PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1057, 2 June 1892, Page 21

PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

REPORT ON SILVER AND CINNABAR DEPOSITS. Mr Alex. McKay, F.G.S., Assistant Geologist, who visited the Puhipuhi silver field in February last, has just presented his report to the Government. On the occasion of his first visit, over two years ago, the weather prevented him making extended investigations into the geological formation and nature of the workings, but the report now presented is complete and exhaustive. When we add that it is most hopeful in its tone with regard to the future prospects of Puhipuhi, those who have invested money in any of the mines there, and have been discouraged by disappointing returns, may once more take heart of grace. After describing in detail the various mines visited, Mr McKay reports that his examination leads him to the conclusion that the Puhipuhi silver field forms part of a mineralised region, extending along the east coast of the Auckland Peninsula, both to the north and south of the limits of thi3 field. The quartz reefs are well defined, and prove themselves that they live through a vertical depth of 500 to 700 feet, while there can be no doubt that they continue to a great depth below the drainage levels of the country. Almost all the reefs contain silver ore, more or less, and this is also a hopeful sign for the field and its future prospects. Unfortunately, adds Mr McKay, the average percentage of ore is perhaps too little to enable it to be treated profitably and with the appliances at present on the field. In the latter respect, however, Jffiere is room for improvement, and in respect of a richer stone being present at deeper levels than yet attained to, there is also hope. While fully recognising the many disappointments that have damped the ardour of those engaged iu developing the resources of the field, Mr McKay yet believes ‘ there is the possibility of a great future for the Puhipuhi and adjoining district as a field for mining enterprise.’ On the subject of cinnabar, Mr McKay reports very definite indications of that ore, sufficient to justify the vigorous prosecuiion of search for the lode. The prospects of cinnabar have hithei to been found in three small creeks on the field, but there was great doubt as to the source of the ore. By careful examination of some samples that he brought to Wellington Mr . McKay has succeeded in referring the origin of the cinnabar to reefs of chert or quartz . which are present in the Young Colonial, Caledonia and Matilda claims, on _ the east side of the Puhipuhi tableland. This he looks upon as a very satisfactory and hopeful conclusion, as otherwise thera would have been little chance of finding a connected body of the ore of any bulk ; but it is highly probable, in the circumstances, that a lode will he found in the quartz rock to which the ore has now been referred. These Eame quartz reefs outcrop along the east side of the upper tableland, and are present on the very ground from which the cinnabar prospects have been obtained.

It will thus be seen that Mr McKay s report establishes the presence of silver and cinnabar in apparent large quantities at Puhipuhi, and it would seem only to require capital and mechanical appliances to develop these rich resources.