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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 388, 25 June 1866, Page 1

The Waitara Again. —We clip the following from the Colonist of the 12th :—lt is said on good authority that the whole of the question of the Waitara is likely to be again opened for discussion between the friendly natives of Taranaki and the Government. Mr James Mackay. the Native Commissioner, left last night by the Phoebe to attend a large meeting of the natives at Taranaki, to endeavor to settle some moot points respecting the Waitara block, and probably the Waitotara land purchase. Sir Mackay has power to detain the Phoebe twenty-four hours beyond her time at Taranaki, and if the question can be settled within that time, •will ; if not, it must be adjourned till another time, as Mr Mackay must go on to Auckland, to be present at a great native meeting to be held at Tauranga. Such in brief is what is-reported to.ua. When will these land disputes end and where ?

Coal Mines at Tuapeea. —The Tuapeka Press gives the following account of a local industry : —“ We yesterday inspected the coal mine lately opened by Messrs M’Coll, Jlay and Co., near’ Mr Robertson's farm. As yet they are not in a position to supply the public, although two or three loads were carted away for consumption on Thursday. To all appearance, an extensive deposit of valuable lignite has been discovered. The depth from the surface is about 26 feet, and is wrought by a tunnel 6J feet high by 5 feet wide. A . considerable stream of water drains from the far end of the tunnel, running underneath the planked barrow-way. The ground near the entrance of the tunnel was very rotten and loose, which necessitated the construction of an open adit or cutting, 84 feet long, well supported by. slabs and cross timbers every four feet. In the tunnel itself, which is at present about 50 feet in depth, the roof has been closely timbered with inch slabs, supported by substantial bearers of round timber 6 icchers in diameter, and 4 feet apart. As they penetrate farther into the hill, the ground is beginning to assume a tougher consistency, so that it will stand for some distance without timbering. The coal is distinctly visible along the sides of the tunnel to the height of about 3 feet, being a good black color, hard, and solid; so solid, in fact, as to require blasting. As to the thickness of the seam we are not in a position to speak, as the floor of the tunnel is of coal, and the thickness can only be ascertained by sinking a shaft or by putting in a drive at a lower level. We hear, indeed, that it is in contemplation to commence a new tunnel 10 feet below the level of the present one, and wide enough to allow of a double tramway, so as to admit of working with a small railway and trucks, which wUI greatly decrease the cost of extraction. We are glad to be able to state "that the existence of lignite in sufficient quantity amply to repay the cost of opening up the mine is now placed beyond a doubt, and we look frrwasd to see the enterprising lessees •peedily reimbursed.”