Dr Hamish Campbell studying the mineral collection of late Ross geologist Hermann Osmers in Ross Goldfields Heritage and Information Centre. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Historic minerals collected by a pioneering Ross geologist could reveal new information on the town’s geological make-up. A collection of rare rocks passed on to the Ross Goldfields Heritage and Information Centre from the family of Hermann Osmers, who explored and helped map the West Coast with pioneer surveyor and explorer Charlie Douglas, created scientific intrigue last week during a visit by Wellington-based geologist Dr Hamish Campbell. As part of a wide-ranging tour of West Coast heritage sites, Dr Campbell headed to Ross to inspect the mineral collection, which includes coal, quartz and limestone chipped away during Mr Osmers’ and Mr Douglas’ crossings of the Southern Alps. Mr Osmers’ great-grandson Ted Brennan last year gifted the heritage centre the rare rock collection as well as a geologist kit used by Mr Osmers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mr Brennan previously said the rocks were originally all individually named and labelled. However, over time the labels had fallen off. Dr Campbell said the collection was exceptional in regards to goldmining-related quartz and mineral samples, and a couple of specific specimens had immediately caught his eye. One item was taken away for specialised analysis and official identification, potentially adding a new chapter to Ross’ known geological make-up. — Janna Sherman
