Auckland Diamond Field.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

Auckland Diamond Field.

AtrcKtAND, February 28. The supposed diamonds brought by the prospecting party from Raglan were tested last eveniug at the residence of Mr WVJ. Courtney, Howe street. There were present—Messrs W. McOullough (Thames Star), Burns (of the assay department of the Bank pi New Zealand) Greenshields, Jenkins, W. J. Courtney, D. Courtney, and Douglas. The crystals were found mixed m soil, and just as they had beeu urou^bt down in boxes, and the soil being reduced to powdi-r in the presence of the parties assembled, the crystals were separated therefrom ; they were iri considerable number, and were placed in a leaden vessel in a quantity of fluoric acid. The vessel was sealed up, and placed in charge of Mr Greenshields. The crystals have to remain in fluoric acid for 24 hours, which time will eypire at six o'clock this evening, when the vessel will be re opened in the presence of all who may feel interested in the matter, at Mr Courtney's residence. Mr Courtney states that though the crystals may have no valu» as an article of commerce, he was desirous of thoroughly ascertaining whether diamonds existed in the Eaglan district. One peculiarity he noticed was the absence of garnets, rubies, and iron pyrites generally found in diamondiferous soil. Mr Burslem while out surveying saw a spot which seemed to give favorable indications of the existence of diamonds, and when he is sufficiently well to go Mr Courtney intends to test the ground indicated by that gentleman. A party were at work in the liaglan district for ten days, and would have remained longer bat for the wet weather setting in, which rendered further operations impossible. March 1. The leaden cup, with the crystals in it, which were steeped in fluoric acid, was uncovered yesterday evening in the presence of Messrs Courtney, Douglas, Burns, McCullough, D. Richardson, Greenshilds, Jenkinson, Harrow, and Miss Burslem, when four stones were.declared by Mr Courtney to be diamonds, because they were not affected by the acid. One, the largest found on the preceeding even ing, appeared as bright as if it had been polished. Mr Courtney says all the crystals were in an advanced state towards formation into diamonds, and the stones found are of a different character from any found in the world, and of excellent water. They will be exhibited at Mr Greenshield's, and will afterwards bo presented to the museum. Auckland, March 14. The locality of the diamond field has now been fixed almost to a certainty. One of the prospectors/Douglas, was formally a schoolmaster in the district, and lived at Hadßeld's farm, Tuhikaramea, and passed the spot daily in walking to and from the school. The formation is volcanic, and since the prospectors were here, some very pretty stones of a crystalline nature have been picked up. The diamond field is within the delta, indeed it is said the prospectors never crossed the river at all to Raglan side, but went at once to the spot where the indications were pointed oui by Douglas.