TIN ORE IN THE BULLER DISTRICT.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 708, 8 September 1870, Page 2

TIN ORE IN THE BULLER DISTRICT.

In examination before a Committee of the House of Kepresentatives, Dr Hector was questioned as to the prospects of the existence of other minerals than gold in the Colony. He expressed the opinion that there are many parts of New Zealand where he should expect silver to be discovered, but that the probable quantity could only be determined by actual mining. With regard to tin, he said—" Only yesterday (July 22nd) the first trace of tin was discovered in black sand from the upper part of the Buller Eiver. In that neighborhood there is a peculiar rock which indicates the presence of tin ore, the discovery of which about six months ago led me to recommend a search for tin. The same characteristic rock exists on the West Coast of Otago." Dr Hector does not describe nor name the rock, which, however, is no doubt well known to any Cornish miners who may happen to be in the Colony. Our readers are generally aware that tin is not so widely distributed as many other metals, and is found in comparatively few countries. The Tin-producing countries are Cornwall, G-alicia, Saxony, Bohemia; Malacca, China, and Banca, in Asia. Describing its combinations, a scientific writer says :—" Tin occurs in two states of combinations, the peroxide and double sulphuret of tin and copper: this last is rather a rare substance, and it is from the former that the metal is almost entirely obtained. The peroxide of tin is found in Cornwall in two forms—l, In veins in primitive countries, where it is intimately mixed with several other metals as arsenic, copper, zinc, and tungsten; this is common tinstone." The second form is what is termed " stream-tin " —loose rounded masses, grains, or sand in alluvial soil." " Tin ores are peculiar to primitive rocks, generally in granite, either in veins or beds, and often associated with copper and iron pyrites." "We mention these few particulars in order that they may aid in the discovery of so valuable a metal, should any of those who see this article happen in the course of their labors to come across rocks having the characteristics indicating the presence of tin.