COPPER AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 547, 14 August 1865, Page 4

COPPER AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

We are very glad to be able to report that there is every indication of a very extensive copper mine at Ivororarika, at the Bay ot Islands. It lias been i'ound on land belonging to Mr. J onnson, and from appearance and so far as can be at present ascertained, there is good reason for believing that a large hill is to a very large extent composed of copper ore, of apparently line quality. It is believed by soma persons who have examined specimens obtained that there are indications of silver and of tin being there also. A miner who is at present engaged in examining the place, speaks very confidently of copper existing in very great abundance, and having worked as a miner in South Wales ; he ought to be able to form an opinion on the subject. Specimens were brought to town on Saturday, and will no doubt be carefully examined and analysed, and Mr. Johnson, the owner of the laud on which the copper is found, also came to town on that day. We trust that he will at once take steps to test the value and probable extent of the copper, and that he will also lose no time in either working it himself or in forming a company for that purpose. Every day's delay in the development of our mineral wealth is a great loss to the Colony in every respect. It influences the money and the labour market and retards our progress in every possible way. Here we have lying in close contiguity, copper and coal, two of the most valuable metals we could have. The one will at once vastly improve our prospects and promote trade and commerce, by retaining in the Province vast sums of money which we should otherwise have to send out for it, and this is, in fact, equal to the introduction of so much foreign capital among us, and an increase to the money at our disposal. The other, copper, will not only supply all our home wants, but also afl'ord a most valuable export by which we can pay for goods we require to import instead of sending out either gold or " promises to pay," which really mean gold, that has either to be ' sent out to pay for these imports, or which is the same thing in effect, that prevents it coming into the Province.

Then, again, there would be great encouragement to agriculture, for our population would be constantly increased, more moutlis would require to be fed, and would have the means of procuring food and the circle of benefits accruing from the benefits of energetically availing ourselves of the wealth which nature has so bountifully given us, will constantly increase. Naturally the people look to our moneyed men to take the lead in these matters, and either singly or by combination effect the desired object. 'The copper mine in question is some ten miles nearer to the Bay than the coal-field. We see no reason whatever why these two minerals should not be worked immediately, the coal being the handmaid of the copper, and assisting to make it all the more _ easily turned into money. We had occasion to speak on Saturday in terms of commendation of Mr. £'amuel Cochrane for the public spirit he is showing, and we shall be glad to find that others follow his example, and not only talk about these things, but earnestly set about doing them. They would find their own profit and the public advantage co-extensive, and we should then have our mining and ship-owning aristocrats, our owners of 41 black and brown diamonds," and our " merchant princes," to put against the squatocraey of the South.