PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12015, 16 August 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

From Our Own Correspondent, ■ (By Telegraph). Wellington, A ugust 20. THE PARAPARA. A publication of 104 pages entitled "The Geology of the Parapara Subdivision, Karamea — Nelson" was presented to Parliament to-day. It is of particular interest to the Nelson district, and of more than ordinary interest to the Oolony. as a whole. At the outset, Dr. Bell, the director of the Geological survey; states,, that "Economic interest in the Karamea division centres around the deposit of iron ore situated on the shores of Parapara Inlet. This great mineral feature is by no means the only one of utilitarian value in the area, and others may be enumerated as follows :^(1) The coal seams, for the most part of unknown lateral extent, exposed in the extensive beds of . older tertiary strata ; (2) the metalliferous veins occurring in several parts of the disrict. Among these may be mentioned quartz reefs in the Golden Ridge and Golden Blocks mine, near WestWanganui Inlet, and the formerly very valuable Johnston's United reef, near the Slate river; (3) the alluvial goldfields situated principally in the valley of the Aorere river and formerly of much greater, importance that at present. The amount of land available in the Parapara subdivision for agricultural purposes is apparently very limited. The open Alpine country on the top of the mountain ridge 3 has been found well suited for sheep of the hardier breeds, both the wool and the mutton from these high altitudes are superior to the lowland products. It seems hardly likely, that for many years to come it wiil be found profitable to clear for grazing purposes the rugged thickly - wooded slopes intervening between the Alpine country and the lowlands, even where the disintegration of the underlying strata yields a fertile soil* while the barren granite areas will probably always remain unutilised. On the Pikikirana Range, however, several thousand acres of limestone land havo been bleared, and forni excellent sheep' country", A great Variety of mining operations has been carried out in the Parapara subdivision from time to time. Alluvial goldmining has long been conducted, whilst auriferous veins have been successfully worked in several instances, and there have been desultory attempts to mine both coal and iron. A great deal of space is devoted recounting what has been done in the district in the way of goldmining, and the history of the endeavor to establish iron ore works is also set out in detail. The bulk of the information contained in the bulletin is of a highly technical character, Speaking of the distribution of the ore, tbe Government Geologist, Dr. Bell, says the Parapara iron ore deposits are at once of vast economic value, -and of great scientific interest. All of the large deposits are intimately associated with the ancient complex crystalline carbonates of the Aorere series.' By far the most important of the^iron ore bodies occur on the complex carbonate belt stretching irregularly southward from Parapara Inlet along the Onakaka Ridge to and beyond the southern limits of the subdivision. Along this belt there are four distinct deposits. The largest and most northerly deposit is that occurring in the valley of Wash bourn Creek, between Parapara Inlet and the horth and Tukuruae stream on the south, in the area which the authors have called Washbourn Block. The second deposit is that situated between the Tukuruae stream on the north and the Onakaka on the south, in the area known as Tukuruae Block. The third deposit appears on the Onakaka Ridge between the Onakaka river and the Pariwhakaho stream in the area designated the Onakaka Block ; while the fourth, and much smallest deposit of the four, appears on the rugged country south of the Pariwhakaho, Washbourn, Tukuruae and Onakaka Blocks. These were specially demarcated for the purpose of studying in detail the iron deposits contained in each. The two most northerly represent areas of one mile and a half square, while the Onakaka Block is two miles from north to south, and one mile and a half from east to west. In addition to the four iron ore deposits just mentioned there are several small and unimportant deposits occurring in the old Glengyle Sluicing claim, in Fletcher Creek, on the track from Bainham to the Castles, and elsewhere. The most important statement is, however, contained in the following general paragraph, which should instil hope in the hearts of those who have been battliog with fortune for years: — "It seems remarkable that deposits of iron ore of such immensity, of such high average quality, and of such easy accessibility should have remained so long un worked. The day surely cannot be far distant when these enormous deposits.will be mined on a scale commensurate with their great proportions. Exposed as they are are on the surface, they possess every facility for cheap and easy winning, while their close proximity to tbe sea coast at once affords every oportunity for their exportation in the crude state, or as pig-iron. The actual winning of ore could be undertaken with littlo difficulty or expense by simply quarrying on the open cut system. In the Mesabi section of the Lake Superior region, in the U.S.A., where somewhat simillar conditions prevail, the actual cost of mining is estimated at 80 cents, or 3s 4d per ton. In New Zealand tbe average cost should not greatly exceed this amount, and mining" operations might be conducted even mors economically. It will probably be found expedient to convert the ore into pig-iron before exportation. There are several suitable spots for the location of blast furnaces, which would command the

~- —^ ore from the Onakaka and Tukuruae Blocks, and that ' from Washbourn Block. One of the best positions for locating a plant to deal with^tbe Onakaka and Tukuruas ore is on the spacious flat near the mouth of the Onakaka stream, while* an equally desirable Elite for the erection of reduction worka for dre drawn from the Waahbottrn Blpctt wduld be obtained near the Shores oi Parapara Inlet. The most suitable spot for constructing a wharf for shipping the ore, or its products, from Washbourn's Block, and for landing the materials reouisite for mining and metallurgical operations, lies a little to the north of TukuruaPoint. Though, there is but tittle shelter here,- no storm is sufficiently strong to affedfc large vessels, owing to the geperal tranquility of Goldeo Bay, which is sheltered by the Cape Farowell •Spit. O-ving to the gradually sHelviug nature of the coast line, ; the length of the jetty required to accommodate large vessels would be a bout 67 chains. This length would give a depth of 30ft of water at the lowest state of thejide. The special map facing this^page shows the exact position of the .proposed wharf* The iron ore is oi bigh grade, aiid well suited ffor the maunfacture of iron and steel. Apart altogether from this report, your correspondent learns that the Public Trustee, who is adriiinigtef-' ing the estate of tho late Sir Alfred Cadman, is expecting a cable message from London announcing that £500,000 has been raised at Home to work tho iron ore deposits at Parapara. a sum of £100.000 for the same purpose has been underwritten in the Colony. Tho Public Trustee is satisfied that tbe whole of tbe re« quisite capital will be obtained* ■-■■■ — i