THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE KAKAHU VALLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1555, 19 February 1887, Page 2

THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE KAKAHU VALLEY.

At a general meeting of member* of the Christchurch branch of the Industrial Association of Near Zealand, held on Wednesday craning last, the following paper on the mineral resource* of the Kakahn Talley wae road by Mr J. B. Stansell. At a former meeting Mr Stanaell had given a brief outline of what the district was like, and at the request or the members present he then agreed to put the information he possessed in the form of a report. After the report had been read Mr Stanaell answered a number of questions to the best of his ability and a discussion took place. It was felt by the meeting that while the As* sooiation were not in a position to take active steps in the development of the resources of any district, such reports as the one Mr Stansell had given would be valuable for reference when the time comes for discussing a proposal to open a district by either road or rail. Mr Stanaell received a unanimous vote of thanks for his report. Permission has kindly been granted us to publish the report and attached results of assays made by Mr Stansell, and doubtless they will prove of interest as well as value to our readers. The report is as follows To the President of the Industrial Association, Christchurch. Sir,—During the Christmas holidays 1 bad the pleasure of again roaming over the hill and dale of the Kakahn Talley, with its meandering rills, suggestive of trout. On previous visits I had entered the valley from the east, and had become familiar with some of mineral deposits found there. On this occasion I entered the npper part of the valley and gorge from the west, crossed the Opihi River, and ascended the hill direct from a part of the river known as "Noah’s Ark," so called, I presume, from the quaint figures or shapes the rocks have assumed under the action of ice and water long ages psst. At the western end of the gorge there exists a mountain of slate of fair quality, as fat as I could discover. The outer crop would be of no value for roofing purposes, as, owing to its long exposure to the weather, it has lost it property of divisibility into thin sheets. This hill has been subjected to violent volcanic notion, a portion assuming the appearance of dykes. A careful examination, and probably a drive into the hill, would be necessary to aioerlaiu its true quality. This need not be an expensive . operation, and, if the quality is equal to the quantity, there is sufficient slate to supply New Zealand for years to come. During the visit I passed over four or fire hills of pottery clay of a very fair quality. If these deposits existed in England they would form the sites for villages of busy workers, instead of, as now, being as silent as the desert. The minerals to be found in the valley are marble, limestone, bydraulio limestone, coal, alum ehale, fire clay, pottery olay, and glassmaking sand, and gold has been found in the riverbed, A very remarkable feature of the district is the variety of minerals located in a comparatively small area. To the lover of nature this district, and the Opihi River, is well worth a visit. Its inaccessibility is a hindrance to the development of its mineral resources. The road from Temuka is a fair one, of twelve miles, to the valley, but that distance of cartage would act prejudicially to any industry which might be started. But, as far as I have seen, there would be no difficulty in laying a tram line that might answer the requirement* of the diitriot for years to come. Assays of Mikhbaib Fbom Kaiahu, 6IAIB-MAKING SAKD, Silica ... ... ... 98,0 Alumina... ... ... 2.0 100.0 Thi* is about equal to the lile of Wight land, which is used principally for making the best class of glassware. SIATB. Water, etc. ... ... 60 Silica ... ... ... 84.0 Alumina and iron... ... 10.0 : 100,0 On drying and afterwards immersing in water for 48 hours, 0.4 per cent of water only was absorbed, proving it to be a true slate. ENGLISH POTTBBY OLAY, POTTER'S OLAY Water and organic matter 6.4 ... 18.0 Silicate, insoluble in acids 90.0 ... 43.3 Alumina, with trace of iron ... ... 3.0 ... 83.2 Lime... ... ... 0.6 ... 0.35 100.0 94.85 This would require experiments in the pottery kiln, as it might need tho addition of alumina. pibb clay. Eakahu. Water ... 3.0 Organic matter ... ... 6.0 Quartzuse sand (insoluble) ... 88 0 Soluble silica .... ... 1.0 Alumina and iron ... ... 2.0 Lime and magnesia ... 1.0 100.0 Newcastle, Water 10.47 Organic matter ... ... Quartzuso sand (insoluble)... 61,10 Iron ... ... ... 4.63 Alumina ... ... 31.85 Lime and magnesia ... 3,0 100.50 Stourbridge, Water 10.3 13.11 Organic matter ... Quartzuse sand (insoluble) ... 63.7 51.0 Iron ... .... 4,0 4.14 Alumina... ... 20.7 30.4 Lime and mrgnesia 98.7 98.29 The Eakabn olay would require the addition of about 20 per cent, of alumina. HYDRAULIC LIMB PBOM OPIHI BIVBB. Opihi. Water .. ... ... 4.0 Alumina and iron ... ... 8 5 Soluble silica ... ... 1.0 Insoluble silica ... ... 160 Organic matter ... ... 3.0 Carbonate of lime ... ... 67.0 99.6 Parker’B Oement. 0. Lima ... ... ... 70.0 Iron ... ... ... 40 Silica ... ... ... 18.0 Alumina... ... ... 7.0 99.0 The Eakahu lime would require a slight addition of olay. CLAY IRON-STONH Gives about 46 per cent, of metal. These assays are approximate, but are suffi* cient for all present practical purpose*. J. B. Stansbll. _ I