THE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 8

THE EXHIBITION.

from page C.)

THE MINING COURT,

In the .whole of the Exhibition there is most probably nothing1 that attracts such universal attention from visitors as the Mines Depai'tment, nor is this to be wondered at in a community so closely connected with this important industry as is Auckland. Even to visitors from a distance there is something about rich gulden specimens as well as nuggets and ingots of the royal metals that cannot fail but be of great interest. That such is the case may be seen from the way in which the mining exhibits in the No. 5 Court are constantly surrounded by visitors. As this is a Mining as well as Industrial Exhibition a large space is occupied in No. 4 Court by mining machinery, and in No. 5 Court Is shown the results to be attained, by systematic development of the immense resources of the Hauraki Peninsula. The eye of the visitor is naturally first drawn into what may be termed a striking object lesson situated in the centre of the space devoted to mining exhibits. This is a large obelisk mounted on an imitation granite pedestal and covered with gold leaf so as to represent the actual output of gold from 1554, when the fields were first opened, down to December .Ist of ISOS. On the side of the obelisk is the notificaton that it is built to scale on a 22 carat basis, which represents the total value of £5,170,----2fiG. This it should be borne in mind is the gold that -was accounted for, but if stories of the old times are to be believed the actual output of the precious metal was much larger. Then too it must also be remembered that in the early days 45 per cent, of the assay value was about the amount saved by the rough and ready appliances then in vogue, so that even this obelisk does not fully represent the actual richness of the reefs in the Hauraki Peninsula. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND EXHIBIT. Of special interest is the valuable collection shown in a large glass case near the centre of the court by the Bank of New Zealand. This is almost as varied as it is valuable, and to show that the Executive fully appreciate that fact Mr E. C. Healey has been engaged for the sole purpose of watching the rich specimens shown in the mining court, added to which a couple of constables arc also continually in attendance. Reminiscences of the early days of the Thames are to be seen in the Bank of New Zealand collection in the shape of some very rich specimens from the famous Thames gold producer of the early days—the Caledonian mine, and also from the Moanataiari and Long Drive mines. Unfortunately the great richness of these specimens is not fully apparent, for the simple reason that they are not placed in glass vases filled with water. To the mining man this is not necessary, but for casual visitor there is nothing like water to throw the gold out prominently. In this glass case may be seen a large ingot of gold as prepared by the bank for export, slabs of refined silver, a bar of the • average Thames bullion, an ingot of cyanide bullion from the Mariposa mine at Kuaotunu, ingots' of bullion from the" "Waihi,' Talisman, Waitekauri, Hauraki, and N.Z. Crown Mines, also a bar of pure gold refined from 10-.v grade bullion, an ingot of silver chloride as well as a tray of chemically pure silver. Here also is to be seen alluvial gold of all descriptions from other parts of New Zealand,, such as Boatmans gold from near Reefton, from jStlson Creek, Grey River, Tapu district near Greymouth, Maiori Creek, Grey, dredge gold from Cromwell's, St. Bathan's, nugget gold from the Arrow a 3J oz nugget from Stafford, others from Reefton, Queenstown, Kumara, Ross, gold iro:r. Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu from Wilsons River, Bald Hill, Alexandra, four nuggets from Hokitika, dredge gold from Milton, Mataura, gold got in IS6I at Taupeka, gold from the Ophir River, Omarau gold from hydraulic sluicing at Alexandra, Otago; also from the Molyneaux; also gold from Grey River, Mt. Ida, Ruthglyn, and Waikonaiti. Another interesting exhibit is platinum from Riverton. There is also shown a unique example of gold crystals believed to have come from the Old Man's Range, Alexandra, and a cake of gold from Oreputui. Riverton. In fact in the Bank of New Zealand exhibit may be seen gold of every description from all over the colony. CAPTAIN HODGE'S COLLECTION. Situated in the centre of tne court are the splendid exhibits of Captain Hodge, manager of the Hauraki Group of mines at Corornandel. Enclosed in a large glass case, situated in the centre of the area allotted to Captain Hodge, is a splendedly executed model of the Kathleen Company's mine, showing the formation of the country, the buildings, poppet legs and winding apparatus, as well as the inner workings. The latter effect has been attained by removing the earth from where the shaft goes down, so that the visitor can see all .the timberings as if down to a depth of 200 feet. All the buildings on the surface are faithfully reproduced to the smallest detail. This interesting exhibit is the handiwork of Mr C. Evenson, done in his spare time, and to this gentleman is also due the credit for the admirable arrangement of the rest of the collection. No doubt, however, to the average visitor the most striking fea- j ture of the collection is the represent tation of the bullion won-from, several of the leading mines xmder Captain Hodge's charge. Foremost amongst these is the Hauraki, represented by a pyramidal pile of golden ingots illustrative of the £246,157 12/8 taken out of this property in about two years. In this pile are facsimiles of | the 253 ingots, each of which was worth about £950. Next in order of value is the Ivapanga pyramid, showing that since ISS6 no less than £33,461 8/5 was won from this property, and the sensational finds of tributers during the last few months prove conclusively that there is still much more of the precious metal ", aiting to be taken out. Then there is also the Royal Oak of Hauraki, with a pyramid of ingots, showing that since 1597 the English company that acquired this property took out £ 33,250 as the result of treating about 350 tons of ore. This return, however, does not represent the total output from the mine, for 25 years ago the old Royal Oak was paying dividends, and out of the Tokatea ground now included in the area held by the English company no less than £159,----535 worth of gold was taken by a local company in the early days. These, however, .refer to pajst "results;

