THE MINERAL WEALTH OF TASMANIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5268, 11 February 1878, Page 3

THE MINERAL WEALTH OF TASMANIA.

(From the Launceston Examiner, Jan. 19.) The mineral deposits of Tasmania are making a name for her, and the once looked-dowu-upon little colony is now being sought after by her larger neighbors. This is more particularly the case as far as pur tin industries are concerned. During last year we exported £283,118 worth of tin and tin ore, and nearly the whole of the ore exported was purchased by the agents of Sydney firms, who have circulated a large amount of ready cash here for parcels of ore. The principal buyers have been Messrs. H. Beit and Co., and the Associated Company of Smelters, both of Sydney. The purchases made by the latter parties through their agents here have been large, but we have not the exact amount at hand at present. Messrs. Beit and Company, however, were early in the field, their operations dating hack nearly to the discovery of tin in the colony, one of the partners visitin" Tasmania several times to inspect the mfnes, to see personally how matters were going. At the time the Mount Bischoff Company tried to introduce public sales of metal this firm bought all that was offered, and though we cannot state their total purchases of tin ore, those made daring the five months ended December 31 amount to upwards of

ICOO tons, for.which £65,000 was paid on the; spot. This looks like business, and we understand that they contemplate increasing .their connection during the present year, /It is even rumoured that in case the smelting furnaces now being erected here by the Associated Smelters Company are found to interfere with! their trade, .Messrs. Beit and Co., may possibly, in conjunction with other parties interested, erect smelting works also on their own account. This will be satisfactory news to the mining community, who can rely where there is competition on always obtaining the fullest value for their produce, and the healthy rivalry of the Sydney firms cannot fail to assist in furthering the prosperity of the town. .