OSMIRIDIUM FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19124, 16 September 1925, Page 11

OSMIRIDIUM FIELD.

TASMAWAN DISCOVERY, GREAT RUSH OF MINERS. i INTENSE PRIVATIONS ENDURED* [l-ROir OCT OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, Sept. 11. Tasmania is excited over a find of os« miridium on tho west coast of tha island. Osmiridium has been found in small quantities on previous occasions, but tho [.resent centro of activities, what is known as tho Adams River field, is mors promising than any ever previously broached. Men, experienced and unexperienced, arc being attracted to tho field from all over tho island and from many parts of tho mainland by tha news of riches to be obtained by a few days* work, but, as generally happens in such rushes, it is the lucky few who ara getting rich quickly and tho unlucky many who aro slaving and suffering great privations. From July 1 to September 1. nearly 700 miners' rights for tho field were issued, and as they are increasing at tho rate of between 30 and 40 daily it *s more than probable that over men will bo engaged in osmiridium mining on tho now field beforo the rush dies. Tha field is remote. From tho nearest township, Fitzgerald, it is 25 miles to tho field, and that 25 miles is a chaos of mud. Tliero are no roads and pack horses havo to bo used to transport nil foodstuffs, mining material and other supplies from tho township to tho field. Needless to say, many fall by the wayside. Starting with the glamour of precious metal buoying up their courage, tho awful "via dolorosa" up the Derwcr.t Valley claims its victims. When tho field first started thero was a considerable lawless clement, but now tho police aro established and things aro quieter. Most of tho good country is now pugged out and latecomers havo to prospect new areas. Men are. fossicking in tho bush, but aro not meeting with much success, and tho newcomers on th? original claims aro the people who aro making tho money. Tho prico of osmiridium varies according to the quantities of iridium, osmium and other metals in the virgin ore, but as tho Tasmanian ore contains high percentages of tho moro valuable minerals tho lucky ones aro making good money.. The future of the fiold is said to depend on what action tho Government takes in providing communications to it. Experienced men who havo returned from the field state that there aro great possibilities, providing tho communication difficulty is overcome. Experienced men aro said to bo making from £3 to £4 a day on tho average, others more. Tho great majority of tho inexperienced men aro having a rough time, as one returned prospector described it, many of them finding it difficult to get enough food, let aloho osmiridium. But whatever tho future of the field, and whatever the returns, thero is no doubting that the find has set tho island all aflutter with excitement and anticipation.