PROFESSOR BLACK AT COROMANDEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7514, 18 December 1885, Page 3

PROFESSOR BLACK AT COROMANDEL.

The abovenamed gentleman and his staff, accompanied by Mr. H. Kenrick, 8.M., arrived in Coromandel on Saturday last, and held the first of a course of lectures in the schoolroom the same evening. There was a very large and attentive audience. Mr. i adman, M.H.R., occupied the chair. A formidable array of bottles, acids, retorts, ko., was displayed on the table. The Chairman introduced Dr. Black, who, in coming forward, said he had gr<«at pleasure in meeting the people of Coromandel, and Mr. Kenrick and himself bad arranged so as to give as much time as possible to this district, and for that purpose Mr. Fenton would attend to assay stone in the mornings. Mr. Montgomery would take a class eaoh day for the blowpipe, and he himself would take testing classes from four to six and from seven to nine each day, and finish up with a leotnre after nine o'clock. Mr. Montgomery would also lecture when he was gone. The doctor then explained the present theory of how quartz reefs ware formed, and how gold came into them. He explained the universality of oxygen, there being an enormous quantity in sea water, lime, and almost every other substance. Lime also contained a large percentage of carbonic acid. He showed that this gas also was almost universal. As to the formation of quartz, the old theory was fire, but that was exploded long ago. It was now believed that in old geological days there was considerable shrinkage, causing fissures, which became gradually filled up with quartz, but even that would not account for all. Many leaders were formed in a different way ; some fissures were formed by shrinkage from cooling and earthquakes. The Professor then took common glass, ground fine, and floor spar, and sulphuric acid, which were placed in a retort, and heat applied, and in a very abort time there was deposited in a glass jar through a syphon, a substance resembling quartz. The Professor then enumerated a large number of minerals, which oan be made to take a great number of forma by combinations. The lecture was highly interesting throughout. At the conclusion a very hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed which was carried by acclamation, and the meeting separated. On Monday all the classes were very largely attended, and at 9 o'clock Professor Black again delighted his audience by various experiments, and further illustrated the sub' ject of pratical chemistry. On Tuesday the miners and others were even more enthusiastic JThe Professor showed gold in solution and in precipitation, and gave a very interesting history of the theory of the growth of nuggets, and gold generally. Be strongly urged all to join the School of Mines now being formed. A committee of four gentlemen was elected to canvass tho distriot, and a large number put their names down in the room. Mr. Montgomery is to remain for the remainder of the week, and will lecture and take classes during that time., At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks were given to Dr. Black and Warden Kenriok for the interest they had taken in the matter. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceeding to a close.—[Own Correspondent, December 16.)