CINNABAR AND QUICKSILVER MINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9095, 2 July 1888, Page 6

CINNABAR AND QUICKSILVER MINING.

Ik a former communication I stated the cheering prospects of a considerable stir in the country By the extensive works proposed to be at once set on foot at the Sulphur Springs, Ohaeawai, as a Sydney syndicate, under the direction of Mr. Hunt, of Shotover Celebrity, had purchased 450 acres c* !and adjoir'ng the Sulphur Springs from Mr. Earl, of umapere, at £10 per acre. It was also stated thai, some £2000 was to be at once laid out in the requisite plant and machinery, leaving a large surplus of the company's funds for works of a most extensive and as complete a character as possible to develop the return of quicksilver. Thi3 would of course give employment to a large number of people, and make a most desirable change in fhis hitherto very quiet and retired locality. It is therefore to be deeply regretted that there is a hitch, "a rift within the lute, to make such music sweet," at least for a time, owing to the action of the owners of the land adjacent to the company's late pu* :hase. It appears that the land so purchased did not take in where the principal bed of the cinnabar deposit is, but was rented by Mr. Earl, on a 21 years' lease, for £100 a year. In making the sale to the Sydney company, this lease was made over as a part of the bargain, but here the native owners step in and refuse to confirm the transfer, or rather refuse to permit any mining on the land, unless their land is also purchased at the same rate as Mr- Earl's land was sold for-, viz., £10 per acre. Last week Mr. Hunt and two experts arrived in Kawakawa, the "hope being that from the nature of the country the cinnabar deposits may be found in the lands purchased, as they have heard of many indications of such being the case. Before they make any further purchase, they are determined to thoroughly prospect their property, and perchance the result may be satisfactory, which is certainly to be desired, as a most desirable result, and defeat the very unexpected and unforeseen obstacle to the immediate commencement of works of such importance to the Bay of Islands County. The question of right to mine on the leasehold land was not inquired into at the fii-st, but as there was never any objection previously offered by the owners to Mr. Earl, he waa convinced that there would be none to the Company. But it appears, well as he knows or seems to know the native character, he has been caught napping this time.—[Kawakawa Correspondent.] ______