GOLD ON WEST COAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21265, 20 February 1931, Page 6

GOLD ON WEST COAST.

DISCLAIMER BY GEOLOGISTS. A MISLEADING REPORT. Professor Benson, of Otago University, one of the party of geologists who recently visited Preservation and Chalky Inlets, telegraphed yesterday:—“ My geological party, including Professor Koble (Melbourne), disclaims to-day’s published and highly misleading report of gold discoveries at Preservation Inlet.” In the report referred to, Professor Keble, according to a Press Association telegram from Invercargill, stated that: “ From his researches he had come to the conclusion that there was untold wealth in auriferous metals in the sounds.” . PROFESSOR SPEIGHT’S VIEWS. “ DISTRICT SHOULD BE EXAMINED.” (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. •Commenting to-day on the statement credited to Professor Keble, of Melbourne, that there was untold wealth in the auriferous metals in the West Coast Sounds district, and also that there was great promise of rich results at Preservation Inlet, Professor R. Speight, professor of geology at Canterbury College, said: “The circumstances do point to the fact that Preservation Inlet and Chalky Inlet in the West Coast Sounds form a district in New Zealand which should be examined for the possibilities of metalliferous deposits there.” He added that the district was one of the parts of New Zealand of which little was known. In those parts were the oldest sedimentary rocks of the Dominion. Many of the graptolites were the same as or related to those of Victoria, and with Professor Keble, a graptolite expert from Victoria, the party hoped to establish the correlation of the rocks of New Zealand and Victoria. l*he party had evidently made general geological observations as well. The gold was probably located in the granite rocks, and probably the conditions were also responsible for the metalliferous deposits. Gold and copper, said Professor Speight, had been obtained previously from Preservation Inlet, both in reef and alluvial form. The circumstances pointed to the fact that the district should be examined, though this would be a big job.