REPRESENTATION OF MINERALS AT THE COLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1612, 12 October 1885, Page 2

REPRESENTATION OF MINERALS AT THE COLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Thft London Mining Journal hat recently published a long letter from Mr T. Coruish, C. E., urging the importance of eiiMii^tg a gooi n>.

pres'u^tion of the mineral products >f the Colonies at the Colonial and I i |'i.n Ijviil.ition. He writes:— " Of .-!i>.ii-i-»> oxliibiMoua held in various parts of t!in world since 1851, there lias been but one Unit may have been termed a mineral exhibition, which was opened at Denver, Colorado, in 1882, and wis then a marked success. The promoters of the Denver Exhibition succeeded in a short space of time in collecting a magnificent display of specimens and bulk samples of ores and mineials from the chief mining states and territories of America. The sight of such a magnificent collection was one not only highly interesting but not easily forgotten. It contained a maivellons display of mineral wealth from the State of Colorado, and its neighbouring states and territories, as also specimens of other industries. Would it not be advisaUe that advantage »>e taken of the forthcoming Exhibition of 1886 for the Colonies and India that a specialty should l-e made of its mineral production, and the processes adopted for ol>tainiug the precious metals? It is true that other exhibitions have occasionally had a few specimens <f quartz in a glass case, or models of nuggets of gold, and pyramids to show the bulk quantity ot.ta-ned in any Colony, which, although interesting to a certain few as something to look at, does not convey an impression to the general pnblnof a lasting nature as to the value of our mineral resources in the Colonies, and the great importance of the gold mining industry as a means of creating new wealth, and the extension and development of trade, commerce, and industries in Great Britain. If the vast auriferous resources of the Australian and other Colonies were more generally known in Great Britain, and the profits derived and to V derived l.y th« legitimate develop, inent of those resources better understood, more intelligent inteiest would hp given to the industry and the means whereby a more plentiful supply of god can he obtained. To create a «rre*re.r iuterest in the resources of our Empire, a varied collection o? the mineral wealth from all sections of it, accompanied with maps, plans, and, general information, will be one of the most practical means to »»e adopted. I therefore suggest that an effort be made to get up a special display of the auriferous resources of the Colonies, with machinery and appliances in full work for crushing, cleaning, and retorting of gold from quartz and other matrices, as also for treating i silver .md other ores."