120 Transactions. 



and the fact that tungsten is a characteristic element in 

 ore - deposits associated with granitic rocks leads to the in- 

 ference that the magmas beneath were largely granitic in 

 character. 



(6.) The Scheelite-mining Industry. 

 Rise and Progress. 



The history of scheelite-mining in Otago dates from about 

 1888, when the first mine was opened up on the Glenorchy 

 reef by the Lake Wakatipu Scheelite Company, and an expensive 

 ore-dressing plant was installed. Some 27 tons of dressed ore 

 was shipped to Hamburg, but the price was low — £20 to £29 

 per ton ; and after two years the demand ceased, and the com- 

 pany liquidated, after an outlay of £3,000. 



About two years ago the mine was taken over by a new 

 company, and a crushing and dressing plant installed. With a 

 good market and improved methods of concentration, this com- 

 pany is making rapid strides. 



On the Macrae's field scheelite was first exploited in 1893, 

 by Messrs. A. B. Kitchener and William Donaldson, who sent 

 6^ tons of 40-per-cent. ore from the Golden Point Mine to London. 

 The returns did not leave much profit, but the work was per- 

 severed with, and a later shipment realised £58 per ton. The 

 market was subsequently transferred to Hamburg, and the 

 demand and price steadily increased. Improved plant was 

 installed, and considerable prospecting for scheelite was carried 

 on, in consequence of the success attending Messrs. Donaldson's 

 efforts. Up to date the Golden Point Mine has produced 

 scheelite to the value of £24,000, the price having risen pro- 

 gressively in the last fifteen years from £20 to £160 per ton. 

 During this period 400 tons of ore has been shipped from 

 Macrae's, while the Glenorchy Mine during the last eighteen 

 months has dressed 60 tons. 



Present Mining Methods. 



There are at present three working mines — Messrs. Keid 

 and Lee's Glenorchy Mine, and Messrs. W. and G. Donaldson's 

 two mines at Macrae's. The method in vogue of concentrating 

 the ore is to pass the pulp from the battery where it is crushed 

 over shaking-tables or vanners, where it is dressed to an average 

 value of 65 per cent, of tungstic acid (WO :1 ), the impurities 

 being quartz and pyrites. The ore thus concentrated is dried, 

 bagged, and shipped. 



For crushing the ore there are five stamps in operation at 

 Glenorchy, ten at Golden Point, and a 5 ft. Huntington mill at 



