Geological and other Reports
[postscript]
In connexion with the proposed New Zealand Exhibition, to be held at Dunedio next year, I would suggest that blocks of sufficient size of the following named rocks should be collected and prepared for transmission to it, with the view of obtaining an opinion as to their qualities as building or ornamental stones, &c., viz.:—
Stone. | Locality. | Purpose. |
1. Limestone | White Rock, Pahaoa, &c. East Coast | Lime, Building Stone, Cement. |
2. Sandstones | Do. Do. | Building Stone |
3. Sandstone | Front Range Waikanae | Do. Do. |
4. Hard Crystalline Sandstones | Harbour District, Makara, &c | Do. Do. |
5. Eruptive. | Muka Muka, Makara, &c. | Do. Do. |
6. Jaspers and Jasperoid rocks | Muka Muka, Rimutaka Road, &c. | Ornamental (try to polish) |
7. Tertiary Sandstones and Calcareous Sandstones | Upper Whanganui River | Building Stones |
8. Veins of Carbonate of Lime Septaria, Strata of Shells and Sand | East Coast, Wairarapa, Whanganui River | Lime and Cement |
N.B.—Pumice is said to be an excellent ingredient in making cement, and there is an inexhaustible quantity of it in the Whanganui river.
It might be worth while to have searched for, and polishe, some of the pebbles of the East Coast.
Were not the traps and lavas of the volcanic chain situated in a district so difficult of access, I should recommend that specimens of them should also be procured.
It might also be possible to obtain good samples of the brown coals of the Whanganui and its tributaries.