DIVINING ROD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 30 August 1927, Page 3

DIVINING ROD

WORTHLESS TO PROSPECTORS NO DEVICE MADE THAT WILL LOCATE GOLD OR SILVER ORE. Human ingenuity has not perfected any special instrument or device which will enable man to discover mineral wealth beneath the earth’s surface. This, in effect, is the answer of United States scientists to numerous enquiries received asking whether such special instruments as the divining, diving or mineral rod, etc., are adapted, as claimed, to the location of buried treasure, like gold and silver ores and petroleum.

In replies to all such enquiries, the bureau of mines, department of commerce at Washington is advising that such claims are “extravagant,” and ara lacking in proof. The geological survey, department of the interior, uses stronger language in characterising such claims. It asserts that no rod or other device is made by which the location of buried treasure can be determined, and adds that claims to the contrary are “clearly fraudulent.” Both the bureau of mines and the geological survey point out that there are certain instruments, as for example, the dip needle, which are valuable aids in the hands of experts, for prospecting for some metallic deposits. It is emphasised, however, that its successful use requires a high degree of skill and experience in surveying. CAN’,T LOCATE TREASURE. The geological survey, in a general statement, in response to enquiries regarding mineral rods, says: “The geological survey has no mineral rods to sell or to lend. It does not use such rods in its surveys. “No rod or other device is made by which the location of buried treasure can be determined. Any claim that buried treasure may be found by such a device is clearly fraudulent. “Certain instruments, in the hands of experts, are valuable aids in prospecting for some metallic deposits. The dip needle, consisting essentially of a magnetised needle mounted somewhat like a compass needle, but free to swing in a vertical direction, is used in prospecting for magnetic iron ores, especially to outline areas in which more detailed prospecting by trenching or drilling may yield definite results. Its successful use, however, requires a high degree of skill and experience in surveying. ELECTRIC DEVICES USED. “Nonmagnetic materials, such as and silver, of course have no effect what ever upon this needle. Electric devices have lately been used to some extent in prospecting areas in which bodies of mineral- having a high electrical conductivity, such as .sulphides of iron and copper, may be found. The successful use of such instruments, which’ are complicated, requires even greater special skill and training than are needed for the successful use of the dip needle. “Neither electric nor magnetic instruments will show with certainty the location of profitable deposits. The best that can be expected of such devices, even in the hands of an expert, is that they will aid in eliminating from consideration ground that is of no value, and permit the concentration of further work on areas that seem to promise good results. One who has not sufficient technical training can not make profitable use of such an instrument.”

The bureau of mines, dealing with diving, divining and mineral rods,

“This office has received many enquiries regarding divining rods, mineral rods, etc., with reference to their adaptability for locating buried treasure, gold and silver ores, petroleum, etc. You are advised that the extravagant claims put forth by people who sell such contrivances have never been substantiated. DIP NEEDLE’S VALUE. “Special instruments, such as the dip needle, the magnetometer, and the d.al compass, have been successfully used in prospecting for magnetic iron ores in this and other countries. Such instruments are not useful in prospecting for precious metals or ores that have no magnetic effect.

“Much interest has recently been aroused in the use of various types of electrical prospecting devices, the seismograph, the torsion balance, etc., in the location of underground mineral deposits. These devices are, however, quite intricate and require the services of persons specially trained in their use.' They would be of no

value to one not versed in the principles of geology, physics, etc. “A working knowledge of geology and of the conditions under which ores are likely to occur is of the utmost value in prospecting for minerals. The question of locating buried treasure, however, is one of which it is impossible to give helpful advice of any kind.”