THE MOUNT RANGITOTO SILVER MINES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4888, 21 November 1876, Page 3

THE MOUNT RANGITOTO SILVER MINES.

Notwithstanding differences of opinion .mm; those who have, on very unequal tests, reported upon the value of the silver ore discovered in the vicinity, of the so-called Mount Bangitoto, in Westland, recent explorations of the country contiguous to the scene of the first discoveries have so convinced several experienced miners as to the extent and value of the lodes that a fresh impetus has been given to the already considerable interest taken in these discoveries, and the public are likely soon to have their attention more prominently directed to them than it has hitherto been. Some twenty mineral leases were at the outset applied for, but only a few of these have_ been taken up, and this after careful examination of the country by the original prospectors and by others immediately interested in these new leases. One of these is Hudson and party’s lease, or what is now proposed to be called the Virginia Consols Company’s claim. : It is situated to the west of the Mount Bangitoto Company’s mine, and is described as covering two distinct lodes of ore, one fifteen, inches in thickness, the other varying from three to five feet at the outcrop._ By the original nrospectors of the district, and by° Captain Leslie, an experienced manager of silver mines in California, the ground has been inspected, and the reports, of both are highly favorable, either as regards the particular ground in question, or the general prospects of the new field. The original prospectors—James Palmer and Edward Ken way —in a report which they hare made upon the mine, after describing the lodes to be of the dimensions stated above, say:—“The ore in this lease we consider equal in richness to, that in the Mount Bangitoto, Company’s mine. There is at hand plenty of timber for smelting purposes;, and we are of opinion that the mine when opened up will turn out an exceedingly valuable property.” Captain Leslie’s report on the same ground is published in the 'West Coast Times, of the 13th inst., and is to this effect: —“I discovered an extensive outcrop of two distinct lodes of ore, one 15in., the other 3ft. to sft. wide, and visible for several yards in its course. Tho best of the loose samples of ore in the larger outcrops will yield several hundred ounces to the ton. ihe lodes here, too, belong not to the irregular or faulty but to the true or regular class, i.e., the class of lodes that go down and provepermaneut. They occur in the kind of country in which lodes usually exist ; and when capital and science are brought to bear in the development of its resources, the lodes in the Bangitoto country will,, in my opinion, turn out equalin richness to anything discovered in California.” Captain Leslie, whose report is thus quoted, leaves Hokitika to-day for. Wellington, bringing with him the prospectors report and specimens of tho ore, for submission to those who have already taken shares on the faith of information received from what are believed to be thoroughly reliable sources. Other leases which have been taken up are being , adhered to by their owners since this fresh information has got abroad, but the intention is to float companies locally or in the other colonies. In .this prelected company a very large proportion of shares has been applied for in Wellington, and it is probable that here, when the company is thoroughly constituted, directors will be appointed, and arrangements will be made for the practical working of the mine, the preliminary cost of which is estimated at a small amount compared with the prospective results. Simultaneously with the intention to float this new company there comes the report that a fresh lode has been discovered in the prospectors claim at Mount Bangitoto, and there is every prospect at present of silver-mining being for some time to come a subject of considerable interest among the speculative and enterprising in communities mining and commercial.]