Tasmania.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2372, 23 October 1880, Page 3 (Supplement)

Tasmania.

Those who run away with the idea that all the auriferous and stanniferous wealth of the colonies lies on the Victorian side of Bass’s Straits, have made an egregious error. Midway betwixt Victoria and New Zealand there lies the island known on the maps as Tasmania, known more familiarly to old colonists as Van Dieman’sLand, or, again, as Tasman’s Land. Tasmania sends many beautiful -and valued exhibits. For instance, she shows at a glance that she can produce coal, gold, iron, and tin. With regard to the three former, she may be in doubt as to the quantities ; but she has no doubt, certainly, as to the latter. It may be presumed fairly that, of all our stanniferous regions—and the colonies have many of them—Tasmania is really the motherland of tin. It is some years since attention was first called to the riches of Mount Bischoff in that respect, but this was simply a rock formation, although of great value. Prospecting from the foot of the Mount on to the flats, what is known as stream tin was discovered in large quantities ; and the result was, that an export trade of great value sprung up. In a valley known as the Ruby Valley, some hundred thousand- pounds’ worth of tin was taken out in less than six months, and “Ruby tin” became a catch-word, both in Hobart Town and Launceston. Tin, no doubt, will be one of the staple products of Tasmania in the years that are to come. But she is prolific in other metals. At Brandy Creek, quartz containing gold to the extent, sometimes, of 20oz. to the ton is found. Unfortunately the line of reef runs through private property, otherwise its merits might

have been fully tested long ago. The country, as the Exhibition shows, produces hops. There is no man who has passed through the fields and lanes so redundant about Hobart Town and Launceston who will, if he be English, not have recognised the old Kentish smell of the hedgerows and pathways—the smell which breathes of England and of home.