KAWAKAWA.

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1889, Page 3

KAWAKAWA.

{From a Correspondent.) Mr Henry A. Gordon, F.G., of the Mines Departmenf , paid this place a visit on Wednesday, and inspected our mine. On the day following he left en route for Puhipuhi to examine into, and investigate the matter of the discovery of the find of a silver deposit there. It is to be hoped his tour will eventuate in good and practical benefit to your district. If this silver find prove to be a genuine affair it will been your district, and cannot fail to benefit us also.

I have seen specimens of the ore. Those I examined were poor ; but I found traces of silver. Possibly the specimens were obtained from the outcrop of the lode. The study and discrimination of silver ores is very important, and requires great attention. I have not heard of any native silver being found at Puhipuhi. Native silver often occurs accompanying other silver ores, and is sufficiently abundant to form the most valuable part of the ores. An important ore is |the "sulphide of silver " or vitreous silver (silver-glance argentite). It is found in different localities in New South Wales.

Native silver is not likely to be mistaken for anything else, its malleability and white characteristic colour being easy te. recognise. For tho information of prospectors 1 »ive the following which may prove of value to tY^m. _^^^w*>-q| A very simple test for the presence of silver in ores, is the following, and is taken from Charles H. Aarow's practical treatise on testing and working silver ores: — "The ore should le ground fine, and then a few ounces are mixed with about one-tenth of its weight of salt, and one- twentieth of copperas. This is placed in an old frying-pan and heated gently, so long as a smell of burning sulphur can be noticed, the 'mass being stirred with a thin bar of iron all the time. After all the sulphur has been driven off, the heat is increased for a few minutes to a light red, and the mass stirred until it swells up and becomes sticky, care being taken not to fuse the ore. The mass is then taken out and allowed to cool on a rock, and after a little more salt has been added, and the ore mixed with water to the consistency of mortar, a strip of sheet copper previously cleaned is inserted and left there for ten minutes ; the copper is then removed, washed in clean water, and if any silver is present it will be coated with a white substance, . which will be heavier or lighter according to the richness of the ore. and if very rich will ap • pear grey and rough. The frying-jfan should be smeared with clay or mud, and dried before being used."

Incidentally, I may mention that galenas ore is often rich in silver. Some galenas have been known to yield 1500 ounces of silver per ton. I have given the foregoing particulars for the guidiance of persons prospecting.