46 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Jan 
Bell, Marshall, and Clarke, in N.Z. Geol. Surv. Bull. No. 12, have care¬ 
fully mapped the principal chromite occurrences in Maungatapu and Waimea 
Survey Districts (Dun Mountain, Jackson Saddle, Miner Stream, Chromite 
Creek, Serpentine Valley, &c.). They do not state what quantity of ore 
could be mined, but from the statement that the deposits are of small size, 
and from the somewhat cursory descriptions given, the impression is gathered 
that they held a poor opinion concerning the economic value of the chrome 
deposits. 
Mr. W. F. Worley, of Nelson, states that there are two or three deposits 
in the Aniseed Valley which may be worth developing. There are also 
comparatively large low-grade deposits, which could be crushed and con¬ 
centrated provided a sufficiently high price were obtainable. Mr. Worley 
also suggests that some of the alluvial deposits could be treated for the 
recovery of chrome-iron-ore sand (letter of 9th May, 1918). 
According to Park (1887 report, pages 129, 136-37), chromite occurs 
in considerable quantity on the Cascade River or inland side of Bed 
Mountain, north-west Otago. The locality is so remote that at the present 
time there is little or no chance of its mineral resources being developed. 
Price of Chrome-iron Ore. 
During the years 1858-61 the chrome-ore shipped from New Zealand 
was valued on the average at nearly £12 per ton. During the next few 
years the average value was about £7 per ton. The ore shipped in 1900 
and 1902 was valued at £3 to £4 per ton. According to Hector (1882 
report, p. 2), chrome-ore, before the discovery of aniline d}ms (by Perkin in 
1856), was worth £10 10s. per ton. He expected that the use of chromates 
in tanning (manufacture of chrome leather) would cause the price to rise, 
but apparently this did not happen to any marked extent. During the 
past twenty-five or thirty years the manufacture of chrome steel has 
absorbed a moderate amount of chromium, but this has not had any 
noticeable effect in increasing the price of the ore, which in 1893 was £5 
per long ton landed at New York, and probably less at European ports. 
In 1901 American prices were between £3 and £4 per ton, and in 1911 
between £2 and £3 per ton. War conditions have caused a great increase in 
the British and American prices during the past two or three years, 
but the increase is largely apparent and due to the increased cost of 
freight. The pre-war London price for ore containing 50 per cent, of 
chromium sesquioxide (Cr 2 0 3 ) was £2 17s. 6d. to £2 18s.' 6d. per ton. 
The present c.i.f. prices are from £11 to £16 per ton (5s. or more per unit 
ofCr 2 0 3 ).* 
For the production of tanning-materials (bichromate of potash or soda), 
dyes, paints, and pottery, high-grade chromite containing 55 per cent, of 
chromium sesquioxide is required. In the manufacture of ferro-chrome 
50-per-cent, ore with silica under 4 per cent, is required. For chrome 
bricks and steel-furnace linings the chromium sesquioxide need not exceed 
40 per cent., but the silica content ought not materially to exceed 2 per 
cent. 
Ore reaching the requirements specified above may be consigned to 
Chalas and Sons, Finsbury Pavement House, London E.C. 
Ore containing from 45 to 48 per cent, of chromium sesquioxide in 
September, 1917, was worth 4s. to 5s. per unit of Cr 2 0 3 . Since then the 
* Written in 1918. See footnote on p. 43. 
