112 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Mar. 
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 
Talc, Manganese-ore, Clay and Fullers’ Earth, and Oil- 
shale in New Zealand. 
Bv P. G. Morgan, Director, New Zealand Geological Survey. 
TALC. 
The last annual report of the Geological Survey gave general infor¬ 
mation concerning the New Zealand localities in which talc (also called 
“ soapstone,” “ steatite,” “ French chalk,” or “ potstone ”) occurs. It may 
perhaps be as well to add that in the Collingwood district talc occurs—- 
(1) on the Parapara River, near the mouth of Dam Creek, and also higher 
up-stream near Richmond Flat; (2) on the ridge overlooking the Takaka 
Sluicing Company’s claim (Waikoromumu River) ; and (3) at other locali¬ 
ties concerning which no information is available. 
The talc rock on the Parapara River near Richmond Flat and near the 
mouth of Dam Creek is distinctly schistose, light grey in colour, and (accord¬ 
ing to N.Z. Geol. Surv. Bull. No. 3) too scaly to be of commercial value, 
except possibly as a lubricant when pulverized. The correctness of the 
latter statement may perhaps be questioned. The localities are fairly 
accessible, and therefore deserve further examination. 
The talc on the ridge above the Takaka Sluicing Company’s claim occurs 
for about 20 chains in the form of isolated outcrops, forming part of a strip 
of ultra-basic rocks surrounded by granite or allied rock. It is greyish in 
colour, more compact and purer than the talc rock of the Parapara River. 
The locality may be defined as being on the north side of Campbell Creek, 
four miles west-south-west of Waitapu Wharf. The various localities men¬ 
tioned are shown on the maps accompanying N.Z. Geol. Surv. Bull. No. 3, 
1907, and descriptions of the talc occurrences appear on page 67. 
There are numerous occurrences of talc rock in North Westland, most 
of which are described in Bulletins Nos. 1 and 6. The most northerly 
of these is in the mountainous country east of Lake Poerua, about a mile 
up a small stream known locally as Soapstone Creek. This enters the 
Taramakau near the railway-bridge at Jackson. The locality was visited 
by the writer about September, 1906. The main talc band is about 20 ft. 
wide, and appears to be of good quality. It strikes to the north-east (on 
a bearing of 42°) and dips at about 60° to the north-west. A few yards 
up-stream is another band which contains much actinolite. No great diffi¬ 
culty would be experienced in making a road down the valley of Soapstone 
Creek, but it is doubtful if the talc is sufficiently valuable, even at the 
present time, to warrant the cost of construction. 
The talc, or soapstone, of Taipo Gorge is described in N.Z. Geol. Surv. 
Bull. No. 1, 1906, pp. 75-76. The band has a maximum width of 50 ft., 
strikes 20° east of north, and dips at 85° to the north of west. It is not 
very pure. 
Several lenses of talc occur on the Griffin Range, in the headwaters of 
Griffin Creek. Most of these are described in Bulletin No. 1, pp. 74-75, 
and two analyses are also given. A talc lens not mentioned in the bulletin 
occurs between the New Zealand Serpentine Company’s quarry (see Special 
Report No. 15) and the summit of Mount Griffin. The talc contains nume- 
