Diamond Seeking.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4435, 22 March 1883, Page 2

Diamond Seeking.

Now thai this subject is engrossing bo much public attention, it is not oat of place to give a few useful facts in connection with discovering the precious stones. To the Auckland Star we are indebted for the greater part of the information we have gleaned. One of the first essentials in searching for diamonds* is to see that the land is of Tolcauic origin but not of too porous a description. When light transparent crystals are found on the surface of such soil, it may be taken as a pretty . safe indication that diamonds will be found by digging; and in such case the proper ouurse to pursue is to procure the necessary plant for screening and washing the soil so as to find the diamonds* Mr Courtney informs us that the plant required is of the simplest description, and need not cost more than 17s. This is merely a prospecting plant: For the first process, a rough " screen " should be set up, on a wooden frame—the screen consisting of about 6 feet of wire with flinch mesh, and being set at an angle of 45 'degrees. The soil should be passed through this and then through a sieve of |»inch mesh wire, which will have the effect of taking out all stones. The next step is to wash the soil in a tub or pool of water prior to passing it through a seive so fine that nothing but muddy water can get through it. A flour seive is suitable for this purpose, and the crystals or mineral which remain after washing should be tested for diamonds. Hydro* fluoric acid, which forms the readiest and severest test, may be obtained for this purpose from Mr T. B. Hill, Auckland ; but settlers sending for it should remember that only guttapercha or lead vessels can be used for this acid, as it eats through glass or earthenware. It should be mentioned that, in volcanic sections of country, the beds of the streams may give a ready indication of the soil being diamondiferous. The gravel on the beds of such streams or alluvial deposits en their banks should be treated as described above, with a good prospect for finding diamonds. In washing the soil, prospectors should also keep a look-out for flaky gold, which'is very likely to be found in the same class of country as diamonds. Jmi A small machine with cylinder attaohed > for screening purposes to be driven by horse power, and capable of washing 200 loads of 18 cubic feet each per day, could be procured at a cost of about £250. If the ground is so formed that it has a fall to take away the tailings, then no elevation would be required.