Buatr.—On the Building Materials of Otago. 139 
become one of our most popular building materials, when means of transit 
are provided. The deposit is in a very inaccessible situation, near Boat 
Harbour on the eastern side of the Peninsula, consequently the stone cannot 
be utilized at present. 
A hard shelly white limestone has recently been discovered at Kakaunui, 
and used in some structures in that locality ; it is of a uniform colour and 
consistency, nearly as hard as Sawyers Bay stone, but much easier worked; 
it should prove a valuable addition to our stock of building materials. A 
variety of this stone, from the same place, similar in colour and consistency, 
but full of large fossil shells, has been quarried for the foundations of the 
new road bridge; it is admirably adapted for work of that kind, but is 
altogether too rough for architectural purposes. These stones are both pro- 
curable in large blocks, and the supply is unlimited. 
A coarse grey limestone, of uniform colour and consistency, is found in 
large quantities on the Totara Station, near the Waireka Creek. With the 
exception of the foundations of the Waireka road bridge, it has hitherto 
been little used. Although more friable, the stone is about as hard as the 
Tasmanian sandstone ; it has a beautiful warm tint of an agreeable shade, 
and seems capable of being dressed in any way, from hammered to polished 
work. 
A valuable addition to the limestones has recently been worked at 
Waihola Gorge, in the shape of a beautiful grey stone, found on the western 
side of the main road, about 40 chains from the railway. The stone, when 
newly quarried, is harder than the Oamaru stone when dry, consequently 
it must be very much harder after being exposed to the air for some time. 
Tt can be dressed in any way, is capable of taking a fine polish, and, being 
easy of access, it cannot fail to become popular as a building material, 
whenever the Southern Railway is open. A solid face of stone, 20 feet 
thick, is already exposed in the quarry, consequently the appliances for 
handling and transporting blocks must alone determine their size. 
Both sides of Waihola Gorge contain large quantities of the limestone 
that is used for lime burning. This is a very hard compact stone, of a 
beautiful white or light cream colour, without a speck. So far as strength, 
appearance, and durability are concerned, it makes good building stone, 
but hitherto it has not been found in blocks of sufficient size. The whole 
rock is shattered into layers a few inches thick. 
The blue and grey limestones of Pleasant Valley come next in order. 
Several varieties of them exist in large quantities, and they are all remark- 
able for beauty and uniformity of colour, fineness of texture, and. the ease 
with which they can be dressed and carved. Unfortunately, however, they 
are too soft and friable for out-door work. This stone has been used in the 
