AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 627, 10 November 1858, Page 6

AUCKLAND.

The ' New Zealander' of October 2nd has the following article on the late mineral discoveries in the province, headed : WHAT? HAVE WE GOT ? From -Mr. -E. King, who has just returned to Auckland, we learn that, indications of coal have been found near to. the Wairoa River, but at present indications only:, a minute search must be made before any positive opinion can be pronounced as to the probability of coal being found in any quantity on the. East side of the Hunua district. Limestone, however, and sandstone, both of excellent quality and in abundance, were found-along the whole route of the exploration; and there is evidently no reason why,,ere ranother generation has passed away, there should not be a stone-built Queen-street, almost if not quite rivaling the: world-renowned Union-street in the City of Aberdeen. We hear.tob, bf another seam of coal having been found on Mr. Farmer's land, more convenient to the.water than we have! had to notice. Mr, Turnbull has a large party how at work on this coal-field; which continues tp yield coal of excellent quality—all still of the cannel kind. The commanders of the "Mary, Ann" and and Captain Heale of the Great Copper Mining Company, all pronounce the coal to bei far. superior to anything they, could have expected to have seen procured from so near the surface. ,",Mr. Campbell is continuing the exploration1 on his land with success; and we are glad to hear that he is offering to 'easo the working of his land for a very moderate royalty, while the owner of the adjoining land—' whose name we now forget—-offers free passage for a tramway across his property to,Mr. Camp bell's. Thisis the right, spirit in ...which the search after mineral wealth should be met ana promoted by all whoso Co-operation is in any way essential. ;The story or the lad who out open his goose to get the golden eggs, so losing both gooHo and golden eggs, has a.useful niora .for owners of boats and drays and of land across which a road may have to be taken. ?) n ing out for too high terms■ for caning"; m former may render it impossible for .Ihe.otvno of the coal-field to compote with', Australian onu even English importers; and ;tho latter >"'v depend upon it thut Mr. CamyboU's iioim'^lJ. will bo amply repaid for his judicious '', |)(>' fl c ity by the increased value which, tho wovUmfe the adjoining coul-neld will givo to hix pvol> ev^'

One word of advice we may venture to give to all who are interested in the Hunua and Opaheke Districts. There are now in this province many North American, Canadian, and Nova Scotian settlers—men. well up in the valuable art of constructing Timber Tramways at the least cost. It would be money wisely laid out to offer a moderate premium for the best plan for tratmvays from the coal fields to the creek running to the Mauukau and into the Wah'oa. We believe that such tramways could be constructed at a comparatively small cost, for there is plenty of timber, and the country presents no great engineering difficulty to be overcome.

Our old correspondent "Opaheke," sends word and proof, of other discoveries in Drury, These are of a number of pigments of excellent quality—yellow and red, gray-blue, pink, brown, and chrome-yellow ochres; fine pipe-clay ; and an infusorial deposit furnishing an impalpable Band which would make a first-rate pounce. Samples of these fine ochreous clays accompanied the letter of "Opaheke," and we have hastily tested their colour-yielding properties with the aid of a little water. The result is so far very satisfactory, as may be seen by any of our readers who will take trouble to call at our office.

"Opaheke" very properly remarks that we have just now much need of the services of a practical and scientific analytical chemist. Such an authority we shall have in Captain Heale, who, as soon he has leisure, will render his assistance in these matters —so giving the province, reason to rejoice at his return from the Fatherland. Steps have also been taken by the proper authorities to endeavour to secure the services of Mr. Clarke or some other sound geologist from the neighbouring colonies in order to have the mineral resources of the provinces thoroughly explored.