BORING FOR COAL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 March 1901, Page 3

BORING FOR COAL.

A special meeting of the Greymouth Harbor Board—present Messrs Kettle (chair), Kerr, Matheson and Petric—was held tliis forenoon to consider an offer from the Kaitangata Coal Company to lease boring rods as follows: " With reference to my letter of the 4th instant, I am now instructed to offer your Board the hire of the diamond drill on the following terms, viz ; ".For a period of four months or less £250, expenses of carriage from Kaitangata, and back to Kaitangata, to be borne by your people, lost diamonds and to be replaced, and generally the plant to be returned in perfect condition, except ordinary tear and wear ; if retained beyond that time the charge to bo computed at the above rate, which is equal to £(52 per month ; we will, of course, load and discharge at our end. " This charge may appear high, but it is a very valuable plant, and docs the work thoroughly. "There is a boiler with it, which, of course, will increase cost of carriage ; if you can get steam easy beside your operations it would be useless expense sending the boiler. "We have upwards of 2000 feet of rods.

•' I regret that I cannot give you any I information as to cost oE boring, but I should say including everything it should not bo more than about Vl\- per foot. "The diamonds cost about 30/- to 35/cach. The borts arc much cheaper, I think, but I am not sure. If the diamonds are well set you seldom lose any. We have one drill thoroughly sot, from which you could take a pattern to set any more should yon lose any." , . • Mr Petrie said the present position wa* too critical to admit of hesitation, and he moved that the offer be accepted and the Chairman telegraph to send on plant at once. Seconded by Mr Kerr and carried. Mr Kerr moved and Mr Matheson seconded that the Company be also asked to send men in charge.—Carried.