelting "Works, " Newcastle, March 12, 1853. " Sir — Your favour of the 27th July, 1852 came duly to hand, with sample of copper ove. I should havereplied on receipt, butfromthegreatuncertainty that prevailed then as to the possibility of keeping our works supplied with labour, and which has more or Jess continued, combined with an expectation that I should be able personally to wait upon you — I have deferred making a definite communication on the subject. I may now say, that the ore is exceedingly rich, and the indications, as described by you, most favourable. As a smelting