POUT MOLYNEUX.

Clutha Leader, Issue 210, 19 July 1878, Page 6

POUT MOLYNEUX.

[from our own correspondent.] July 15, 1878. The Coal Prospecting Committee who commenced operations some six months ago under very auspicious circumstances appears at present to meet with pleiity of obstruction. A sum of L59 having been subscribed, the Committee sank a shaft to a depth of sixty-four feet, fifty-five of which has been through fire-clay, without cutting through the bed, at an expense of about L 56. Although the Managing Committee liad every prospect of success, expecting every day to get through the seam of clay and come upon coal, subscription a ceased, tho reason given being that the Committee had not sufficient information in mining matters to warrant a further expenditure by them. The Committee being satisfied there were good prospects, applied to the Hon. the Commissioner of Priblic Works that he would be pleased to send a qualified person to examitie and report upon the ground as to its coal-beai*ing properties, and should a favourable report be made would the Government give some little assistance towards its development. Tho answer received was that Professor TJlrich was expected in Wellington in a few days, and arrangements wonld be made with him to examine, &c. , but the Government had no funds at its disposal to assist in "working coal." A member of the Committee being in Dunedin called on Professor Ulrich about a fortnight ago. The Professor said he had not heard anything about the matter ; that he (the Professor) having been appointed by the University Council to lecture, and that the subject of geology being more in the department of Dr Hector, if he (the Professor) was asked to report he should consider himself justified in declining. At a meeting of Committee held here on tiie sth ultimo, a resolution was passed requesting the Secretary to write the Commissioner of Public Works to fulfil the promise held out in .a former letter, also to render pecuniary assistance for sinking for coal. The Port Molyneux reserve is vested in the members of the Road Beard hero, and the Committee considering that should coal be got the reserve would we enhanced tenfold in value, thought it only fair to ask the Board to supplement their endeavours out of the funds from grazing licenses ; but that body could not see their w T ay to advance a sixpence for such a useful and reproductive purpose. The works are therefore at a standstill, and not a bag of coal to be had at Port Molyneux. Would it not be as well, seeing that other plans have hitherto failed, for the settlers to lease a portion of the reserve, unite together, and form a company, with a capital of say LSOO, to try the ground fairly, and if successful, with the intended railway to Catlins passing perhaps through, or at least within half a mile of the reserve, would pspvo one of the most remunerative speculations in the district. j