RENOWN COLLIERIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 12

RENOWN COLLIERIES

SATISFACTORY DEVELOPMENT (From Our Own Correspondent) HUNTLT, Monday. Excellent progress continues to be made at the Renown Collieries at Waikokowai. Development work is being concentrated and nine pairs of miners are hewing coal, which is of excellent quality, with little or no stone, an important factor in Waikato coals. About 80 hands all told are now employed. April 27 last saw the company’s first consignment on rail, and it has steadily forged ahead, and at time of writing averages 100 tons a day. The newlyerected screening plant is functioning excellently and four classes of the mineral are daily screened on the big belts. The endless rope has worked without any hitch since its inception, despite a length of 25 miles. Prospects are considered distinctly good for this company, and orders are reported to be heavy; in fact, too much so at present, in view of the objective being development and not output. There have been no setbacks except a few minor slips at No. 1 cutting, which were promptly adjusted. One. outstanding feature of the company’s business and one that is being closely watched by engineering experts is the locomotive owned by the Renown Collieries. This engine burns slack coal. Fitted with a Wilton patent furnace under the supervision of Mr. J. F. Mackley, the well-known loco engineer of the Railway Department, the innovation has so far answered all requirements and promises to revolutionise the fuel supply for locomotives. The introduction of steam to the furnace is said to be the keynote to the success so far obtained.