Manganese.

Manganese has been found in several places in the province, but as it is not a very valuable mineral, it would require to be within easy distance of a port. Regarding the manganese occurring at the mouth of the Taieri river, where it could easily be put on board ship, Professor Black says, in 1873:—"This manganese ore gives 90 per cent, oxide of manganese, it is therefore of excellent quality. It will be very useful when we shall have established in this colony the manufacture of chloride of lime and other substances that require for their production free chlorine. This will not be done however, until we can make our own sulphuric acid." Eight years have gone by since the worthy professor made these remarks, and within the last 3 months he had the pleasure of opening the first sulphuric acid works in the colony, viz.—the N.Z. Drug Company Works, Kaikorai. Manganese is also used in the manufacture of glass, but more extensively for bleaching powder. England requires 35,000 tons a year; of this 5,000 tons are mined in the home country, and for the rest foreign supplies are depended on.