NEW ZEALAND MINERAL ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, 1 August 1916, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND MINERAL ASSOCIATION

HEADQUARTERS NELSON PROVINCE.

A practical step is now being taken. well calculated to tend, towards the earlv development of long neglected mineral Tesources. All sections of she Nelson Province known to be traversed bv ri-ch mineral tracts, -will be thoroughlv examined as to character and qualitv of minerals and metaliferous resources bv a partv of experienced miners and •' -conduct expoliting investigations under a well-qualified mineralogist, familiar with all the exigencies in the prospecting rfield. Approved sections will he pegged out for future development, taking precedence according to nature of ore, requirements' and demands of "overseas"' metal and mineral brokers, merchants, manufacturing depots, etc. The crude ore -will be tested by analysts at pros•pecting • camp, apparatus for such w.:ll form part of equipment of party. Some time since the metal and mineral merchants, etc., throughout Europe. America, Japan,-. England, and Australia -were circularised noting the various metals and minerals available in) New Zealand, only calling for systematic development. "Numerous replies were duiv received —France, Italy.. Greece, Norway, Denmark. Switzerland, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Holland, In dia, United State America, Englan.l {each, of the manufacturing cities), also . Australia. -' . i No further definite step was taken wv the matter, it being held in abeyance by j ~the initiators of this movement in con- j sequence of the inevitable unrest during: Enropean hostilities. However, several of the "overseas" metal merchants and . mineral brokers addressed by circul it notes, are now urging to obtain any availabU supply of metals and minerals; necessary to their particular require- i ments. ! In view of the fact that there j are 519 representative metal and mineral brokers whose names, addresses, business status, etc., were obtained for the various New Zealand foreign representative Consuls to ensure circulars being addressed only to reliable firms—a fairiy solid foundation was laid by the projectors of this mineral association.. Nelson: being considered by those initiating this movement to be very suitable for. headquarters, being the cent •? of the most highly mineralised, section of the Dominion—hence systematic investigations will be commenced in tlr's ■ district at early date. It behoves an v s«ttlers or other residents desiring thejr holding to be examined for minerals of commerce, such will be carried out upon sufficient evidence bv means of specimens personally obtained by applicant and submitted" for the approval and * Analytical tests oein? made bvMr liesnj Mac Arthur, F.G.S.r of this city (90 Hardy-street), it being entrusted to hi. province to direct the movements of ■prospecting mining camp, and who wil! -accompanv them to initiate operations at aoproved sections—which -will be ?*>•• cured on behalf of this Association for development by "overseas" capital. •Shipment advance is made on all minerals at agreed upon ration of an average value assay. It is understood that -the New Zealand Government will make direct purchase of scheelite, -which is known to exist in the Nelson districts, the following minerals of which specimens have been obtained from vario-i; sections of the Nelson, district *ty •settlers, road superintendents, deer.Ftalkers, etc.. the localities from whicn these were obtained will receive first attention: —Antimony, bismuth, chrome. - cinnibar, manganese, molybdenite, nickel nnd cobalt, platinum, phosphate rock. tin. scheelite, shale (petroleum}. •"Mr Mac Arthur proceeds to Wellington

this week to interview the Minister oi Alines, who, it is understood, is familiar with the at present latent mineral resources of Nelson Province. The objects ■will be- fully explained to the Minister with a view to obtain all Departmental •information in support and furtherance of this project. North Island', will probably be the next mineral centre visited by representatives of this Association.