QUICKSILVER AND GOLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11222, 30 May 1922, Page 6

QUICKSILVER AND GOLD

STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR MINES. GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE. The Hon- G. J. Anderson (Ministei for Mines), who visited last week Ruhipulii, where there is a large deposit ol cinnabar, stated to a “Times” reporter yesterday that the production of quicksilver from this deposit is being carried on under difficulties owing to the low market values of the product. “If, ■ however,” said tlm Minister, “a cheaper method of extracting the quicksiivor can be discovered, there is any amount of the ore waiting to be worked. Incidentally, New Zealand is tho only part of the British Dominions in which quicksilver is being produced at pre- : sent, and' the only place in the world where it'is found in quartz formation A cinnabar lode has recently been discovered in Southland.” A WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENT. The Minister also visited Te Puke, where he found that a wonderful development had been made in the last i twelve months. The goldmining company at work there wa-s proposing to put down a shaft to test the lower levels. “The ore that is being mined,” the Minister stated, “is much like that from the upper levels of Waihi. 1 Tile company is making special provision for stacking the tailings, and there is no risk of “the lower ebuntry being destroyed, .as unfortunately occurred at Ohinemuri. I agreed to send a geologist as soon as possible to report upon ■ the gold-bearing country in the Te Puke district, and assist a number of prospectors who art proposing to look for fresh -reefs.” While in the north the Minister dealt with a number of Marine Department questions of vital importance to the district.