346 Transactions. — Geology. 



varieties of silver ore, totally different in appearance from each 

 other ; that the silver may be in one or several of these forms 

 in the same lode ; that it may occur as a valuable constituent 

 of the ore of any other mineral; and that, by the action of 

 air or water, all or any of these may alter their chemical 

 nature and appearance altogether, we shall not be surprised 

 that valuable silver deposits are often overlooked and neglected. 



The specimen of richmondite you have just seen shows 

 how silver may be combined with other minerals. It is a very 

 rich specimen of silver ore, yet the proportion of silver is only 

 2*39, to 97*61 of other minerals; but, under favourable circum- 

 stances, a tenth, or less, of this percentage would make a 

 valuable silver mine. 



I will now show you some silver buttons that I obtained 

 some years ago from 200 grains of the richmondite. They 

 represent from 260 ozs. to 770 ozs. to the ton of ore. 



I will next show you some silver ore that does not belong 

 to New Zealand, but comes from the "Sunny Corner," New 

 South Wales, from a mine that produced 4£ tons of refined 

 silver in three months. If you compare it with this second 

 specimen you will see that there is not much in its appearance 

 to show that it is a valuable silver ore, while the other is only 

 a worthless piece of ironstone; yet analysis shows this to be 

 the case. 



Scattered all over our country is material similar in ap- 

 pearance to those specimens you have just seen ; and the great 

 question we want to solve is : Are they all worthless ? or do 

 some of them, like the "Sunny Corner," contain valuable 

 metals, in an obscure form, hidden within them? The only 

 way to ascertain this is to have them analysed, and this should 

 be done free — that is, at the country's expense — as all the 

 people of New Zealand will reap the benefit of any discovery 

 that is made. Many do not take into consideration how much 

 our interests as a community are bound together, and think 

 that having assays made free would be giving a direct benefit 

 to miners only. This is a short-sighted view to take ! 

 The miner or explorer, by expense, labour, and hardship in 

 searching for and carrying specimens over miles of weary 

 hill and dale, quite earns any extra benefit he may get 

 through having assays made free. As showing the difficulties 

 often attending the collection of specimens, I will mention 

 a case which occurred to a friend and myself five or six 

 years ago. We had a long trip over some of the roughest 

 mountains between Nelson and the West Coast, and had collected 

 specimens of rocks, minerals, etc., on our way. After carrying 

 these twelve hours a day for nearly three weeks, we had to throw 

 them away to lighten our loads, and push on for food, as we had 

 nothing whatever to eat, and had had but very little for the 



