VOLCANO DISCOVERED NEAR MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1404, 14 June 1883, Page 2

VOLCANO DISCOVERED NEAR MASTERTON.

(From the N. Z. Times,) Much interest was excited at last night's meeting of the Philosophical Society by Mr A. McKay's report of a recent geological survey of the East Coast,of the North Island, having particular reference to his discovery of volcanic and igneous rocks in this district, He described the geological features of a series of low bills and gullies about fourteen miles from MasMasterton, on Mrßoetham'srun; and showed a model indicating a welldefined crater, which he had no doubt was tho low neck of an extinct volcano. He inferred from the adjacent 3trata, that the volcano was not ancient in a geological sense, though he offered no comparative data as to the period of its probable activity. Dr Hector then spoke of this volcano as a rare discovery, and as affording clear, and perfect evidence of volcanic activity not far from Wellington. It was a'mup!) nipre important element in fixing accurately the (jifjfe r . ent grades in geological sequence than might., appeap at first, sight. The discovery had also an importance in searching for gold and other minerals in the district! Although the Terawiti District shewed indirect -evidence of volcanic activity, djrect evidence was afforded by large masses of hornblende like that now exhibited from districts near Wellington, and the nature and origin of which they had not been able to account for until the discovery of this low volcanic neck. Now they saw the reason, and there might be found other necks of old volccnie craters not far from the surface and nearer Wellington, Mr Beetham then said this survey near Masterton had been made at his suggestion, and—though Mr McKay might not know it—they in this district had been used to speak of this 'broken hi)l a.s tj)e I!crater." Then it was covered with bph, biit nm that the bush was mostly burnt off, the crater shape had become more distinct. Gokl had formerly been traced in rock specimens, and in the early days he had lost some money in trying to work a hole for gold quartz, The President, Hon G. Randall Johnston made some remarks, and the subject dropped.