The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 70, 24 March 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870.

In a late issue of the Canterbury Press it is stated that the engine by which its printing machine is worked was that day, for the first time, driven by coals obtained from the Malvern Hills, distant about 35 miles from Christchurch. In reading these words the question at once suggested itself to our raiud, when shall we be able to report that coal obtained within a tew miles of Nelson has been used for working the numerous steam engines in use in ti.is province? Although we can boast of at least, two coal mines of no ordinary value, we still continue to import this necessary article of consumption in large quantities from Australia, and it is therefore with no little pleasure that we learn th.it in the course of a few weeks, or months at the outside, the proprietors of the Collingwood mine will be in a position to supply the wants of, at all event?, the town ofNelson. In no othpr iustance that we are aware of in New Zealand has the combination of capital and labor on a large scale been so successfully carried out as in the working of this mine. Ploddingly, perseveringly, with untiring energy, battling against many and serious difficulties, but withal never losing heart, have those engaged in th ; s important undertaking manfully adhered to the work they had taken in hand, and now, it is stated, that after many weary months, their unceasing labors are likely to be crowned with the success they have so richly deserved. It must, of course, be most gratifying to the proprietors to find their arduous undertaking approaching a successful termination, but, most heartily congratulating them on the result of their labors, we cannot overlook the fact that it is not they alone who will benefit from the zeal and energy they have displayed in the work they had taken in hand, but that if their hopes, as there is every reason to believe will be the case, are realised, very large advantages must, both directly and indirectly, accrue to the town of Nelson and through it to the province at large, for while the price of fuel will be materially reduced, the port of Nelson will be made a depot for the new trade that will spring into existence, as most of the small colliers which aloue will be able to proceed up the river to load at the point where the tramway reaches the water's edge will bring their cargoes to this harbor where they will be transhipped into vessels of a larger size. But apart from this important consideration, there is another of equal, if not greater, importance, namely, that with coal at greatly reduced rates, we may reasonably expect to have our streets and houses lighted with gas. This involves a doubie advantage, as, in addition to the brighter and far more agreeable light afforded by gas as compared with the now universally used kerosine, we should have the satisfaction of knowing that the money expended in providing us with light, instead of being lost to the colony, was undergoing the far more desirable process of being placed in circulation in our own immediate neighborhood. If the erection of gasworks can be made a local enterprise so much the better, but even supposing that it were necessary to call in foreign capita), the fact would still remain the same, that the material used in supplying the light would bo produced, and the money paid for it retained, in the province, and it, would only be the profits incidental upon the undertaking, and not the original cost, that would be diverted from our shores. The quantity of coal imported into the Nelson Province alone for the year 18G8, was 10,733 tous, of a value of f 20,767, whilst of kerosiue and colza oils there were 18,288 and 1537 gallons respectively, of a total value of £3380.- Looking at the matter then from a purely local point of view, it is clear that any movement having for its object the substitution of home production for the imported articles, thus enabling us to retain amongst ourselves the large amount of money which at present goes to enrich other countries, must of necessity be of the highest importance to

the public welfare, and is therefore deserving of every encouragement from all who have the interests of the province at heart. If it were for this reason alone we should most heartily wish the Collingwood Coal Mining Company success iv their courageous undertaking, and most sincerely do we hope that no unforeseen accident may occur to prevent the realisation of the brightest hopes they can possibly have formed as to the ultimate results of a scheme, which, if successful, must be productive of incalculable benefit to the colony in general, and to our own province in particular.