RIMUTAKA COAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4301, 4 January 1875, Page 3

RIMUTAKA COAL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,— Earlyin this month, in a note I wrote you about the Rimutaka tunnel, I reported that a man who had lately left working there had found a piece of coal in a stream thereabouts, which he had exhibited to several persons. A week ago I went to Feathcrston, and when there made inquiry on the subject, and was told that a seam of 18in. thick had been found within three miles of Feathcrston. I obtained some pieces and brought them home, when 1 compared them with pieces of Newcastle coal obtained from tiic mill blacksmith's shop. The former are not but the latter are laminated. On being examined with a magnifying glass they appear very similar in substance. It is the opinion of a gentleman who lias experience that the feathcrston coal is anthracite, or non-bitu-mlnous, a valuable description, the discovery of which I have not heard of having been made in New Zealand. It should be noted that these discoveries have been made quite independently of each other, their sources' miles apart, and I rather suspect on opposing sides of the Rimutaka. These facts tend to strengthen the probability that coal In quantity, as in quality of considerable value, may be found not far from the railroad, and within forty miles of Wellington. There Is coal at a convenient distance from Auckland ; in a similar relation to Port Lyttelton, to Dunedin, to Hokitika, and to Nelson. Can coal as conveniently situated in relation to so many ports be found in any country besides New Zealand? I have just heard that the scam is not nearly eighteen indies thick, but that the coal is declared to be of excellent quality. I have some reason to believe that this last statement will not be found to refer to the seam I have described, but to another, which I hope may prove the case : but be this as It may, we have proof of coal having been found at least in two jdaces, miles apart, in the Rimutaka.—l am, &c., , . Samuel Rkvans. Woodside, December 29.