but in order that the visitor may gather some idea of the richness of the Coromandel ores, Captain Hodge has placed on exhibition—under a glass case—^-a collection of very rich specimens. On the top is a block of quartz 330 Jb in weight, from the Royal Oak mine, showing the character and Strength of reef. Other specimens are from the 400 ft level of Scotty's, from the Golden Pah, and from the recent discovery at the 80ft and intermediate levels of the Union Beach section of the Hauraki mine. Some of the specimens are very rich, and one or two samples of flake gold are Aery captivating to the eye. There is also shown in this collection stone from the Tokatea reef taken at a "depth of 1,050 feet from the top of the range. There are also shown in bottles rich bits of gold, like nuggets, taken off the quartz; also crystals covered with flake gold, and one stone absolutely covered with leaf gold. Some interesting samples of calcite, or crj'stallised qiiartz, are also included in the admirable collection of Captain Hodge. These are really reef casings, generally encountered when the drive breaks into a cave. Some of the samples are pure white, others consist of large faced crystals of a beautiful amber tint, and on one specimen particularly these crystals are scattered over a surface of smaller white ones, thus producing a peculiar effect not often seen. Above the collection are large photographs of the various mines in the Hauraki group. This-interesting collection is to be sent to London, and will no doubt be on exhibition in the world's metropolis as evidence of the richness of Coroihandel. ■ N.Z. GOVERNMENT EXHIBITS. A large space on the southern side of the Court is devoted to the exhibition of the collection of geological specimens forwarded by the Mines Department, which form an interesting and valuable addition to the MiningCourt. The samples arc shown in glass cases, there being- over I.SOO specimens of various ores, reef casings, and country rocks, collected by the Government Geologist, Mr McKay, some time ago when lie made a mostexhaustive examination of the whole of the Hauraki Peninsula. The casual visitor may not fully estimate the value of this exhibit, but from a geological point of view it is a most interesting collection. Samples may here be seen of dark andesite (hard bar) rhyolites, green and grey andesites from the South, and also the decomposed andesites and prop3 rlites which carry most of the- rich ore shutes There are also shown samples of ash beds, interstratified Avith lava stream. Metamorphic rock from North West-land arc included in the collection, also a half-ton specimen of antimony ore from the Golden Treasure mine, Reefton, and the mouth of the Taieri River, Otago; and samples of virgin copper and copper sulphides from the Champion mine, Aniseed Valley, Nelson.

