TIN DEPOSITS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 360, 17 April 1889, Page 5

TIN DEPOSITS.

Wellington, April 13. Mr Hector has made an analysis of the block tin ore which is the richest collected by Mr Mackay, a&sistant geologist, from the Pegasus mass. It measures 3 feet long, and the same depth, and is 5j- inches thick. He states it is as rich as any yet obtained and assayed. The lode stuff nas been carefully dressed, and is free from all rock matrix. Metallic ores contained as follows ; — Tin oxides (ca&siterite), 18*1 per cent. ; wograin, 6 2 per cent. The remainder of the stuff consists of quartz and mica embedded in quart/, together with micaceous .schists Mr Spence, Commissioner of Crown Landrf, has forwarded theSurveyor-Generala leportonthePegasustin discoveries. He.«ays tin is widely distributed over the island. The whole of the alluvial finds can hardly be accounted for, except that large quantities ©f tin ore exist or did exist on the mountain range. This irregular vein has hitherto been discerned as hardly sufficient to account for the great show of bin and alluminum, and one is forced bo the conclusion that more and richer veins will yet be discovered, or that the veins now existing are a mere remant of a former reef. He says only a golden key can unlock the treasures, such as they are, of the lode, and it is useless to speculate as to the uncertainties, but in any case he thinks thsre is a substantial reality in the Pegasus tin discoveries. Tin, let it pay how it may, is widely distributed : and the mineral resources of the island recently brought to light are worthy in some way of being developed. Rata grows in great abundance on the surface of the tin country, andthereiore there is no want of fuel for smelting, etc. In all, 103 acres have been applied for, thus showing there is no monopoly. These are principally distributed over Pegasus Valley, Smibh's Creek, on the southern terminal slope, and on the crest sides of the ridge for same miles to the northward. Mr Spence dods that a survey is to be completed to enable leases to be granted.