SEARCH FOR PLATINUM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22126, 4 June 1935, Page 11

SEARCH FOR PLATINUM

AREA IN TARANAKI INVESTIGATION BY DIVINER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday Platinum deposits, with the presence of a few small rubies, are being investigated by Mr. R. W. Davies, of New Plymouth, in the hinterland of Awakino. The deposits are in a sedimentary wash in limestone formation, which was once sea bed. Mr. Davies states that he hope? to establish the presence of a chain of metal deposits across that part of the country. The discovery is not a new one, Mr. Davies having found the deposits 20 years ago. He sent samples to the Government analyst, and they were identified as genuine platinum. The presence of tiny rubies is said to be indicative of the great age of the deposits. In the past few days, Mr. Davies states, he has secured i 0 specks of precious metal to the shovelful. When the original discovery was made, Mr. Davies, who is a diviner, traced deposits' of mineral from the sea coast far into the country. He has bored in various places and found traces of metal. Reports of precious minerals in this part of Taranaki were first circulated some years ago, when two prespectors, Messrs. Lander and Hoskin, were stated to have found a soft, white, heavy metal, which they could bite with their teeth. A syndicate spent a considerable sum in further investigations, but, according to Mr. Davies, worked the wrong territory. It had no return for its work. Other prospectors have also worked the country, with small success. Mr. Davies has a considerable knowledge of Taranaki mineral deposits, and has rediscovered and opened many old mining works outside Taranaki. For his divining he has evolved rods consisting of tubes containing certain minerals, One tube is said to react in the presence of water and not to be affected by metals, while another reacts to minerals only.