LA UNKNOWN

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 119, 28 May 1885, Page 2

LA UNKNOWN

Probability of 1 Government Assistance,

A iikpdtation consisting of Colonel Fraser, M.U.R., and Messrs P, J. Mote, M.H.R., VV. J, Hurst,i M.H.R., Thos. Peacock, M.H.U., and E. Mitcholson, M.U.K., waited upon tho Hon. the Minister of Mines at 2.30 yosterday afternoon for the purpose of urging the advisability of Govcrinuont offering inducements for the introduction to the Thames of Mr La Monte's new moth of gold saving. Mr La Monte, the invontor, was also present. The deputation stated that among men experienced in raining, the belief prevailed that owing to the fineness of our gold, and the quantity ot silvor with which it is mixod, millions of pounds' worth of the precious metal had been and was still being wasted for want of an improved process of gold-saving. Mr La Monto's new procosslby which tho taflings were treated with acid in a state of solution, and by which a return could be obtained closely approximating to that yielded by bank assay had been practically tested in Australia, and had proved so, highly successful that seven large, machines wore now being erected to, work in aooord anco with his invention,. Mr La Monte did not at present |oej inclined to go into the business of working his invention in this colony unless some extra inducement wore offered, as his hands were alroady full with Now South Wales ongagoments. It was thereforo proposed to form a company to treat with Mr La MonsOj anu the promoters of it were anxious to know what assistance the Government would give towards carrying out the objects in view. Mr La Mont* took tho opportunity of saying that he would be perfectly satisfied to accept a bonus made contingent upon the successful carrying out of his undertaking for one year. I" rep.tyi the Hon. Mr Larnach expressed his opinion that it would be a fair thing to pay Mr Lamonte at tho end of a year's trial a bonuaof £1,000 provided his process of gold-saving came up to expectations. Mr La Monte remarked that such » condition would be satisfactory to him, and the Minjatpr therefore undertook to make such a recommendation to his colleagues. The deputation then thanked the hon. gentleman and withdrew.

Proposals to Form a Company. A meeting of gentlemen interested in mining matters, convened by Mr A. Saunders, took place at the Chamber of Commerce at noon today. Mr A. J. Reid, president of the Chamber of Commerce pre- ? ,V Mr La Monte. the patentee of La Monte a gold-saver was in attend--BL°e<. •He savo some Particulars of the visit to the Thames, Karangahaks, and Te Aroha goldfields, and stated that from the experiment? he had made there he was satisfied that in most cases one half more gold can be saved than is eavod at present by the adoption of his process. This result would more particularly apply to the Thames, and Karangahape, where pyrites abound. He explained the terms on which the patent would be sold £10,000 and a certain number of shares in a company that .would be formed. Mr R, X, Davies gave an account of his recent visit to Mr Lamonte'a furnace in Sydney, and stated bis belief that the invention would perform all that wa,a plajmed for it. Messrs Saunderq, A. Porter, G. Alokin, and Gtheru put ejuestions to Mr La Monte which ehoited satisfactorily replies. The Chairman suggested that a committee should now be formed to take the matter in hand, and see what could be obtained. A committee was formed, consisting of the principal legal managers and mining investors, and T SA°u lded that the Com m>ttee should meet at the same place to-morrow,