OUR MINERAL RESOURSES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5970, 17 August 1912, Page 3

OUR MINERAL RESOURSES.

STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO PROSPECT FOB CQAIIiAND CliAiY. A meeting, called at the instance of Mr Henry Hart, was held in the Town Clerk's office, Lawrence, on Tuesday evening, to consider ii anything could be done in the way of developing certain 0 l the mineral resources of the district. It had occurred to Mr Hurt that something could be done to test the value oi the extensive lignito deposits that exist not only in the neighbourhood o! Lawrence but also at Beaumont and thence onward through Waitahuna to the ocean near Kaitangata, and not only the lignite deposits .but also clay deposits that are said to have a high commercial value. .About a dozen representative citizens respc-nded to MiHart's invitation und Mr James Robertson (Mayor) was requested to preside Mr Hart, in explaining the reasons that weighed with him in calling the meeting, said he did not pretend oi his own knowledge to know very much about the Ignite deposit that existed in the neighbourhood oi the old racecourse, but he learnt from one of tho parties (who had worked the deposit that there were two seams several feet in thickness and of lai.u good quality. One of those seams had 'been tested at a depth oi 100ft 1 ; it was said to be superior to the upper seam, and if properly opened out might prove to be of great value for household and steaming purposes. Then there was an extensive deposit of pipe-clay at the old coalpit which was said to be of line qua lit v . a nd of considerable commercial value. These things could be put to tin. ! t with the aid of boring rod" . ! the incidental expenditure wi.-'.i not be very heavy. There were <>'!)■:• deposits., of lignite at l'> annum!. nivalis Flat. Forsyth, and V>n'f lu.na that should be tested and i vas for the meeting to say what wio best to b.. done. A guneral conversational discussion followed, in which the Mnvor and Messrs Edie. ■Simpson, Winmill, \V. Leslie, J. B. McKinlay, J. B. Thompson, and Pilling took port, the outcome being that it was decided to raise from £l5O to £2OO by public subscriptions and to seek a 'Government subsidy thereon with a view to testing by boring the value of tinlignite and clay deposits in and around Lawrence. A committee was <et up to collect data bearing upon the lignite and clay deposits of the neighbourhood and submit same to a public Meeting to be called later on, and Messrs 11. Hart and J. R. McKinlay were also appointed to collect subscriptions towards the object, in view. Sixty pounds were promised in the room, and since then, wc understand, another £6O \ias been promised by a number of citizens. A systematic canvas will be instituted in the , course of a few (lays, and as soon as practicable a public meeting will bo held to decide upon the future course of action. Before the meeting broke up, a very cordial vote of thanks (on (he motion of Mr 11. "Winmill) was accorded Mr H. Hart for bringing those present together to discuss matters of so much moment to the district ft t this juncture.