A MINERAL MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10405, 1 April 1897, Page 6

A MINERAL MUSEUM.

AN IMPORTANT PROJECT. At a meeting of the Council of the Auckland Institute yesterday, a commencement was made with a project of great importance for the district. On the return of Mr. James Stewart from London, ho informed the Council of the Institute (of which he is a member) that he had seen Mr. Thomas Russell in London, and that that gentleman had informed him that he was ready to contribute £100 to the Institute, to be expended in any way the Council thought proper. It was agreed by the Council that Mr. Russell should be asked to procure in London a group of the larger carnivora for the Museum. It appears, however, that there had been some misunderstanding between Mr. Stewart and Mr. Russell, for on the latter reaching Auckland he stated that he understood that Mr. Stewart was to purchase articles in London to tho amount named. As nothing I had been done, he considered that it would j

be better to expend the money on a collection which would exhibit the mineral wealth of the district, and which would bo of service to all engaged in the mining industry, and indeed to all interested in mining. With this view, he asked Mr. James Russell and Mr. Seymour George to take in hand the collection of specimens. At the meeting of the Council yesterday, the following memorandum was read showing what is proposed in forming the collection :—

The object in view is to form a collection 1 of mineral specimens to illustrate the geological structure and mineral resources of the Auckland mining districts, those at present iu view being the Cape Colville Peninsula, Puhipuhi, and the Bay of Islands. To carry out this work the following collections-will be required: First, an introductory collection, intended to explain the characters of minerals, and to show how they can be recognised and distinguished one from another. This collection would be of considerable value, for it would teach what is difficult or almost impossible to acquire from books alone. Second, collections to illustrate the geological structure of the three mining districts mentioned above. These should contain carefully selected specimens of the chief rocks of each district. The labels should give full information is to the character of each specimen, and its importance to the practical miner. Third, local collections from groups of mines, or smaller mining districts. These should contain specimens from all reefs or lodes of importance that are being worked or prospected, together with samples of the "country'' rock, and particularly of the roof and footwalls of tile lodes and reefs. Specimens should also be obtained of the " dyke rocks" or " horses" that are met with in the workings, and of any other marked changes of"rock that may occur. Great care should also be taken to obtain the special minerals or ores found in the lodes. In the case of mines of the first importance, these specimens should, where practicable, be accompanied with plans showing the position and direction of the lodes. To form complete collections in accordance with the above scheme will take some considerable time, and the aid of the whole mining community should be sought. The Chamber of Mines should be asked to cooperate. Mine managers might give valuable assistance by sending well-selected specimens from the mines under their care. Specimens of rocks, etc., should not be less that six by four by one inch, carefully chipped so as not to show a bruised surface. But the best plan would be, where practicable, to send all samples in larger rough blocks to the Museum, where a skilled workman could prepare the finished specimens. Where possible all specimens of rocks should contain one from the solid and another in its decomposed or surface condition. Samples of special minerals or ores cannot always be chipped, but should be sent as large and showy as can be obtained. The chief cost would be in the packing and freight. When the collections are completed, it is proposed to arrange them in the Museum, in suitable, well-lighted cases, mounting the specimeus either on wooden tablets or in cardboard trays. In all cases, they should be accompanied with printed descriptive labels, as far as possible free from uunecessary technichal terms. - Auckland, March 15, 1897. The members of the Council were unanimous in the opinion that such a collection would bo of great service, and that the institute should do everything possible to aid in the making of the collection and in the classification and display. It was agreed that the secretary should communicate with the Minister of Mines in order to obtain the assistance of Mr. McKay, of the Geological Department, who is at present engaged in a geological examination of the Thames Poninsula.