A TARANAKI COALFIELD

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 12

A TARANAKI COALFIELD

EXAMINATION OF OHL'KA AP.EA

A report on the Tangarakau coalfield, in North Taranaki, appears in the annual report of the Geological Survey. 'A considerable area, extending from Xahora northward through the Tangarakau Gorge to north of Ohura. in Pouatu, Hmio. Waro, and Ohura survey districts, has been geologically and topographically surveyed,” it states. ‘Part of this area, notwithstanding its comparatively low altitude, is very rugged, and was unpleasant and difficult to survey. Dense forest added greatly to the difficulty of the work. Several quite large streams os well as many small ones, hitherto not on the Lands and maps, have been surveyed, and it will now be yossible to produce an excellent topographical map of the aiwa examined. “The area in which coal measures occur has been exactly delimited; amt numerous coal outcrops, many hitherto unknown, have been located, and are shown in exact position on the field maps. The coal measures proper are about lOfll't. in thickness, and contain in most places several seams of coal. The thickest outcrops observed, however, were only sft.; one of these occurs on Section 2, Block I, Ohura Survey District (Aitchison s farm). The seam, however, does not maintain this thickness, but along the strike thins to Ift. Sin. in 10 chains, and on the dip to 3ft. in 20 chains On the east side of the Tangarakau Gorge there is also a sft. outcrop, but this contains some shaly bands. The thickest outcrop of clean coal elsewhere in the gorge is 3ft. 9in. In places faulting is prominent. “It is quite certain that under present conditions the coal of the Tangarakau Gorge and that near Tatu and Chuxa cannot be profitably worked on a large scale. Small mines to satisfy local requirements may possibly be established at some future time, but in view of the important field of coal near Waitewhena, north of Ohura, immediate action in this direction does not seem advisable. In several places thick but variable bands of conglomerate suitable for road-making purposes have been found. “The Ohura County Council intends opening a quarry in Gorge Creek, three mites west of Ohura. Hero the winglomerate is 100 ft. thick. M» Ellis, as a result of the geological examination of this locality, was able to indicate to the county engineer a much better site for the quarry than that originally selected. To sum up the economic results of the survey:—(l) A good topographical and geological map of the area examined can now be produced. (2) The area in vlich coal occurs has been defined, and tho coal outcrops have been exactly located. (3) Roadmaking material has been found.”