A RETURN FROM THE MAROTOTO STONE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9066, 29 May 1888, Page 6

A RETURN FROM THE MAROTOTO STONE.

It has often been a subject of comment that our miners, in dealing with the complex ores of the up-country districts, labour under great disabilities in gauging the value of the stone they break out, and often set a price thereon which falls short when the returns are received from a shipment, or treated at the hands of a local firm. In almost every instance, however, these trials have proved beyond doubt what we have always contended for, viz., that the wealth we possess, but lack the processes of manipulation or reduction to extract that wealth from the stone. The advent of foreign capital into our midst recently will, we trust, obviate this want, and a few shipments like the one we now record must inevitably bring to our relief men endowed with such scientific attainments and practical knowledge of the treatment of ores, as will obviate the necessity of sending ore abroad for treatment. It will be remembered that a month or two apo, Mr. H. S. Meyers took over to Sydney from the Marototo Company's mine one ton and a half of stone, which the directors in Sydney decided upon making into three lots, and sending to various establishments for treatment. One lot was sent to the Dry Creek Smelting Works, Adelaide, and after allow ing for moisture and the bags, the smelters returned from 9cwt. of stone a cheque for £75135, being the net amount after deducting all expenses for treatment, &c., or at the rate of £168 per ton net. The returns from the lots sent to Ballarat and Sandhurst may be expected by the next mail. A second lot of ten tons, under the charge of Mr. Anderson, left here a short time ago, but it is just possible that a portion of this will go to Ereilbajrg and America. .:,. ~