“THE BEST IN POVERTY BAY.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3994, 26 July 1913, Page 2

“THE BEST IN POVERTY BAY.”

REPORT ON METAL SUPPLY. BEFORE THE WAIHOKU COUNCIL

To the Waikolui County Council yesterday, the Engineer (Mr J. Mouat) reported : Orr’s metal.—Since last meeting I have made a close investigation into this matter, with a view ci obtaining a knowledge of what.quantity of metal is obtainable and its accessibility. The amount of metal acquired in the Borough of Gisborne, the Cook County and Waikohu County approximates 50,000 cubic yards per annum,, and at Mr Orr’s there is visible sufficient to last at least*3o rears. As to accessibility, it is witfiin 30 chains of the 62nd mile of the Gisborne-Motu-Opo-tiki line by the Pakihi route, or within a mile and a-half of the railway line should the line be taken tho Papamoa route. The scheduled railway charge for railing metal 52 miles is 2s Id per ton, or 2s lOd per yard. The only remaining question to Solve in connection with tins metal.is the one of its quality. I attach a statement from Mr P. C. Morgan, Director of N.Z. Geol. Survey, as to its nature, etc. He says that it is a greywacke similar to that of which the" Ruahine range is composed; if this is so this metal has the same qualities as tho Napier shingle, and the metal of which the splendid roads in Hawke’s Bay are constructed. Excepting the Mangatu igneous boulders —the quantity of which has not been determined—there is.no other metal obtainable in Poverty Bay equal in value to this metal of Orr’s, and I say this advisedly, as IJiave an intimate knowledge of everybody of .stone in Poverty Bay. It will be best for the Council to visit this_ deposit, and I think -tho members will find sufficient evidence on the ground for them to form an opinion of their own. I am having four shots put in in four different places; tracks are being opened up in the creeks, and-the metal should be ready .for inspection within ten days. Report on sample of stone from Motuliora.—J. Mouat, Esq., Waikohu County Engineer: Dear Sir, —The sample of rock from tho base of Motuhora forwarded by you under date of February 7th is a somewhat finegrained greywacke of firm texture. A microscopic section has been made, which shows the rock to consist of fragments of quartz, feldspar, mica, etc., firmly compacted. Tne roc'k is of no particular interest (geologically) and is quite similar to the greywacke of the Ruahine range, Southern Alps, and other parts of New Zealand. Material of this character (i.e., fairly hard and firm) is suitable for roadmaking, and could be utilised for building purposes, though the lack of good bedding or jointing Manes generally detracts from its value for the latter purpose.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) P. G. Morgan, Director N.Z. Geol. Survey.

The Engineer explained that the face would he in readiness for inspection in a few weeks’ time, and the Council decided to make ..a special visit at a date to he fixed at the next meeting of the Council.