Interesting Subterranean Discovery.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1642, 23 February 1886, Page 4

Interesting Subterranean Discovery.

• • .. . ."• '"• — • ■". ■• • " Some interesting facts have been brought to light by Mr Fantham as to the substrata in the vicinity of -Hawera. While sinking a well on' his property, he reached a depth of 75 feet without strik- _ ing water, and consequently gave up the", idea. At a depth of 9 feet, which was, through a rich chocolate subsoil, he came on lignite, which continued to a depth of 51 feet. Then follows a layer of two feet of sand arid clay, after whichSthere; is a fresh lot of lignite, which runs down to 63ft. At 60ft lie came across a bloek of timber, in an excellent state of preservation, supposed to be Pukitea, which has since been sawn" up at the Sasli arid Door Factary, and tnrned out ,a board j eight inches wide. • It is a peculiar dark ' colour, and well grained.. | There was also ■ a perfectly preserved flar plant,' which is a great curiosity. At 64ft the lignite is < of very. fine. quality, and at 65ft a sort ot putty, which on exposure to 'the air becomes very hard, lik ceiient, and would, Mr Fanthairi believes,^ make a valuable J cement. At 68 feet there was a similar substance mixed with sand,- which, on becoming wet, grows very hard ; and at 69ft there was a coarse sand mixed with pumice. Then for two feet follows a layer of some substance like limestone ; and after that a layer of very fine sand ;, or silt. At 74ft Mr Fantham unearthed what he is informed is a mineral of some kind. .* At this stage the sinking was discontinued. Mr Fantham is so impressed with the value 'of some oi his finds, that he will probably send specimens to Dr v Von Haast for analysis— - Hawera Star.