Wellington Philosophical Socictij. 521 



crystallized mineral species, was not to bo confouncled with the mineral 

 belt of Hochstetter, often referred to in the Geological Reports, and 

 which was characterized by the abundance of magiiesian impregnations of 

 the rock, and the occurrence of the ores of copper and chrome. This 

 belt extended, but not continuously, from Nelson to the West Coast north 

 of Milford Sound, whereas the tin-bearing rocks were in relation to granite- 

 masses. He fully expected that the intersections of the system would 

 yield valuable minerals. Discovery might be hastened by accident ; and 

 most probably the development of this form of the mineral wealth of the 

 colony would be slow, and depend largely on the practical skill that is 

 employed in the search. To find a white quartz in a blue slate was an 

 easy matter, but to detect and trace mineral lodes required special 

 training. 



Mr. Marchant asked if the granite which occurred near the Owen and 

 Wangapeka was the same as the tin-bearing granite of Stewart Island. 



Sir James Hector, in reply, said that there were several distinct 

 forms of granite. He did not consider that the granite east of Mount 

 Owen was the same as that north of Reefton, where tin had been found : 

 it was probably of much later date. The Separation Point granite was 

 again different. 



4. " On the Occurrence of Fluor-spar at the Baton Gold- 

 lielcls," by J. Park, F.G.S. 



Abstr.\ct. 



In this paper the author describes a large deposit of fluor-spar recently 

 discovered at the Baton. IMr. A. Thomson, who discovered the mineral, 

 took it for scheelite ; but Mr. Skey proved it to be fluate of lime. The 

 main outcrop of this interesting mineral is situated on the north face of 

 Thomson's Hill, about half a mile from the saddle on the road from the 

 Baton to the Wangapeka. It occurs close to the point of contact be- 

 tween the crystalline limestone and granite, and measures from 30ft. to 

 35ft. in width, and from 50ft. to 60ft. in length, forming a rocky spur 

 running parallel with the outcrop of the limestone and associated mica- 

 schist and hornblende-gnei.ss. Following up a small stream falling into 

 McRae's Creek, a branch of the Wangapeka, the fluor-spar can be traced 

 by loose blocks on the surface a furtlier distance of 20 chains. It is also 

 abundant at the limestone caves near the source of this stream, being 

 there associated with masses of barytes, luematite, and quartz-crystals. 

 The main mass of the fluorite is granular, but it also occurs crystalline. 

 Its colour is generally white and pale-green. This is the first discovery 

 of this mineral in New Zealand ; but, apart from the scientific interest 

 attached to this, its occurrence has an important bearing upon the :pro- 

 bable mineral resources of this district. Fluor-spar is constantly asso- 

 ciated with lead and tin in all parts of Europe and America, and in the 

 north of England it forms the gangue of the lead-veins intersecting the 

 carboniferous strata. During the past two years a number of small veins 

 of argentiferous galena have been found at the Owen and Wangapeka 

 goldfields, and, judging from the presence of the fluorite, Mr. Park con- 

 siders there is a strong probability that the veins found at the Baton 

 would be of a workable and permanent character, and for this reason he 

 urges that the line of outcrop, the limestone caves, and, in fact, the whole 

 of Thomson's Hill, should be thoroughly prospected for ore-deposits. At 

 the same time, samples of all the minerals associated with the fluorite 

 should be tested for lead, silver, and tin, and other precious minerals 

 usually accompanying that mineral. Fluor-spar is a valuable flux for the 

 reduction of refractory ores, and has been used for tliis purpose from the 

 earliest times. It is also used for the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, 

 and as a glaze for pottery. 