The extensive lodes of copper bearing ore which exist in the Marotiri or Chicken Islands, off Whangarei Heads, are well represented by an excellent collection of copper specimens exhibited by Mr McKay, who has been prospecting on these islands for a considerable time past with much success. Mr McKay has in the Mineral Court a glass case containing a large number of splendid specimens of .copper from the big reef of heavily mineralised, ore on Mona Island, one of the Marotiri Group. Copper is present in the stone in large quantities, and the appearance of the stone is exceeding]}' promising for the copper deposits on the Chickens. The stone is taken from the workings at the southwest side of the island, where Mr McKay now has a drive into the face of the lode for about 27ft. The collection of specimens is well worth inspection by those interested in the development of our mineral resoxirces.

Petroleum shale is also shown from the Cambrians, Central Otago, and there is a large block of silver ore from Maratoto, Ohinemuri Country. In glass cases arranged round the space allotted to the Government exhibits is also a collection of nearly all kinds of minerals from various parts of the world. Here may be seen native silver from. Peru, oxides and sulphides of silver from Europe, gold ores in endless variety, mixtures of copper, lead, zinc, and pyrites, copper in its virgin state, and in combination with baser materials; scheelite, chrome, metoe.rie iron, and many other things wonderful and rare. Of especial interest to Aucklanders is the fine collection of quartz samples occurring- in tlie Hauraki Peninsula. These are very varied, ranging from the massive crystalline varieties which occur in the northern districts, to almost pure sinter in" the more southern parts. On four pyramidal stands set in line with the cases are bulk samples of ore and quartz from some of the well-known Ohinemuri mines, refractory ore from the New Find mine at Te Aroha, being shown; also samples from the Martha lode, Waihi. On some of these stands are included minerals shown by the Mining Committee and Waihi and Crown Companies; quartz from the Moanataiari, the Magnolia, the Waitekauri, Crown, Ivanhoe, Monowai, and many other mines. All the specimens in the Government collection have been carefully labelled by Mr McKay, and visitors are thus enabled to obtain knowledge of the geology of the goklfields as well as a fair idea of the mineral resources of the colony.

COROMANDEL SCHOOL OF MINES,

lAt the eastern side of the big- obelisk is situated the exhibits forwarded by the Coromandel School of Mines, i which are rich, varied, thoroughly rep- ! Tentative, and interesting-. Risingtier upon tier in a walled in space are all sorts of samples of the various products of the Coromandel district, the ores and country rocks having been scientifically classified by Mr J. M. McLaren, Director of the School. Included in this collection are also exhibits of ores from Qpitonui, Kuaotunu, Mercury Bay and Cabbage Bay. Most of these samples of ore are not rich in gold, but still are valuable as specimens of the reefs now being exploited. From Opitonui is shown a magnificent block of crystal quartz, as well as gold-bearing ore. Amongst the exhibits are some from the Royal Oak mine, which show that the country rock encasing" the golden quartz at 400 feet from thesurface is totally different from that surrounding the same reef at 1000 ft from the crown of the hill; one being andesite, and the other slate formation. Specimens are also shown from the various levels in the Kapanga, as well as several long cores of rock, cut out by the diamond drill, from below the bottom of the 1000 ft shaft. Other interesting specimens are shown from the Tokatea, Harbour View, and Hauraki Associated Reefs and Bunkers Hill mines. One of the most ■striking exhibits is a golden butterfly obtained in the Hauraki As-"

