LIME DEPOSITS IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1917, Page 7

LIME DEPOSITS IN TARANAKI.

GOVERNMENT ANALYST'S REPORT. The Board of Agriculture has forwarded to the Taranaki Agricultural Society a copy of the Dominion laboratory report 011 limestone samples collected by Dr. Henderson rom tiie Mokau, Awdkino, and Mahuenui districts. The Mokau river and Awakino limestone is of very good quality, whilst at Stony Creek, three miles from Mahoenui, there is exceedingly high grade limestone. On the right bank of the Awakino river, 1J miles from Mahoenuj, uie upper part of tho limestone is very good but the lower part is poor. Analyses showed percentages of calcium cl.rbonate are as follows: No, I.—On south bank of Mokau, 19 miles from mouth, flat lying limestone at least 12 incites thick resting 011 papa, near kiln in use 14 years ago, about 12 chains from river anu 50 feet above it, 96.0 per cent (and 1.53 insoluble in acid). No. 2.—Same locality as No. 1, from loose block (large) 95' per cent, (3.27). No. 3.—Stony Creek, three miles from Mahoenui post office, on main road to Awakino. Limestone 50 feat above cliff, 88 per cent. (1.12). No. 4.—On metal reserve oft right bank of Awakiso river, half a mile from main road, 1J miles from Awakino village, and near the lowest bridge across the river. Limestone 20ft exposed: D 3.4 per cent. (5.19). No. C.—On right bank of Awakino River, 1} miles on branch road from Mahoenui post office. Limestone 50ft lower layer: 70.3 per >,-nt, (22.58). No. G.—Same locality, 20 feet upper layer: 95.4 per cent. (3.20). The report on the deposit on Messrs. Looney's and Bartle's farms at Opunake showed that this calcareous deposit was sinter or travertine deposited by marshy streams. It was not geology that wa« required but systematic search of tho surface, especially in the swampy places al«ng the stream bankß. Conical hills existed all about the streams, and it would be from the decomposition of the andobite in theTse that the lime is derived. Sinter may build on itself until a great thickness is attained, but no thick deposits were seen. It would be time enough to think about iißing a portable crusher or a fbwd crusher when a sufficient quantity of stone had been found. It looked as if each settler would have several deposits and perhapsenough to meet his own requirements. Mr. Looney had quarried and burnt some of his sinter. The boulders in some of the streams are coated white with carbonate of lime, evidently depositeil from percolating waters similar to those that had formed the sinter deposits. The chairman stated that they would see that the limestone was of a very rich quality, and the question of taking advantage of the information supplied could be considered after tho war, when matters became normal. Ab this information was forwarded as the outcome of a question asked by himself at the conference, he moved that the Department be forwarded a letter of appreciation for tie information supplied. —Carried. Mr. Hall said he understood that lim« was being manufactured at KuwHia to supply the needs of Taranaki.