HIGH PRICE OF FIREWOOD.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 760, 27 July 1853, Page 3

HIGH PRICE OF FIREWOOD.

To the Editor of the New-Zealandeu.

Sir, —Some two or three years ago I attended a sale of Waikato coal, held by a committee of the subscribers to a fund raised to test practically the availableness of the Waikato Coal Field. At that sale I bought a ton or two of this coal; hut, having no'grates in my house suitable for burning coal, and wood, that most convenient fuel, being cheap and abundant, my womankind were not to be persuaded to use the coal, and it has ever since lain a neglected heap exposed to the weather.

Now, however, that firewood is three or four times its former price, and cartage over bad roads proportionably advanced, the despised Waikato <ou proves a most convenient auxiliary ; and, although used on open hearths, hrs, with a small proportion of wood, kept us in excellent fires, while some of our neighbours have been occasionally put to it to keep the pot boiling by any contrivance, firewood, at some times this winter, not being obtainable for love or money. I have heard some rumours of a traim road or canal across the portage between Manakau Harbour and the river Waikato, being again in agitation, and I believe that the Deputy Surveyor fieneral has very lately been engaged in surveying a line, and in making estimates for some such work. Were this effected, and the road from here to Onehunga beach completed, there can be little doubt that Waikato coal would soon find its way to Auckland; where, if the estimate published in the report of the committee above alluded to be correct, it could be delivered at about the same price per ton as we are now paying for firewood, when we can get it. I trust, sir, that if the powers that he, or the powers that are to be, do not soon show themselves awake to the importance of this matter, you, who I believe took an active interest in it some time since, will aid to direct public attention to the existence in this neighbourhood of an inexhaustible supply of good and cheap fuel, which, though not actually at our doors, can, 1 have no doubt, be readily brought there. A few years since kauri gum was in great demand, and very large prices were realized for it in the home market for a sliort time —but, suddenly, it was declared utterly worthless —having been found unsuitable to those purposes in the arts to which it had been supposed applicable, how, however, it seems to have found its level; and, although it will not rank with costly gums, it is still a very valuable product, and is now saleable in any quantity at a remunerating price. And so of the Waikato coal—although it may not yet meet all our requirements as a coal for manufacturing purposes, and other uses which require a very intense heat, yet it is ascertained beyond question, that an unlimited.supply of excellent fuel for all domestic purposes, lies close to taa surface on the banks of the river Waikato. And who can tell whether, when the mere surface c ' Ja l, which alone has yet been tried, is worked through, and the deeper beds penetrated, coal of a superior quality may not be discovered. |I am, Sir, Economist.