424 Transactions. — .Geology. 



which contains some minute crystals being forwarded for identification by 

 Mr. Ormond. A specimen was also forwarded by Mr. J. C. Stovin, in 1878, 

 from the Auckland district, but these are the only two instances on record 

 of this mineral having been found in New Zealand. It is the most valuable 

 ore of manganese, on account of its containing a larger proportion of oxy- 

 gen than any other class of manganese ore, and on that account generating 

 more chlorine when treated with hydrochloric acid, in bleaching processes. 



Hausmannite, Mn.-\-^^. — H. 5-5. Colour brownish-black ; streak ches- 

 nut brown ; opaque. Fractm-e uneven. 



This mineral is mentioned as occurring in rolled pieces in the river 

 Selwyn, and coating joints in rocks. (See Dr. Haast's collection, Jurors' 

 Eeports N.Z. Ex. 1865, p. 258), but we have no sample in the Colonial 

 Museum. 



Braunite, .5^. — Streak and colour dark brownish-black ; fracture uneven ; 

 brittle. 



The first specimen of this mineral was forwarded by Mr. E. Toomath, 

 from the Malvern Hills, Canterbury; it is a massive variety. 



Another specimen was forwarded from the vicinity of Wellington, by 

 Mr. W. S. Hamilton, in 1873, and in 1879 a specimen was sent from the 

 Bay of Islands by Mr. J. G. Stovin. This last specimen was unfortu- 

 nately lost at the Melbourne Exhibition. 



Hydrous Ores,. 



Manganite, ^Xh+H. — H. 4. Colour dark steel-grey to iron-black, streak 

 reddish-brown, sometimes nearly black; opaque. Fracture uneven. This 

 class of ore is largely represented in New Zealand. It is mentioned as 

 occurring in veins in schists, and as rolled fragments in the alluvial drift 

 at Kawarau and Clutha (Jurors' Eeports N.Z. Exhibition, 1865, p. 265) 

 and in 1865 it was forwarded for identification from the Pioneer Claim, 

 Dunstan, Otago. 



Mr. Skey again mentions in 1871 the occurrence of this mineral at the 

 Tararu Creek, Thames, where it is found in small columnar crystals, lining 

 a cavity in an earthy-looking rock, and in the Yankee Doodle Claim at 

 the same place it is found plentifully in a rich leader (Geological Eeports, 

 1870-1, p. 86). It has also been found at the Bay of Islands and the 

 Island of Waiheke, in Auckland Harbour, in both of which localities it has 

 been worked for some time, as well as on the Island of Kawau for a little 

 while, and at Whangarei, Tory Channel, Waipu, AVaimarama and Wellington. 



This mineral is inferior in its character as regards the quantity of 

 available oxygen, but the small quantity of siliceous matter generally pre- 

 sent enhances its value somewhat for iron manufacture, in which it is used 

 for oxidising phosphorus, etc. 



