TAKAKA MARBLE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14544, 24 October 1917, Page 3

TAKAKA MARBLE.

GRFiAT INDUSTRY PROJECTED

"Those specimens can be praised as much as you like," said Mr I. G. Morgan (Director of the Geological Survey) after he tad seen the recent exhibition.1 of Takaka marble in the vesoiuule or Parliament Buildings. "Very tine. . . . lloally beautiful. . . j Very handsome," ran the comment oi'| the Government Architect (Mr Campbell). He specially praised the dark varieties. "I think this dark marble! of Takaka is better than any oi St. Anne's (Belgium) that I have seen," j he remarked. "If the supplies are equal to those specimens there should be a great market." lie indicated that a satisfactory export trade should be practicable. i 'tho admiration of tho Minister of Public Works is to be expressed in solid form, for he has stated that dark! marble of Takaka will be vised for interior decorative purposes in the new Parliament Buildings. The display was also warmly praised by the Prime Minister. l>lf sufficient quantity is available," said Mr Massey, "there is no doubt that this will be the beginning of a great industry—an industry of great importance to this country." He indicated that he appreciated the value of the export factor. The specimens—all showing an unusual depth of transluconce in the polished crystal surface; —ranged from creamy white with various subdued tints of green and pink, to dove grey, and on to black, with a dainty tracery of white to relieve the. sombreness. The

markings on some of the slabs suggested seascapes and skyscapes, and others presented the semblance of clusters of roses, after the manner of Doulton designs. It is very unusual to have such a wide rang© of coloration and markings in one locality. Therefore it. is believed that Takaka Valley may be proved unique in the whole world, from that viewpoint. Tho company which is working the Takaka quarries anticipates that it will be able to supply New Zealand's needs economically, and have an unlimited quantity for export. \ Tho reef containing tue dark varieties has been traced for miles, and the deposits are easily accessible. Koferring to the value of colour, Mr R. T. Baker (Director of the Technological Museum, Sydney) remarks m his book, "Building Stones of Australia":— "In the case of marbles, colour plays a very important part, and requires) care and attention, for the market value j of;'a stone is of ten influenced by. its j colour, without regard to its strength' and durability." It is claimed for the! Takaka marble that it has strength as well a.s beauty. Strangely, this wealth of dark marb'e was overlooked during long years. The adjacent mountainous masses of tighter marble have been the subject of various reports, at intervals, but the long dark reef —far more valuable than the white and grey; —was not particularly noticed. Surface, fragments of dark stone caused a little discussion occasionally, but the extent of the mother reef was not dis-j -covered till last, year, according to the! statements of those who exhibited tho specimens at Parliament Buildings.— "Dominion."