Treasure Hunters.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 615, 4 July 1908, Page 2

Treasure Hunters.

Some mm go out after gold and silver, .some after coal seams, others after oil; but the farmers should go nut in .search of those treasures of the earth that will add to the fertility of the s:iil and cheapen the working of his land. Of such treasure is rock phosphate. We are reminded of this by the gift of two specimens of this mineral to the Feild-ng Museum; and this suggests tlmt an effort should be made in this district to prospect for phosphate. One of the results of the Nature Study columns in the Stak Supplement was the encouragement of a spirit of research and investigation on tlio part not only of students of bur schools, but also or- men wjjo have spent much of .their time in th« op»u

air. Not the least interesting development of tho investigations already mado was tho presenting of a j pair of mna bones to our Museum, and those bones wore found in a limestone country. And that is the i country in which to prospect for the | precious phosphate, which is as valuable almost as gold to the tiller of tho soil. Tho winter season will soon pass away, and residents in this 'district will bo organising the usual summer expeditions into the ranges, in search of adventure and that something now which lies at the back of all enterprise and exploration. Why not devote some timo to the definite object of searching phospate rock •in limestone country? On the other side of the ranges, out Woodyille way, there is likely 'limestone, country ; but there would be oven bettor prospects up tho Main Trunk line in the region where the discovery of the inoa bones was made. Wherever there are caves there is limestone, anil if there are remains of birds in the locality, then the chance of finding phosphate is a likely one! It is also thought that in the Kawhia and the north of Auckland districts there is promising country. At the present time tho workable finds of the much-neoded rock are confined to Otago, and down there the discovery has ii good deal of tho ramanco of research in it. Thousands of tons of valuable phosphate went the way of rubbish for years before its value was realised. With that knowledge to begin with up here and investigation conducted along definite lines, thero .should bo not only a .substantial reward for the discoverer, but tho farming romnnmity of tho North Island would be greatly boneiittod thereby. And tho facilities offered by the State aro so encouraging. To the scientific investigator who may be but an amateur geologist the Agricultural Department offers tho services of its export chemist, who will tost specimens free of cost. And for the utilitarian, who wants to see .some tangible return for his time and talent the Government offers a bonus for the discovery of rock phosphate. We hope the spirit will move sorao of our people to study this subject and devote to it some practical investigation.