Fahquhahson. — The Phitinum GrareU of Ovepulil. 



479 



<listrict in which scrpcMitines and highly basic rocks are not uncommon. 

 These serpentines have been connected by Hutton with the serpentines 

 in Nelson, iwid indirectly with those of Milford Sound. It will be noted 

 that platinum has been found in the serpentine district of Nelson, and it 

 has been found actually in the peridotitc rock north of Milford Sound. It 

 is therefore quite conceivable that it may originate from this serpentine 

 or diorite rock near Manapouri. for results go to prove that the metal is 

 most often found in districts which are characterized by the presence of 

 these rocks. In New Zealand alone we have already seen that there are 

 three distinct occurrences, all associated with either a serpentine or a peri- 

 dotite which alters into a serpentine. It was for this reason that attention 

 was called to the occurrence in the Takaka Valley, in Nelson. 



In the second place, the theory presupposes the existence of a more 

 ■or less powerful furrent in Foveaux Strait, which would aid in the dis- 

 persion of the grMvel along the shores. A reference to the accompanying 



Fk;. !t. 



■sketch, which has been directly copied from the Admiralty chart, aSords 

 ample evidence of the existence of such a current. From the sketch it 

 will be seen that a current sets in from west to east, and flows with an 

 average speed of from a half to two knots per hour. This would be suffi- 

 cient to produce the easterly distribution of the pebbles observed on the 

 beaches from the Waiau to Orepuki. The sketch is on a reduced scale, 

 and somidings have been introduced, which show the gradual slope con- 

 tinuing well into the sea. 



Further, the shape of the coast-line in the upper part is exactly what 

 M'ould be produced by gravel-deposition — a long low fiat pebbly plain 

 densely covered with bush. In its lower part it suggests to some extent 

 .the former existence, or even the present existence, of great denundation 



