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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4491, 11 August 1875, Page 2

A return, showing the quantities and value of coal imported into New Zealand, for two years ended June 30th, 1875, is a valuable paper. The following are the

It will be observed that the west coast of the Middle Island does not figure as a coal-importing district. Auckland and the Thames, although large manufacturing centres, range very low on the return. This is accounted for by the consumption of Bay of Islands coal, and the completion of the Waikato railway to the Taupari mines will largely increase the use of New Zealand coal in the Northern settlements, by bringing it into the local markets. The Thames is chiefly supplied from the Bay of Islands, and the fact that only 736 tons were imported by it from New South Wales last year, as against!969 tons in 1873, strengthens our opinion that in the Northern province the produce of local coal mines is driving out sea-borne coal. Dunedin is likewise in the fortunate position of having a large aid to its manufacturing industries in the coal deposits in its vicinity. The extent to which the brown coal of Otago lias gone into consumption is not generally understood. A mere return of imports and exports does not suffice to illustrate the extent to which the country is self-dependent for its fuel. A return of the output of the various coal mines of the colony might bo obtained without difficulty, and this would suffice to show, with the information before us, the extent to which the country now supplies its wants in the matter of fuel. We trust some member of the Legislature will supplement these returns, by obtaining the information wo have indicated. The following figures show the export of coal from New Zealand, for five years ending June 30th, 1876 : Auckland .. .. 303 tons £503 Russell 401 „ 401 Wellington .. .. 150 „ 300 Nelson J „ 1 Westport .. .. 17 ~ 20 Greymoutli .. .. 5020 J ~ 4598 Total .. .. 0542 tons £Ol2l

Auckland .. 31,414 tons £49,358 Thames .. .. 2,705 ,, 4,987 Wanganui.. 130 „ 100 Wellington .. 70,110 „ 122,906 Napier 0.427 „ 14,646 Nelson 7,736 „ 14,986 Lyttelton .. .. 06,904 „ 125,361 Timaru 7,392 ., 19,234 Oamaru 4,441 „ 12,103 Dunedin .. .. 54,004 ,, 71.756 Invercargill 3.006 „ 5,553 Total .. .. 254,359 tons £440,995