THE KUAOTUNU GOLDFIELD.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7560, 21 June 1893, Page 3

THE KUAOTUNU GOLDFIELD.

SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION. ' Auckland, June 20. At tho monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute last night, Mr Cheesoman read a paper on tho geolosy of the Kuaotunu goldfield, written by Mr James Park, director of the Thames School of Mines. The paper was illustrated by aid of plans. Tho writer said that tho geological foa- ; tares of tho field differ but littlo from those, of .tho other goldfiolds scattered throughout the peninsula. Excluding the recent deposits tho rocks are found to belong to two distinct geological formations, both of which are goldbearing, although differing greatly in age and ~ physical characteristics. Tho youngor .formation consists of highly decomposed audeaitio tuffs, whioh oxtend northward from Mercury Bay till within a rnilo of the' sea at Kpaotunu roadstead. In connection with the economic importance of tho Kuaotnnu tuffs, the writer stated that thoy aro tho , yoμngest gold-bearing rocks in tho Southern Hemisphere being younger than.the gold-bearing rocks of Otago, Reofton ? and tho different goldfiolds of Australia, In composition and origin thoy stand unique, and their homologuos are found only in two countries in tho Hemisphere, naraoly, Transylvannia, in Hungary, and the Pacfic Statoaof America. Tho writer pointed out that thoro aro two distinct reef systems at Kuaotunu—one belonging to the tuff formation, and tho other to the palaeozcie formation. The major lodo of -~, tho field is the Try Fluko reef found in .tho former. It possessos woll-defined ,tfeUs.4nd varies in width from 2ft to ■:r "•20ffc,-tfhilo its average width is probably about 6ft. Its course is N.N.E,— . S.S.W,andits dip easterly at angles '• soldom under 60dog, raoro often over 65dog. Ithas often been traced through tho leases of tho Kapai, Try Fluko, • Carbine, Rol Meroury, Great Mercury, and Irono. Mr Park gave it as his opinion that in tho caso of Kuaotunu it isprudont to thoroughly prospect tho reefs before undertaking the erection of • batteries and other expensive works Tho Try Fluko reef had proved tko ohief 1 • gold producer on the field, and so far as ' it could bo judged from existing condi- . tions it seemed likoly to hold its position for a number of/years to come, but to effect this low levols will havo to be driven in most of tho mines on its course With tho advent a cheaper motivo powor many reefs that at present would not pay to dovolop conld be worked with profitablerosults,andthero would then s exist a'fresh incentive to undertako systematic prospecting in now direo- .-. tions. A hoarty'voto of thanks was accorded Mr Park by tho raombors of tho Institute for Ms paper,