204 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [May 
bearing argillite of the Golden Ridge in their carbonaceous argillites, but 
presumably the carbon in all cases is graphitic. Probably, however, it 
should be classed as “ amorphous ” rather than as “ flake ” graphite. The 
terms “amorphous” and “flake” are here used in the commercial sense. 
Por definitions see a later page, under the heading “ General Remarks.” 
A graphitic phyllite from Silverstream contained 4-63 per cent, of 
carbon (Bull. No. 3, p. 44). Two samples of 44 carbon slate ” from Bedstead 
Gully, Collingwood district, collected by Sir James Hector about 1878, 
were found by Skey to contain 2*04 and 2-78 per cent, of carbon. Lab. 
No. 14, 1879, pp. 28, 49. 
The darker-coloured marbles of the Pikikiruna Range, &c., probably 
owe their colour to disseminated graphite, which has been found to be 
present in some samples. 
A consideration of the available data makes it appear that the chances 
of finding workable graphite deposits in north-west Nelson are good 
Research work in order to determine the nature of the graphitic material 
in the rocks of the region is necessary. If it can be classed as “ flake 
graphite the chances of finding a deposit sufficiently valuable to pay 
for concentration are necessarily greater than if the graphite is of the 
44 amorphous ” variety, as is the case with the Pakawau deposit. 
26. Avondale, Wairau Valley. —In Lab. No. 25, 1891, p. 61, Skey writes, 
44 No. 5530 is a graphite of great purity purported to have been found at 
Avondale, Marlborough, and forwarded here by Mr. C. Teschemaker for 
indentification. Analysis : Carbon, 89-49 per cent. ; water and loss on 
ignition, 5-65 per cent. ; earthy matters, 4-86 per cent.” Skey quotes from 
a letter sent by Sir James Hector to the contributor, but apparently 
nothing came of the correspondence. The presence of graphite in the 
Avondale district seems to have been doubted by Skey, but the fact that 
in later years several samples of graphite or graphitic material were 
forwarded by Mr. Teschemaker to the Colonial Laboratory confirms its 
existence. These samples are mentioned in the lists contained in Lab. 
Nos. 27, 28, and 35, but no analyses are given. (See list of references at 
end of this report.) 
27. Picton District. —Some of the ancient rocks in the Picton district 
contain graphite. About 1882 Mr. John Renfrew forwarded a sample 
of graphitic slate to the Colonial Laboratory (Lab. No. 18, 1883, p. 65, 
No. 3339/2). In 1900 the Hon. Mr. Reeves forwarded a black soft 
shale from Picton, which contained—Water, 18-24 per cent. ; graphite, 
2-64 per cent. ; clay and sand, 79-12 per cent. Lab. No. 34, 1901, p. 11, 
No. 8815. 
28. Wellington District.- —In many places the argillites and greywackes 
of the Wellington District contain carbonaceous material, but it is doubtful 
if true graphite is present in more than traces. J. C. Crawford, as quoted 
by Cox, states, 44 Thin seams of an impure graphite are found at a great 
variety of places—on the Pitone (Petone) Road, near Wellington ; at the 
Mungaroa Hill; at various points on the Rimutaka Mountains ; in the 
mountain part of the valleys of the Waiohine, the Waingawa, and the 
Ruamahanga ; in the Waikanae, the Akatarewa, and particularly in the 
upper part of the Otaki valleys.” (Trans., vol. 1, 2nd ed., 1875, p. 309 ; 
and Cox, p. 364.) 
Skey states that a graphitic mineral occurs at a point about fourteen 
miles from Wellington. It has the following composition : Carbon, 66-71 
per cent. ; water, 8’91 per cent.; siliceous matters, 24-38 per cent. 
Lab. No. 13, 1878, pp. 23, 35, No. 1991. Contributed by Mr. Beere. 
