THE MOKAU COALFIELDS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 37, 11 January 1884, Page 3

THE MOKAU COALFIELDS.

Thk latest news from the Mokau says that the little pioneer steamer bearing the name of the river, and having on board a party of engineers and miners, crossed the bur last week and proceeded about thirty miles up the Mohan River. The party put in six test drives on the Taranaki sine. Messrs Graham ana Black, in charge of a party of practical miners from the Bay of Islands, conducted the work and wrt very well satisfied with the samples of coal obtained in the drives, Some of Messrs. Smith and Stockman's, party returned to town a few days ago. They have felled the bush round their mine on the Northern side of the river, and have erected a dwel-ling-house, coal-house, &c. They have also erected a wharf of spars obtained from the bush; The wharf projects twelve feet from the cliff over the water. Forty tons of coal are now awaiting shipment, and, with the extra facilities afforded by the wharf, can be shipped in two hours. Everything is ao far advanced now that the entenorising managers hope to ship away cargoes of coal frequently and regularly. The coal is said to be of the kind known as “ glance ” coal, and is found to be most useful for either gas, steam or household purposes, or in puddling iron-work, it being an “ un-caking ” coats