GREENSTONE FIND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26614, 10 November 1947, Page 6

GREENSTONE FIND

LAKE MANAPOURI AREA POSSIBILITY OF EXPORT Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. The reported discovery of large greenstone deposits in the Lake Manapouri area has led to optimism in official quarters at the prospect of the sale of the greenstone to the United States and other overseas markets. Mineralogists of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have now received samples from Mr Raymond Murrell of the deposits he has found in the Manapouri district.' There are two types of greenstone—bowenite (a form of serpentine) and the rarer and more valuable nephrite or jade. Mineralogists do not discount the possibility of the new find being nephrite, although previous discoveries in the area have been of bowenite. It was from the bowenite deposit at Anita Bay, near the present finds at various points about Milford Sound and Poison Bay, that a Dunedin company at one time flooded the market to such an extent that the demand fell away. Now the market is not only a local one, as there is an unsatisfied demand overseas, including the United States.

Some opposition is expected to a quarrying scheme, as the deposits are in a scenic resort area.. Some officials are opposed to the granting of a licence for permission to quarry. This opposition is counterbalanced by the enthusiasm in other official quarters.