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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1213, 6 March 1880, Page 2

During the half year ended on. the 28th day of February last the Shag Point Coal Company turned out of their mines ho less than 14,000 tons of coal, all of which has been disposed-of, the proceeds being about LB4OO. This amount is only less than that scored during the last half-year by the celebrated Bay of Islands Company, ' whose mine not oply has the advantage of being in a particularly eligible position for supplying steamers and vessels, but has also the advantage of longer establishment.. This large output is, of course, partly attributable to the patronage of the Government, they having ordered an average of about 300 tons per week. This should be alike encouraging to the Company and the public, for t whilst the former makes a fair profit on its transactions, the latter gets its coal cheaper, and of as good quality as that from foreign raipeg. Then, of course, there is the fact that the money that was until lately sent to enrich the proprietors of the Newcastle mines is now retained in the Colony, and. » large number of men who would otherwise be put of work, a drag on the Government, and a* nuisance to themselves and everybody pise,' are given remunerative employment. A J\ear ago there were only 25 or 30 men employed in the Company's mines. Now there are nearly 90, and there is every indication that the end of the present year will see a stijl further increase in the number of hands employed and % corresponding increase in" the basiness cf the Company. The Union Steamship Company have tried the coal for its ocean-going 'as wpll as coasting steamers, and pronounced it equal to Newcastle. The effect of this decision will probably be. that the Union Company will become a large consumer, whilst - the Government and the public will without doubt, increase their patronage year by year.