THE GREY COAL COMPANY’S WORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 3554, 14 July 1874, Page 3

THE GREY COAL COMPANY’S WORKS.

(Abridged from the correspondence of the Orey

River Argus ) The mine of the Grey Coal Company is situated seven miles from Greymouth, and exactly opposite the Brunner seam, of wh ph it is a continuation. The earlier’operations this company were, under the management of Mr Simpson, from Newcasle, confined to proving their extensive lease. The first and only bore reached a depth of about 220 ft, and proved a seam of coal to exist 17 ft in thickness. The shaft, as already stated, is opposite the Brunner Mfna. and about 200 yards from it, separated by the river, situated at a slight elevation above the river, and less than 100 yards from the railway, the position could not be improved upon. The shaft is round, and 10ft in diameter ; it consequently will cover a surface of about 80ft when prop- rly secured. For the first 20ft it is 12ft in diameter, thus leaving room besides being well timbered, for a stone wall Iff in thickness, which will be built in. 80ft from the surface a se : am' of coal, 14ft thick, was met The thickness of the seam varies, but the average may be presumed to ha 14ft—the thickness of the Brunner seami' which it resembles in every respect. The Shaft is yet to be sunk a further depth of 14ft. which,, when finished, will make it 108 ft. Although considerably below the level ef the riv»r. no hindrance has been experienced from the water. Instead of the ordinary method of emptying the bucket at the l}dh pf the shaft, rails are laid some distance kjaart,' oyer the tiiouth of the shaft, and'a truck ran under the bucket, which is pulled up to the surface. It is then lowered on to the truck aud emptied a short distance from the shaft, A windlass has hitherto been used for winding up the debris from the bottom of th** shaft. This method is now becoming too laborious, so in the course of a day or two a small portable engine will be used for this purpose, which- is expected to * ,e # inuch cheaper than the erection of a nrhim and the purchase and maintenance of horses. A powerful 40-horse power' engine ik on the ground, which the contractors are Sanguine of having completed and in full Working order within six weeks. no . time may be lost, on the erection of the engine a tramway Will be in readiness to convey the coal to the bank of the river, where it will be emptied into the coal boats in readiness to receive it. The efforts of this pompany aye pot to be confined solely getting coal. Coke ovens are to be erected, when the whole of the small coal will be utilised. The well-known superiority' of the Grey coke over Newcastle and imported English ceke it te be much sought after in Melbourne, where it meets with a ready sale at an increased price. »nother expected source of profit is the abundant and excellent fire-clay. The fire-bricks made from this clay have been proved to be much superior to anything yet in the Colonial market. 1 understand from the manager that in Newcastle ornaments of various sorts, both small and large, cheap and expensive, are sold largely throughout Australia. Tpe Grey coal is now becoming appreciated, and the trade consequently increasing'; not that the coal baa not always been equally good, but its appearance, when contrasted With the harder Newcastle has. until lately, been detrimental to its extensive sale. This ie hew in a great measure removed. Doubtless the mere ferce of competition will force a trade, and the most likely outlet this will fake Willbe by building steam colliers. Coal can now be shipped to Greymouth at'l6s

per ton, and in eight months hence, when the railway is completed, at 12s, which will be 2s less than at Newcastle, Suppose one steam collier were built, capable of carrying 300 tons, there is no raason why it should not make three trips per month to Nelson and Wellington, or carrying a total for the 12 months of 10,800 tons. Those versed in the value of such vessels and the cost of working, will know whether it will pay or not : four of such vessels would meet the requirements of the place until other provision could be made. This is a question which is w'ell worth tho Attention of investors.