NATIVE COAL ON THE RAILWAYS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1427, 11 September 1878, Page 3

NATIVE COAL ON THE RAILWAYS.

The following report on a trial of the Springfield coal for railway purposes is attached to the Public Works Statement : " 11th April, 1878. "In our last trial of native coal it was found to give very unsatisfactory results, but since then, having fitted up an engine especially to burn it, and having secured the services of an experienced driver and fireman from Auckland to run the engine, I am able to report favorably on its use. The results given below are obtained from the driver's daily sheets, O 74 engine : Engine Cwt. Mileage. Coal used, lath Feb. to 26th March 2,813 Native... 530 Deduct for Newcastle 100 Newcastle 18 2,713 miles for 530 cwfc. of native coal, or something under 221 b per engine mile. " The average consumption of coal (Newcastle) on engines O 72 and 0 73 may be taken at 181bs per mile for the current year, the cost of Newcastle coal is 28j 9d per ton at Lyttelton ; of native coal, 17s at Sheffield. 28 75 17 18 22 23000 34 2875 34 51750 5175)374000(72 36225 11750 10350 so that native coal is nearly 28 per cent cheaper than Newcastle, so far as engines of this class arc concerned. " With Springfield coal at 7s 6d, at which rate it Bhould be obtainable if tho railway wero connected with the mine, the saving would be as under : 7.5 22 150 150 5175)165000(32 15525 9750 —a saving of more than 67 per cent. On the 20th ultimo I ordered sixty tons more of this native coal for experimenting with the American engines, but, owing to the difficulty of transportation, none has yet been supplied. I am informed by the manager of the pit that he is unable to supply the greater part of the coai he receives orders for, on account of the scarcity of trucks, and the expense of cartage. " As the pit is only about five miles from the terminus, and there is a railway reserve nearly all the way, it becomes a matter of important consideration whether the Q-overn-ment do not see their way to put the pit in direct railway connection with the branch line. "Allison D. Smith, " Locomotive Engineer. " The Commissioner of Railways, " Middle Island."