Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1901. OUR COAL DEVELOPMENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 March 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1901. OUR COAL DEVELOPMENT.

Further delay in regard to the continuation of work on tho Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Creek mines seems necessary. At least the Government has so decided, having given tho Liquidators an extension of time till July to enable an expert report being made by a gentleman specially sent out by Mr. E. Dawes, of London, to visit and see for himself. Of course the extra time, under the circumstances, could not well be refused, seeing that the application comes from men of standing and who, apparently, mean business. At the same time it is to bo hoped that this is the final delay over this “ much delayed mine,” and that August will see the work in full swing.

The question was discussed at tho Harbor Board meeting last night, when general regret was expressed at the delay. The subject of re-opening the Wallsend mine was then broached by Mr. Petrie, who moved that the Chairman interview Mr. Taylor and see what probability there was of a start being made. This resolution was objected to by Messrs. Kerr and Mathieson, on the plea that there was no application or letter before the Board. The Chairman, however, intimated that ho would on his own motion get the required information, and bring it up at next meeting. The opposition of the two gentlemen named is peculiar, seeing that tho district is so much interested in tho development, Mr. Mathieson declared

that the coal got out of the mine was not worth hewing, but the evidence of Mr. Russell, of Brunner, who was an underground deputy, is, we take it, bettor proof of the existence of good coal, and he declared before the Royal Commission that there was plenty of good solid coal in sight when the mine shut down. We trust that ere long this will be proved beyond all dispute, for the demand for coal is increasing every week, and it is high time that this part of New Zealand, with its immense coal measures, received more attention. It is to be regretted, however, that, at such a time, some of our residents should systematically endeavor to decry the quality of the coal, when the cause for it getting a bad name is so well known. ■