MINERAL DEPOSITS in NEW ZEALAND.

Patea Mail, 18 January 1882, Page 3

MINERAL DEPOSITS in NEW ZEALAND.

At a recent meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society, Dr Hector, in referring to a paper by S. G. Cox, F. G.S., on the mineralogy of New Zealand, said that although some of the minerals (arsenic, antimony, tellium, and bismuth) might not appear of much value, yet they indicated the presence of other and more important minerals. In speaking of the Thames and Coromandel districts, he pointed out the similarity which exists between the mineral deposits there and at the Comstock, in America, and Schemnitz, in Hungary. Twelve years ago the Comstock lode was worked for gold, which occurred in the form of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver; but now the lodges have passed in depth into silver lodes and are worked at nearly 2,000 feet from the surface, and the nature of the rocks and associated minerals affords reasonable ground for expecting that a similar development may take place at the Thames, as raining works are carried on. The minerals mentioned by the author show the influence of hydro-thermal action similar to that which is still in activity at Rotomahana, denudation having removed the superficial rocks at the Thames, and exposed the core into which the mineral veins have been infiltrated. The same minerals described as found on the West Coast occur under different conditions, and in an older formation, similar to that at Gympie Creek, in Queensland. He pointed out the importance, of the diamond drill in exploring such deposits, and stated that New Zealand was yet only on the threshold of its true mining development.

The revised New Testament has been printed on a single sheet of paper 24 x 88 inches in size, folded into 446 pages. Arrangements for the English cricket match at Wellington up to date are that the West Coast contingent chosen to play in the match will include Fulton, Cross, J. Gr. Wilson, Read, Coutts, and Barton. Another member of the Patea Cricket Club would have been chosen only for the question of his expenses. If that can be waived, he may be chosen yet. F. Bayly from Taranaki was asked, but so far no answer has been received. We believe Hawera is not represented in the contingent from this district.