MINERAL QUEST BY EXPEDITION TO STEWART ISLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22816, 10 December 1948, Page 3

MINERAL QUEST BY EXPEDITION TO STEWART ISLE

(P.A.) DUNEDIN. Dec. 10. Radio-active minerals and useful minerals for new Dominion industries, botanical specimens and the original of tbe proclamation of British sovereignty over the southern islands in 1840 will be among the objects of a search by a large scientific expedition to the southern portion of Stewart Island at the beginning of next year. The project was originated by the School of Mines and the University of Otago, both as a definite prospect ing plan and to give students field experience, but other scientific workers have been given permission to accompany the party. The expedition will be led by the Dean of the School, Dr. G. .T. Williams, who made an intensive investigation of the Port Pegasus area in 1929. It will include four members of the staff of the school, 11 students, Dr. Basil Howard of Dunedin, liaison officer of (lie University of Otago and the foremost authority on the history of Stewart Island, Mr. William Martin, of Dunedin, a noted botanist and an authority on New Zealand, Mr. J. J. Reed, of the Government Geological Survey, a radio operator and a senior medical student. Practical Experience Dr. Williams explained that the expedition will give the students practical i experience in prospecting in an area likely lo present natural difficulties frequently encountered bv prospectors. Stewart Island was chosen as an area that is already known geologically to ■ some extent and where there is some chance of finding useful economic minerals

It is probably the most likely source of felspar which is so urgently needed in the ceramic industries. It is hoped also to find china clay deposits in the tin-range area where there were extensive gold mining and tin mining operations in 1880. So far New Zealand has yielded little uranium or other radio-active elements, but there is thought to be a distinct possibility it may be present in the Port Pegasus area, possibly not in extensive quantity. Dr. Howard will take advantage of the prolonged stay of the expedition at Port Pegasus lo make an extensive search for the original elusive proclamation o.f sovereignty which was buried on an islet in the harbour on June 5, 1840 and has never been found.

The expedition will be one of the largest and most important undertaking scientific investigations in New Zealand for some years.