Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4570, 12 November 1875, Page 4

Auctions TO INVESTORS, CAPITALISTS, SPECULATORS, MINING COMPANIES AND OTHERS. IMPORTANT SALE OF 3311 ACHES OP PEEEHOLD, AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, BUSH, AND MINERAL LANDS, Including the KOWAI COALMINES, MALVERN DISTRICT, AND WAKAEPA, In the Estate of MR. I. B. SHEATH. MR. CHARLES CLARK has been favored with instructions from the Trustees in the Estate of Mr. I. B. Sheath, to submit to PUBLIC AUCTION, at his rooms, in Hereford-street, Christohurch, on TUESDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, All that most valuable Freehold Estate, comprising in all 3311 acres of Agricultural, Pastor-J, and Mineral Lands, in the Malvern district. These really valuable properties, now most excellently served by the railways just completed to Sheffield and Malvern, contain over a large surface, coal, ironstone, fire clay, pottery clay, &c, &c. As regards the COAL, the shafts recently sunk have proved the seams to be of great thickness, and the quality, after being practically tested, has proved to be superior to any yet found in Canterbury, and according to the Provincial Geologist's Report, " Can be fairly compared with the best Coals of New South Wales." With a view of affording a good opportunity to the several applicants for portions of this Estate, the Trustees have decided to submit the same to PUBLIC COMPETITION, On the date above named, and in the following order : Lot I—ON THE RIVER KOWAI, comprising rural sections Nos. 3712 and 3713, containing 1713 acres of really good Agricultural and Pa toral Land, with an excellent stream of water on same. These sections are those lands formerly in part leased to the Kowai Coal Company, whose success as a company was only barred by the great cost of carriage by road of this excellent Coal, a cost which by reason of the railway is now reduced to a very low charge. With Lot 1 will also be included about 26 ACRES OF BUSH LAND, Part of rural sections Nos. 4769 and 4803, both of which were early and choice selections. The following is an abridgement of Dr. Haast's reports upon this Coalfield, as per " General Government Gazette," September 23, 1563, and Report of Geological Exploration, 1872, undertaken at the instance of the Provincial and General Governments, namely :—" Thirty feet above the river, where the drives have been put in, seven seams of coal have been exposed, from seven inches to three feet four inches thick, and interseeted with shale to the extent of over thirty-four feet;" and as this investigation, undertaken on behalf of the Provincial Government, has shown that we have here only the outcropping end or edge of the coal basin, it would be unwise to begin to work the coal at such a spot, because the seams are not of that regularity which we may expect to find more towards the centre of the basin ; and if the coal-bearing strata slio.v such a well-developed character, there can be no doubt that by boring in the direction indicated we may meet with larger seams of coal regularly striking and dipping at a much smaller and more workable angle, and as this Coalfield is of importance not only to Christchurch alone, but to the whole of NewZealand, the expense of thoroughly efficient borings could not be considered lost even if the resultsdid not answer our just expectations- The coal has been practically tested, and its value for steam and forging purposes fully proved. (See Analysis Reports of Geo. Explorations by Dr. Hector, 1871-2). Dr. Haast further states, at p. 142 of the Geo. Report 3, 1871, in reference to the Kowai Coalmines, as follows, viz.: — " In the year 18611 made a minute examination of that locality, in which I was materially assisted by the excavation of several drives. The results were embodied in a report addressed to the Provincial Government of Canterbury. I cannot add anything to that report, and must still recommend that borings should be undertaken towards the centre of the flat in order to test the real value of the ground, as I think it most probable that good workable seams of altered coal will be reached more towards the centre of the flat country." . Hector also states in same reports, p. 52, that "in addition to the localities referred to as yielding coal in this very interesting district, several others have been described by Dr. Haast; one of these, on the Kowai River, is very accessible, and the coal of good quality." The vendors have, therefore, every confidence in recommending this valuable estate to the favorable notice of intending purchasers, as they have reason to believe when Dr. Haast's suggestions are carried out, that vast coal-bearing and other valuable mineral strata will be found to underlie the whole of the property, representing a large amount of wealth, which may be successfully developed in the hands of capitalists or a mining and agricultural company. N.B. —Should this property not be sold as a whole, it will be offered in TWENTY LOTS, AS PER PLAN. Lot 2.—-ON THE HAWKINS, comprising rural sections Nos. 3715 and 7952 of 318 acres, together with about 14 acres of BUSH LAND on the Kowai. These lands, which are fenced in, subdivided into paddocks, partly laid down to English grass, or are under cultivation, have been long favorably known as JEBSONS'S COAL FIELDS, now being thoroughly opened out, to meet the increased requirements consequent on the completion of the railway. Tin'-' property is leased to Mr Jebson, upon very good terms for any investor, both as regards the yearly rent and the Royalty upon all the coal raised ; full particulars ol which can be ascertained on inquiry. Lot 3.—Comprises 232 acres of LAND, consisting of rural section No. 3716, situated on the south side of the Selwyn, supposed to contain a coalfield. J jo t 4.—Comprises 99G acres of LAND, partly adjoining Mr. Mcllraith's coalfield, now in full working order, and partly adjoining the reserves for coal made on the Home Bush Run, viz., rural sections Nos. 3717, IGG39, 19042, 19043, and 19044. It is in this last-named lot that a shaft w recently so successfully sunk, and a large sea___ of workable coal found ready to hand. With lot 4 will also be included about 20 acres of Bush Laud—selected years ago. Further particulars, with official analysis of the coal, &c, may be obtained from the Trustees, or from the Auctioneer. All seeking safe and most profitable investments, will do well to give due attention to this important sale. Sale at 1 o'clock p.m.