PARAPARA IRON ORE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 16 August 1907, Page 2

PARAPARA IRON ORE.

I FAVOURABLE REPORT FROM DR. BELL. "GREAT STORE OF MINERAL WEALTH/ (From Onr Speciai CorKSpondent.) WJiLLING-lON, Thursday. Tho third of a new series of bulletin-; frcm the Geological Survey Department, prepared by Dr Bell and his assistants, was presented to Parliament to-day. The bulletin deals with the Parapara sub-division, which contains about 243 Square miles aiid comprises the survey districts of Aorere and j Waitapu. The principal poyit of interest dealt with is of course the Parapara iron ore deposits. These deposits, states the report, are of "vast economic interest. "It seems remarkable," says tlie report, "that deposits of iron which are of such immensity, of such high average quality, and of such easy acessibility*. should have ranaijisd so loug 'un worked. Exposed as they arc to the surface, they possess every facility for cheap and easy winnig, while their close proximity; to the sea coast affords every • opportunity- for their exportation r in a crude state or as pig iron. The actual winning of tbe ore coiild be undertaken with little difficulty or expense, by simply quarrying on the open cut system . In the Mesabi section of Lakd Superior region, where somewhat sin-filar conditions prevail, the actual cost of mining is estimated at 80 cents, of 3s <M, a ton. 11l New Zealand, the average cost should not greatly exceed this amount, and mining operations might be conducted even inoie ecoiiojnicaliy." It will pl-.oliably be found 'expedient to convert the ore into pig iron before exportation., It is stated that suitable sites for blast furnaces and reduction works are available, whilst a little to the north of Tukurua Point a wharf could be erected. This, if carried out 67 chains, would give a depth of 30ft at low water The ore is stated to be of high grade and Well suited for the manufacture of iron and steei. The ore ii.7 tlie Waslibourne Block s^'ioWs a higheX qnality tliaii GtlleY al ; eas. * The quantity of ore, says the report, in the three blocks, (Washbourne, Tukurua, and Onakaka) is enormous. A rough estimate of the amount of ore showing on the surface of Washbourne's Block gave 22,691,762 tons. The amount in tnis one block may be much greater, and it is not likely to be less. The ore bodieß of the. three blocks are ail iii very accessible localities, beiilg lio-ivhere more than a few miies ir-drti tlle sea shore. The report goes on to say: — "It has been estimated by v6ry good authorities that at the present rate of con-siin-iption withii) fifty" years the world's visible supply of oi'es how considered of sufficiently high grade to be employed for manufacture, will be exhausted. In view of these considerations the value of the immense deposits .of jroli prfj a! I*!**!* .[lai'a cannot be doubled, arid lh* 1 day (7-s not seem far distant when this *_ • t store of mineral wealth will b: i "ised." The report deals alb) v *t ; i the mineral deposits of the district other tha,n iron ore, and it is stated that the wide range of .metallic conlenU represented "remarkable.". Reference is made to the copper, ores in Copperstain Creek and several auriferous areas in CoUingwood district, and it is suggested that fuither prospecting on careful lines may lead to fresh ancl valuable discoveries. Favourable notice is also given to the building and ornamental stones in the Parapara district. Granites of high quality, it is stated, occur in many parts, especially on Lead Hill and on l the Onahan Stream. All of these would i be useful for masonry, while some of them are fit fcr finer purposes. Reference is also made to the deposits of ! clay, lime, cement and coal which cxI ist in the district. I The Public Trustee, who is administeiing the estate of the kite Mr Alfred ! Cadman, is expecting a cable message frcm London announcing that £500.000 has been raised to work tfie iron deposits at Parapara. i