THE PRINCE OF WALES COAL FIELD, GREEN ISLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3329, 21 October 1873, Page 2

THE PRINCE OF WALES COAL FIELD, GREEN ISLAND.

Mr John B. Hotson, mining engineer and surveyor, reports as follows of the working and prospects of the Prince of Wales coal mine at Green Island : The shaft and workings at present in operation may with a small outlay be fitted to deliver an average of about 100 tons daily. The coal to the rise of the shaft ought at this rate to furnish work for not less than six years. A large increase of workable area may be made available from the same shaft by dip workings. It is also practicable to secure an increased working area from the present shaft by increasing the depth, say 00 feet, and driving a mine across the minerals to the east, thereby cutting the coal at a lower level. Should this plan be adopted, it is possible that another and hitherto nnworked seam of payable thickness and quality might be struck. I have this day again inspected the workings of the Prince of Wales Coal Pit. The south level and the several headings have been somewhat extended since my last visit. The workings opened out are as yet only limited in area. They are capable of very considerable extension, and a weekly yield of at least twice the present quantity may be readily obtained. Even in the small portion of the work at present opened, the greater part of the seam remains untouched, ns a thickness of only about seven feet of the lower portion of the seam has been extracted, I observe at a point in oue of the headings that a small part of the roof coal has been taken down. The thickness of coal presented to the eye at this point will ho about fourteen feet, with coal still forming the roof. From all the indications presented I can see no reason to alter the opinion expressed in my first report as to the extent to which the coal is available. Without reckoning the mass of the coal to the east, the workings to the west ought to yield an average of one hundred tons daily for at least six years. These workings will leave the coal untouched in the greater part of the lease, and in this portion new workings on a hu ger scale may be opened up to such extent as the increasing requirements of the trade may demand. So far, therefore, as that part of the mineral field contained in the lease of 110 acres is concerned, it may bo said that only a commencement has been made towards the extraction of the deposits of fuel contained m it. In considering' and determining updn the further

opening up and extension of the field of opera* tions, tne question of quantity may be regarded as settled, and it only remains to decide upon the best means of utilising the vast mineral deposits undoubtedly contained in the lease.