A PROSPEROUS ENTERPRISE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1009, 31 July 1883, Page 4

A PROSPEROUS ENTERPRISE.

.In.these.times of general depression it is gratifying to record an instance of remarkable, prosperity, especially when success - has been attained by energy and pluck. The development of our mineral resources will always be a matter! of vital interest to all who have the welfare of the colony at heart. Of late years the proprietors of our native coal mines have made most praiseworthy i efforts to supply the ever-increasing demand for that commercial and domestic necessity—a good fuel; but, except in : a very few instances, the product of those tfunes has ? hot been of sufficiently good quality to compete successfully with th.e imported article, and consequently the amount expended annually in payment fbrforeigncoal has assumed startling pro-

portions, a sum representing the interest on nearly four million sterling having , been spent on that item within the last

twelve months. Our readers will share

i our' satisfaction at learning that the ‘energetic operations lately undertaken by the enterprising proprietors of the Shag Point Colliery have succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations, as they have been the means of j developing an extensive field of coal, which is greatly superior to anything - previously obtained. The special advantages claimed for Shag Point coal are its freedom from soot or live ashes, gnd that it emits a strong, steady and lasting heat. The output has increased so largely of late that the Company have determined to push their coal in distant markets, and with that end in .View have decided on selling to the coal dealers; in Ashburton and the neighboring district at a price which will enable them to sell Shag Point coal at rates which cannot fail to attract a considerable share of the local trade. The following particulars connected with;the mine may be of interest to our readers;—The output of the mine is upward of 120 tons per day, two seams •bbing worked at depths of 150 and 250 feet respectively. Between 90 and 100 natnate constantly employed in com nection with the mine, and its attendant brick and drain pipe manufactory; engines aggregating 48 horse power the double hoisting cage, which is capable of lifting 1 ton per minute; se,pkrate .engines work the Tangye and . pulsometer pumps, which have a capacity of 80,000 gallons per day. The .. pahte i? situated near Shag Point Junction,, about: 45 miles north of Dunedin, on the main line to Christchurch.— , [Communicated. ]