SOUTH CANTERBURY MINERALS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2217, 26 April 1880, Page 2

SOUTH CANTERBURY MINERALS.

TOWN EDITION.

The products of South Canterbury are likely to cut a dash at the forthcoming Melbourne Exhibition. It is well-known that the Kakahu district, situate 25 miles from Timaru, is rich in minerals of various kinds. Want of good roads, or what would be better, a railway, has hitherto prevented the development of its riches. Those arc to bo made prominent in Melbourne. Among the articles from Kakahu about to be transmitted is a small collection obtained by Mr J. D. Stansell, of Christchurch, whose samples of minerals from Canterbury were awarded a prize at the Sydney Exhibition. The collection comprises some beautiful white pottery clay, obtained from the side of a road cutting. Tbc clay is to be found in abundance and from its purity of color and other qualities it is belieyod to be admirably adapted for the manufacture of imitation poreclaine and the liner kinds of pottery. Some specimens of coal, from Mr Meredith’s property, will surprise those who imagine that good fuel is unobtainable in South Canterbury. It is of a bright clear color, lias plenty of inllammablo oil and resembles the best Kaitangata coal in appearance. Besides this some samples of blue stone have been obtained, together with some of the local marble which in a polished condition was forwarded by Mr Munroo, of Dunedin, to Sydney, and came in for a share of the awards.