KING COUNTRY'S RESOURCES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 470, 1 June 1912, Page 5

KING COUNTRY'S RESOURCES.

A GREAT COAL COUNTRY. VISIT OF GOVERNMENT ENGINEER. The existence of coal in various portioni of the King Country haa Jong been known, and even now a considerable quantity of coal is mined at Mokau, and conveyed by steamer to Taranaki. The coal measures at Mokau are of good dimension and are known to extend for a considerable distance. In the Ohura are to be found some excellent outcrops and at the present time on Mr Barnett's property a Waitewhena there are excellent prospects for a first clas3 supply. In other localities the experi- . ence is the same and the conclusion is forced upon one that the whole district is probably coal bearing. For some time past the directors of the Pio Pio and Aria factories have been considering the question of having seams that were known to exist in the district opened up and tested. In response to the representations of the directors mentioned a visit was paid to Te Kuiti on Tuesday last by Mr F. Reed, Inspecting engineer of the Mines Department at Wellington, for the purpose of investigating the coal deposits of Wairere and the neighbouring district. Mr Reed was met at Pio Pio by Mr O'Dwyer, chairman of directors for the factory, and made a tour of inspection on Wednesday. On his return to Te Kuiti on Thursday, Mr Reed was interviewed by a Chronicle representative. He stated there was no doubt, the whole country right through to the Mokau was coal bearing and he had been much interested in what he had seen. Of the actual outcrops he had visited Mr Reed could say 'out little as no development work had been done and on!} 7 the bare surface was discernible. They did not appear to be of any great size, but it was difficult to express an opinion without having them opened up to a certain extent. Speaking generally, Mr Reed was of opinion that coal was likely to be obtained anywhere in the district. He was considerably im pressed with the country and from its general character thought it extremely likely if a coal seam was struck at a little depth it would be highly valuable. OutAops in country that was somewere generally of little value, as they failed to maintain their continuit. From the indications he had observed he thought coal should be obtained at no great depth, and was of opinion that a bore at Te Kuiti might bring good results. As far as indications went there was just as much promise of striking coal at Te Kuiti as at Huntlv. There was even a chance of picking up a continuation of the large Huntly seams. Asked as to whether he considered the Government could be induced to put down a trial bore at Te Kuiti, Mr Reed said that was a matter for the local people to take in hand. If they thought anything could be accomplished they could put their request before the authorities for consideration. The indications were so favourable that he would not be surprised if a good seam of coal was struck at a reasonable depth at Te Kuici. Mr Reed left for the south by the train on Thursday evening.