CANTERBURY MARBLE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1867, 20 April 1878, Page 2

CANTERBURY MARBLE.

(From the " Lyttelton Times.") Some splendid specimens of red and grey marbles, quarried and polished for tho Directors of the Canterbury Marble Quarry Company, are now on viow in Ohristchurch. Tho most cursory examination s>ows that all tho specimens possess great density, that they are singularly free from flaws or other imperfections, and that while in each block thero is general uniformity in tho marking and coloring, there is also a wonderful variety, which will abundantly ropay a more minuto inspection. Unquestionably with tho general public the rod marblo will be awarded tho pre-eminence. Mr Proctor has worked small pieces into forms suitable for paper weights, and thus treated they form ornaments which many would gladly possess, if they could bo obtainod at a moderate coat. For ! mantelpieces, for the inlaying of pilasters in the better class of buildings, and for various other purposes, such marblo can scarcely fail to command an extensive sale. From tho statement made by the directors, it appears that the Company was formed in January, 1876, for the purpose of working the extonsivo marble reefs upon their property at the Malvern Hills. Tho reefs are situate upon tho southern slopes of a conical hill, some oight miles from the Whitecliffs railway station, and they consist of rich red and grey marble* In tho work of tracing out tho reefs it has been discovered that tho valuo of tho property was much greater than had at first boon anticipated, and the capital has, therefore, been employed in developing tho enterprise as far as possible, and in introducing the marblo to tho notice of the public. Samples have boon forwarded to England and also to Melbourne and encouraging reports a«j to its quality hfivo been received from well-known firing Those reports have been confirmed by the analysis of Professor "Biekortnn. Further than this, the directors have received promises of extensive orders. The principal reefs lnve been stiippod, and a largo quantity of marblo Ins' been quarried, the blocks obtained from the grey roofs being particularly massK'o.';ln f l varying in sizo from half a tort' to 10 ' tons ami upwards in measurement. All are peifeotlv sound and rich in colour. In tho red marble tho blocks have proved to be nearly as largo, and of beautiful color throughout. Samples of both marbles have been prepared and polished, and are now oh view in Christchurch, Wellihgtbn, Dunedin, and other places. "