The Supposed Diamond Discovery near Auckland.

Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 50, 1 March 1883, Page 2

The Supposed Diamond Discovery near Auckland.

[By Txuorai-h.l [united preßß association. j Auckland, 28th February. Some diamondiferons soil brought from Baglan by Courtney and Douglas' diamond prospecting party, and which had last evening been placed in a leaden vessel containing hydrofluorio acid and sealed np, wa»

opened to-night in the presenooof witnessos. Four diamonds were taken out of tho orystals, three very small and ono larger, three-quarters oarat in weight, and valuod by Mr. Courtney at 42 10s. The pieces of white crystallised oarbon obtained stood the action of tho acid bettor than the South African oarbons put in, whioh Courtney states shows that the New Zealand oarbons are in a more advanced stato towards diamond formation than those of South Africa. The results exoeed Courtney's expectations. Tho stuff was obtained in a drivo made 35ft down the faoo of, a cliff, and sft in, a few miles from Raglan. The diamonds are to be presented to fha Mnietun, and plaoed beside those from Kimberley diamond field, presented by Sir Julius Vogel recently to the tfnsenm. Courtney stales that in purity and water the larger diamond exoets tho diamond presented by Sir Julius. This diamond will bo named the Courtney diamond. Among those present at the tests was the assayor of tho Bank of New Zoaland.