OTAGO.
Discoveky or Coal in the Toko mairiro District.—The following- letter, addressed to His Honor the Superintendent, from Mr. John Cargill, on the subject of the late discovery of coal in the Tokomairiro, will be read with interest. Since the date of the letter we understand that the settlers have been working the coal with success, and several tons have been raised during the week. It is scarcely possible to over rate the advantages arising to the Tokomairiro district from this discovery. There are already a considerable body of settlers there, who have turned their uttention to agricultural pursuits, and we have no doubt that from the nature of the country, which is admirably adapted for fanning, the Tokomairiro will be one of the most flourishing of our agricultural districts. Meadow Bank, Tokomairivo, 16th July, 1855. To Hi<; Honor the Superintendent. Si>\ —I bave the honour to forward to you per bearer a specimen of coal that has lately been
discovered in this district. Competent judges declare the coal to be of good quality. Indeed as far as I can judge, it is the best yet found iri New Zealand. Your Honor will no doubt have observed thai the scarcity of fuel was the only drawback v this fine district, that obstacle is now entirelr removed, the place from which the c<jal was oh lamed being easily accessible by a level road, along which Mr. Smith brought* 18 cwt. to hi house last week.
The coal was found cropping out on the left bank of the river, about a mile and a half hei low Mr. PoppelwelPs sections, and on clearing out a small creek to make it passable for the dray, coal was again found in its bed. Mr. Thomas Reid, who had been used to mining at home, and to whom we are indebted for having brought the coal practically into use, informs me that the seam is 3 feet thick,bedded above and below in an inferior coal, or rather anthracite, and that very superior fire clay exists in abundance. I would only further add, that as the tide flows to where the coal is, it could be got to tbe month of the river in flut-bottomed boats, but I am not sufficiently acquainted with the mouth to say whether it is practicable to ship it from thence. I need not point out to your Honor the advisability of having the land in question reserved from sale, and for the use of the inhabitants of the district and public generally. I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, J. Cakgill. F.S.—The specimen I send is rather frialile, owing to its having come from the first working, and having been kept for some time in a warm dry place. The coal was hewn out in largs blocks, one weighing above 3 cwt. — Otago Witness. We have to call the attention of our country settlers to a fact iri^reference to the cultivation of potatoes, which is of great importance lo agriculturists. It appears that out of the cargo of potatoes exported by the " Amherst," the whole of the Derwents arrived in first-rate condition, whilst the potatoes of every olher variety have been completely destroyed by tlie voyage, which was rather protracted. Not only is this the case, with the cargo of the " Amherst," but the result is so invariably the same with all shipments from New Zealand, that the Australian merchants recommend the growth of the Derwent only, at least for exportation.— Ibid.
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Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 294, 25 August 1855, Page 6
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586OTAGO. Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 294, 25 August 1855, Page 6
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