sociated Reefs mine, which appears to have just alighted on a piece of crystalline quartz. This may be seen in a glass case near the eastern end of the section, where there is also a sample of quartz absolutely covered with leaf gold. Models of timbering1 mines are also shown. The exhibits are not, however, solely to mining. Cabbage Bay shows samples of coal and polished slabs are on view of nil the various timbers found in Coromandel County. Kauri gum is also shown as a product of this district, and there are a series of views of Coromandel as it appeared in 1566 and others showing the great progress, made as illustrated by pictures as the district is at the present time. THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES. Another exhibit of great interest is that of the Thames School of Mines, which reflects credit on the director, Mr Allan, and his assistants. Included in the exhibit are models of shaft, chamber, and crosscuts, timbered in the manner adopted in mining. These are the work of Mr P. Greydon and Mr Alex. Whitely. One model also made by Mr Greydon illustrates the method of mining- for quartz, showing the drives and stopes along the reef, together with single and double log posses, ladder ways, ore shoots, etc. i Mr E. G. Williams shows.a small iron model of Walker's patent detaching hook to prevent accidents in case of over-winding, also a. model of poppet legs. Another interesting exhibit in this collection is a- model of the German patent system of sinking a shaft through what is known as floating country, or drift ground. There are models of underground spherical brick dams,, such as are used to pro* vent the overflow of water in underground workings, and another model of a. dam with segments, showing how it is fitted into the surrounding rock. Among these German models is a perfect working miniatureooflfa single acting plunger pump. These may be termed the instructive exhibits from the School of Mines, but on a stand is shown a valuable collection of ores and specimens perhaps more calculated to interest the casual visitor. Here may be seen rich specimens from the New Albumin mine, shown by Mr R. James, a block of cinnabar from Kauaeranga Creek, shown by Mr R. Stevenson, also quicksilver won from the ore, and a collection of .samplcss of rock-formation and the class of quartz found in the. vicinity of the Kaiser mine, shown by Mr James Park. There are samples of rocks and quartz from the North Star mine, sulphates of iron from the Moanataiari and KuranuiCaledonian mines, sulphates of lime in country rock from the Moanataiari and epsomite, from which the wellknown Epsom salts can be made, from the Hauraki, Golden Age, and Waiotahi mines. Near at hand in a large double-sided glass case on a stand is a large collection of rocks, quartz and mineral specimens from nearly the whole of New Zealand,, and above it are some rich specimen stones from the old Waiotahi mine which convey an idea how that compa,ny has paid dividends continuously for nearly a quarter of a century. CHAMBER OF MINES. The interesting collection recently acquired by the Auckland Chamber of Mines has also been placed on view in large glass cases. This collection like, that of the Government is of especial interest from a geological point of view. It includes over 400--speci-mens of various ores and country rocks from the Hauraki Peninsula, carefully prepared and named by Mr T. Cheeseman, Curator of the Auckland Museum. The locality from whence they were obtained is also mentioned, so that a vast amount of information may be gathered from these geological exhibits. THE WAIHI MINE.

While Thames and Coromandel have shown captivating-looking specimens of rich golden ore, an exhibit of quite another class is on view in the space allotted to the Waihi Company. It was but fitting that the mine which first demonstrated what might be done with our low-grade ores should have a space all to itself. Tempting as undoubtedly are the rich specimens already described, Aucklanders have of late years leai-ned that on the low-grade ores of,the Ohinemuri district to a great extent rests the, permanency of mining as an industry. In the Waihi Court may be seen a splendid object-lesson in. the shape of a large obelisk covered with gold-leaf, which- represents the £ 8(55,000 worth of bullion won since IS9O from the low-grade lodes in what Mr Seddon, on his recent trip to the goldnelcls, described as the premier mine of the colony—the Waihi. Surrounding the obelisk are pyramids of quartz taken from the Martha, Welcome and Victoria lodes at the various levels in the Waihi mine. Some samples are mineralised, others oxidised, some free and others refractory, but although unattractive in appearance the tangible resxilts from working these ores, as shown ■by the obelisk, form a thoroughly convincing argument as to the actual value of the ore. MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS. In the Mining Court are other exhk bits also of interest. On a safe near the Government collection may be seen blocks .of rich ore taken from the Barrier Reefs mine-at Gi*eat Barrier Island. Close at. hand, in ejght large glass globes, are shown by Mr Thomas Seccombe blocks of opalescent rock from Tairua, and on a card near hy is the statement that there are countless tons of this stone awaiting the advent of capitalists; Adjacent to these exhibits, in a glass ca.se, are shown various samples of tin and copper, as well as carbonate of lead from Tasmania. Near the centre of the Court is a pyramid composed of ore > from the Te Puke Reefs mine-, near Tauranga, taken from a 25-foot reef, in which assays for over 200 feet showed the stone to have an average value per ton of £2 1/2. A placard on this exhibit states the ore can be mined and treated by the wet crushing process at a cost of 11/ per ton. This is calculated on a basis of a 20-stamper battery, and, of course, economical management.