OUR COAL FIELDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5027, 4 May 1877, Page 6

OUR COAL FIELDS.

One has only to examine carefully the geological map of New Zealand to bo at once convinced of the vast extent and great value of our coal measures. In various parts of the colony, and not at distant intervals, large deposits of this useful mineral are known to exist, extending indeed, at almost regular distances, from South-west Cape in the Middle Island, to Cape Maria A r an Diemen in the North. Throughout this large area there are no less than thirty-hve localities containing coal-bearing strata, or exhibiting indications sufficient to warrant the geologist in asserting that coal exists in the strata beneath. In many of these localities payable coal seams have already been discovered, and are now being worked, wo doubt not, with profit - to the enterprising proprietors, and to the evident benefit of the colony at large. We have no data by which wo can arrive at even an approximate idea of the united area of our coal deposits. But we have no doubt that as the geological survey of these islands becomes more complete other localities will be found equally rich in this important mineral. It would be interesting to contemplate, in the light of geological science, the various strata and formations which compose the terra jirma of these islands, and as we opened the laminated foldings of the geological page, we should read, as in a book, the " testimony of the rocks ;" •we should read the history of countless ages, stretching far away into the distant past. The study would reveal to us successive periods of submergence and elevation, long before the surface yielded to the impress of human feet, or the valleys resounded to the sound of the human voice. Surpassingly grand and sublime are the thoughts it would engender. But however interesting this study might be to the man of science and the student of nature, we must not forget that we are touching upon a subject which is beyond the proviuce of the ordinary journalist. It is to the purely utilitarian aspect of the sublet*' at we must direct our attention. Our coal ae;r sils are ° f economic and commercial M*??*™™- ■" »of the utmost importance that v/J s '»ould have a regular supply of cheap coal for clou2?.? tlc purposes, and we hail with considerable satisfaction the formation of companies for the supply of the capital and other seaport towns with this necessary article of domestic "consumption. We have also our railways, steam machinery, and' a large' number of coasting steamers, all of, which, we presume, would be glad to consume the New Zealand coal, in preference to the imported artiole. It does appear to us a matter of regret that we should go on importing coals for these purposes to the amount of tens of thousands of tons, and to the value of hundreds of thousands of pounchy sterling per annum, when we have extensive areas of coal-bearing strata of our own, and which only await the enterprise and capital of our people to turn them to profitable account. It is of the greatest importance to the success of the .colony as a whole that our latent resources should be developed. The following figures will justify the foregoing remarks : —ln 1875 we imported 147,750 tons of coal, of the estimated value of £240,536. It occurs to us incidentally, but it is not the less remarkable, that our consumption of imported coal very nearly equalled the aggregate produce of the Irish mines for 1865, which was about 150,000 ton 3. It appears to us that this enormous expenditure of capital might be prevented ; that is to say, the money could as well be spent in the colony, and, in fact, the same quantity supplied at a much les3 cost. Cheap coals are necessary for the profitable carrying on of various enterprises. Mining operations and manufacturing undertakings are rendered more profitable when coals are cheap. The ore from many of the mines of Cornwall and other mining districts in the south of England, is taken to Merthyr Tydvil, in Wales, to be smelted, because there is no coal in those counties, and it is found more economical to convey the ore to the coal than the coal to the ore. Some of the best iron ores in England and Ireland are found unprofitable to work, because of their great distance from the coal mines ; while other and much inferior ores are worked with profit simply because they are in the immediate vicinity of coal. In fact, it" is well known that the best iron ores in England (that is so far as pereentage ■of metal is concerned) are not worked, while those yielding a much smaller percentage of metal are worked constantly. The major part of the supply of the English iron trade comes from the poorest ores. This is caused by the fact already assigned. It is easy to see from this how important a part a regular supply of cheap coal is calculated to supply in the development of our other mineral resources. Cheap coal" is the life's blood, the very bone and sinew of a mining district. Let coals be cheap, and even a mine of moderate richness will pay working expenses, and yield a fair return for the capital invested; but let coalsbe scarce and dear, and mines of great richness (we speak now of the more common metals) will not pay. Every one knows that the coal and iron trades of Great Britain have been the cause of' her success. We know of no more interesting sight to the true patriot than to pass through the iron districts and see the numerous furnaces vomiting forth their volumes of flame. We tru3t the time is not far distant when similar scenes -will meet the eye of the traveller in New Zealand.- The quantity of coals raised in Great Britain is enormous, amounting to many millions of tons per annum. Hitherto, we have, spoken only of the importance and , value of our coal depositß in developing our internal commerce, encouraging manufacturing enterprise, and bringing out our latent mineral resources. But'we must not forget the importance of a large export trade.'. The export of coals from Newcastle, New South Wales, is' very large. Vessels are frequently obliged to •wait some weeks to get a cargo. Immense quantities of ' coal are ■ annually - shipped from that port to the other 'Australian colonies, Tasmania, and New Zealand. We do not erivy our neighbors their large and important trade, but we see no reason why we should not cater for a share of the trade, especially with those colonies •with which we trade so largely. Tasmanian vessels trading to our ports generally proceed to Newcastle, after -discharging "here, to fill up. with coal for vantage ipf both parties if we had the coals "at Jiarid,' so that the Ta'smanian vessels cciuld,load here. Coals are taken to Hobarton as back-freight,: and the owners think themselves amply paid; if they can .net 10s. per torn ;: ! .' •> •