ADVERTISING THE COLONY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 3

ADVERTISING THE COLONY.

'DR. BELL'S LECTURING TOUR,

INCLUDES EUROPE AND AMERICA.

t PROSPECTS OF THE NORTH.

Dr. Bell, Director of Geological Survey for the Government, who is at present in Auckland was waited upon at the Grand Hotel yesterday, by a representative of the Auckland " Star." Dr. Bell is evidently a busy man, for even at half-past S o'clock in the evening ho was still at work with his secretary. The reporter was, however, courteously received, and for a little while the secretary had a rest. " There is so much to do," said Dr. Bell, when one is going away for a long trip."

" May I ask what is the main object of your present trip abroad ?"

" It is simply to give to the countries I visit a scientific account, or, in other words, a correct description of the great natural resources, geologically, of Xew Zealand—really to advertise the colony.

"It is my intention to leave Auckland on the 10th by the Manapouri for Suva, and from there go by the' Manuka to Vancouver. Thence on to Portland (Oregon), where I aim to deliver a lecture on- the conditions of life and' the natural resources of New Zealand. After that I propose to make a brief excursion to'the Rocky Mountains, in the Mount Sir Donald district, and then go on to Ottawa, to spend ■ a -few days with my people. Early in October I am to go to Boston, and deliver three lectures at Harvard University on "Thermal Phenomena in the Hot Lakes District," " Glaciation in the Southern Alps," and "The Natural Mineral Resources of New Zealand." Subsequently I am to deliver the same lectures at Yale University. I also am to attend the convocation of the Queen's University at Kingston, Canada, on October 16th, and deliver a lecture on " The Physical Features of New Zealand." After that 1 am to lecture at. the Wisconsin University, Madison. Then I propose to return to Boston, and speak at the Victoria Club, and other institutions in that city. I am next to cross the Atlantic, and early in November lecture before the Royal Geographical Society of England, also at Cambridge University on the 10th of that month, and if I can find time I will also visit Scotland, where it is probable I may lecture before the Scottish Geographical Society, but so far no fixture has-been made." GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. "We are naturally anxious to have a geological survey at this end of the colony, and the thought naturally arises, will the work be stopped while you, are away?"

''By no means, the work will go on all the same. I have now a strong staff around mc, arid my nest in command in the department of, geological survey, Mr P. G. Morgan, first assistant, will carryon the work. All my assistants are given their separate work to carry out during my absence from tlie colony, in Westland, Nelson, and probably Central Otago. We shall also have extensive work done at Thames and near Whangaroa. The area stretching southward from Whangaroa harbour, beyond Ohaewai is rich in economic interest. There are copper deposits near Kaeo, iron ore deposits at the head of the Waitangi River, cinnabar deposits at Ohaewai, besides wide stretches of gold bearing rocks, and petroleum-bearing strata. Much of this interesting country has been but little explored so far. Mr Edward Clarke will start work there within the next couple of weeks."

"That," said the reporter, "naturally brings mc to the question of the copper deposits at Whangaroa. After your hurried visit last week, are you in a position to give any idea of their value?"

."As a matter of fact," Dr. Bell replied, "my observations, necessarily, with so short a time at my disposal, -were of a very casual nature. I do not like to give a definite opinion*on such short work. I may say, however, that, as far as I could judge from such a hurried visit, I think the prospects are very good. "Of course a lot of work requires to be done to prove the place, but I visited what workings there are." "Did you see copper ore?" "Yes." ? . "Do you consider it suitable for pyritic smelting?"

"I think the ore I saw eminently suited for treatment by, the system of pyritic smelting, but, as to the possibility of large deposits of ore being found there, that requires working to decide. We are going to carry out the surveys on an extensive scale next summer, and I mean to spend some time at Whangaroa myself when I return from this visit to America and Europe." "In the reports from Wliangaroa. the term 'nodules of ore' was used. 1 suppose it was some of these 'nodules' you saw?"

'•Well, that term is a wrong one. To speak correctly, they were lenses of sulphide ore', and, as I said before, .it is eminently suited for pyritic smelting." "Have you visited the Maharahara CoppeT: Mines yet?"

"No, I have not been able to do' so, and therefore cannot say anything about the prospects of that property." "Do you think there is a chance of copper being found in payable quantities in New Zealand?"

"I think there is. For instance, I consider Mount Radiant a property of considerable promise, but there also I have only been very casually, and cannot speak definitely. What is wanted on all these properties to prove their worth is work to locate definite reef bodies."

It will be seen that Dr. Bell has a busy time ahead of him. He takes with him a portfolio of lantern slides supplied by the Tourist Department, also products of his own camera. Dr. Bell hopes to leave England at the end of November, returning via France, Switzerland, Naples, the Red Sea, and Australia, arriving in this colony about the end oi December.