ASBESTOS.

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1909, Page 4

ASBESTOS.

„.♦ For the last fteen or twenty years 'it has been known that asbestos existed in large quantities in the country lying between the head of the Takak.i Valley and -Mount Arthur, -says' the Tames," Until lately, however, no "very systematic attempt has been made to prospect for this mineral- A syndicate formed in Auckland has, during the past summer, rather extensivJy prospected a lease held by them over ioo Screl- lituate* between .- head of Takaka and Cobb rivers. For several miles on either side of the lease has been found, but whether it exist in* payable quantities is not known, #s the most part of the country is dense bush. On thejease the fib f re exists all over the surface *jnd. the face where the^ lease is now.' be'Tigr prospected is some 30 feet deep, and for the wjiole depth the'-returns arc considered very encouragdng.' Fibre ( up to A inches in length is met with freely and it is asserted by the marager of the^ company tha.t fibre 1 inrh p length will\pay well At present""only the very best is sent away as 11 has to be packed over the ranges towards Motueka, a' distance of about 1? miles or so. What is needed to develop this very important industry is a jrood ccat? t road from "the mine iv fpme convenient port, asjheavy machinery is needed- at the mine for remov imr the waste rock quarried -from the *a.-c, and also for preparing the fibre for market. This machinery cannot be taken along the present track, so it

is, therefore, necessary to open a road .to meet the requirements of this--en-terprise.. Such a road would also open up a large extent of country the worst of which would carry sheep well, and many other valuable industries may eventuate. GUId has been found in jtrnst of the creeks and it is probable, that much more will be unearthed. It is t > be hoped that those in authority wi'l do "their utmost to provide the ro-jl so urgently required, and also see that it is taken along the best rovte which- there is sufficient reason to believe will, .upon' enquiry, be found to lead through the, Takaka Valley. The l^asc leferred, to is in the ,Takaka County, about 8 miles from the Flora Saddle.