CASWELL SOUND MARBLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5497, 8 November 1878, Page 7

CASWELL SOUND MARBLE.

By the Maori which arrived on Saturday from thq Sounds, wo were shown some splendid samples of marble from Caswell Sound. Tho white is a pure syehriue, and of a very superior quality to any that has been seen in the colonies. Mr. Munro (of Dunedin) has compared it with statuary marble which has cost as much as £5 per foot in London, and finds that this marble stands better up to tho chisel, and is capable of greater relief in fine ornamental work than he has hitherto worked. Mr. Munro left Dunedin by the Maori on purpose to visit the quarry, and from his personal observation found that the quantity was unlimited. Tho reef is about two and a half chains wide, and has been traced to the height of 1500 feet from the water’s edge. There is a cave running straight into the marble from the water’s edge about two chains deep, showing it all the way on each side. The blue marble is a continuation of the same reef running towards the north side. This is described as being beautifully marked, some of it resembling a tree in full foliage. The Sound is too well known to require any comment. It is landlocked, and is a safe harbor in any weather. The facilities for shipping the marble are exceptionally good. At the edge of the quarry there are fifty fathoms of water, and littlo or no expense is required for shipping it. The WcMand Tima has the following passage in a leader on the subject:—“Thespecimens which we have seen are of two kinds—one a pure white, ns white as snow, which wo were enabled to compare side by side with a piece of the Carrara marble from which tho bush of Dr. Foatherston has been carved. Onra is but a lay opinion ; but the Caswell Sound marble is in all respects by appearance as close grained as purely white, and as beautiful as tho marble which has won for itsoif renown all the world over. And this opinion is confirmed by the assertion of Mr. Munro, who, being an expert, is entitled to speak as ex cathedra. Ha informs us that tho block of white marble which ho has worked has taken as fine a polish as any marble in the world. The second specimen, which is described as ‘ dove marble,’ is of a bluish tint, beautifully veined, and a block of it is at the present time under the hands of Mr. Munro, who will have groat pleasure in showing results to anyone interested in the matter.”