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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 206, 31 August 1877, Page 2

A gentleman who has juat returned from a vis!t to the Wellington Coal Compauy's mine and works (says the Post) gives a most glowing description of the company's position and future prospects. Oue great aud special advantage is that the mine is in direct communication by railway with Westport, the best port on the West Coast, where 12 to 18 feet of water at high tide can be depended upon all the year round, being considerably more than at either Hokitika or Greymouth. The railway for ll miles is a Government line, and runs through magnificent scenery It crosses the Waimangaroa River, and the last mile has been constructed by the company as a private line, the total distance from* the mine to Westport being only 12 miles. The plant and works are in excellent order and condition. The drive runs 900ft into the hill inclining to the eastward, and" the face rapidly improves as the excavations make progress. Coal was struck at 500ft. The main drive hitherto has been through broken ground, but it is expected that another 50ft to the N.E. will bring it into the best hard coal. The coal is serened at the pit, and shot at once into trucks, all possible laborsaving appliances being employed. The works are under the direction of Mr SRvinburne, an able manager. The coal is of spleudid quality ; when independently tested m this city, it was found that the same amount of steam could be maintained with 3cwt of this coal as with scwt of Newcastle coal. '■***