AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 101, 8 October 1858, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

The White Swan arrived ftom Auckland on Wednesday morning, bringing papers to the Ist instant.

The subject attracting most attention was the discovery of important coal fields in the Hunua and Opabeke districts. With reference to these discoveries, we extract the subjoined correspondence from the Southern Cross, of September 24:—

To the Editor ofthe Southern Cross.

Sir,—l have witnessed another experiment with the Drury coal which has proved highly satisfactory in its results. Mr. Turnbull sent two tons of - the coals on board the screw steamer White Swan for the purpose of having the qualities tested.. On Tuesday about half-past 12 o'clock the fires were lit. "We looked with no little anxiety for the ignition of the coal, as rumors were very prevalent that it was difficult to light; to us it seemed to ignite with ease, and the chief engineer's opinion - was, that it lit as easily as English or New South Wales coal. In an hour and a half there was' sufficient steam for working the vessel; and the time, the engineer informed us, was rather under than over that usually taken in getting up the steam. This gentleman's opinion ofthe coals was in every respect highly favorable: he said he had every confidence in them, and from what he had seen he should not hesitate to go to sea with them alone.

Mr. Turnbull obtained from a certificate in writing, a copy of which I enclose, for the purpose of shewing to the owner; and on giving it to him the engineer .said, " I think more of the coals than what I have said, hut I like to keep on the safe side."

Whilst we were on board (and the "we" Consisted of Messrs. Turnbull, F. Rich, H. B. Johnstone, Captain Wing, tlie pilot, and myself) it was blowing so hard that neither the captain, owner, or passengers could come off, and on our return to the Onehunga beach, Mr. Kirkwood (the owner) received with a smile of incredulity what he evidently thought to be the statements of sanguine people. But the written opinion of his chief engineer altered the state of affairs to such a" degree that, after some conversation with Mr. Turnbull, he ordered one hundred tons of coal, for the White Swan's next trip, at 30s. per ton. . ■ _ '*- Verily, the existence of "good coal" in the neighborhood of Auckland, is an "established fact." lam, &c, &c, Reader Wool). Auckland, September 23rd, 1868.

Copy of the report of the Chief Engineer of the White Swan upon the Drury Coal. "Manukau Harbor, September 22nd, 1858. " Having received a small quantity ofthe newly discovered Auckland coal for the purpose of trying its qualities, I, after having obtained from them sufficient steam for working the vessel, have no hesitation in saying that they are much superior to that procured from Nelson, and that I should feel perfectly satisfied if they were the only coals supplied for a sea voyage; also I can assert that it •did not take more coal to get the steam up than usual. (Signed.) James Trail, " Chief Engineer S.S. White Swan. " True copy. "Reader Wood!" To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, —The recent importation and valuable discoveries of coal and limestone in the Hunua and Opaheke districts will, I'trust,'arouse the energies of every good colonist to the importance of at once commencing a search tlu-oughout the province, and endeavor to bring to light the minerals with which this province abounds. The Rev. Mr. Clarke, and other geologists, have described New Zealand to be ; exceedingly rich in minerals, and I believe every ■person who has travelled to any extent through the province will bear testimony to the fact of there being the strongest indications of the existence' of gold, copper, iron, silver, coal, and lime- ■ stone; and yet up to the present time no active steps (beyond the Goromandel gold explorations) have even been taken to develop the mineral wealth of the province. Why such apathy should exist, I am at a loss to account, unless it is that our business occupations so fully occupy and demand our time and attention as to leave little time to assist in promoting any public benefit. I am rather inclined to the belief there is not sufficient energy displayed amongst us, and particularly at such times as ifc is most needed, through any partial failure or stoppage caused by unforeseen circumstances. Wealth has been too easily acquired by speculators and those engaged in business occupations; the natural consequence follows, that' our energies are damped, and not kept sufficiently alive to awaken any degree of spirit. Were we to exhibit such a degree of earnestness as is usually displayed in a contested election, our efforts would more often be crowned with success in promoting any public benefit. Tlie discoveries of coal in the Hunua were very simply brought to light by a meeting of a few settlers at Papakura, and forming a committee to practically tes*t and follow up the report as to the . existence of coal in the Hunua. The result of one day's labor far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of every person engaged in the search. Could not other committees be formed in a similar ' way, to devote a little time in exploring the ' country ? It is high time that we should adopt some means, if possible, of increasing our exports ,* the exchange is fearfully against the province at ' the present time, and were it not for the occasional .^arrival of capitalists amongst us, the province would be drained of specie and brought to a standstill.

With such a state of affairs existing, does it not become the duty of every one to set to work diligently and endeavor to bring about an alteration with regard to our financial position; and endeavor to get a cash balance in favor of the province over <and above the imports? The coal discoveries which have taken place are more important than may at first be imagined. Ist. A large amount of capital will be kept in the province which is annually sent away for imported coal, 2nd. Nothing could tend to promote steam com- . munication more effectually than being in a position to supply coals at a moderate price. The failure of steam hitherto in New Zealand is mainly to be attributed to the enormous cost of coal.

3rd. Coal will be-likely to prove the forerunner of other sources of wealth to the province. We shall be able to smelt iron and copper iii close proximity to the coal beds.; Every person must be familiar to the. extent with which England's wealth is mainly to be attributed to —viz., the coal mines.

The committee who were appointed to carry out the coal and limestone exploration were exceedingly well satisfied with the reward of their day's labour on Mr. Campbell's land, by opening a seam of coal seven feet thick, with every indication of its extending a considerable distance : but the more recent discoveries, whicli have been made on Mr. Farmer's land, is beyond all expectations even of the most sanguine kind. I believe such a discovery of coal, to such an extent, and so .near the surface, is unparalleled in the history of -coal discovery. The seam that is being worked is about nine feet thick, composed of four layers, —the top layer being purely bright and equal to jet. The layers of coal are intermixed with the same number of layers of shale, from one inch to four inches in depth. Immediately under the seam of coal is a beautiful layer of fine clay, which I am informed is valuable. On the top of the seam it is somewhat different to Mr. Campbell's, being purely yellow clay ; while on the top of Mr. seam there is a sandstone easily crushed, and similar in appearance to silver sand. The seam of coal on Mr. Farmer's land dips within about two points of East; within two hundred yards from where the coal is at present worked, there is a fall of water of about 12 feet .high running over a solid mass of coal, and extending to all appearance a considerable distance. From the limited time I could spare to prospect, coupled with the unfavorable state ofthe weather, prevented any extensive search as to the extent of the seam of coal; but from the indications I saw, -I am led to believe that coal will be found in the Hunua Ranges and flats in the district; and will very probably be found on the Papakura and Kawaka flats.

The distance of land carriage from the seam on Mr. Farmer's land is about two mile 3, through a >nearly level country, and could be shipped at Slippery Creek, and transhipped at Manakau at a very small cost per ton. At a rough estimate, •coal, I believe, could be delivered at Onehunga at ,20s. per ton. I have no doubt but the seam of -coal extends to the North-East Ranges of the Hunua; if such proves to be,the case, Auckland •can be supplied with coals byway ofthe Wairoa River.

• Thecommittee meet on Monday next, at Drury, and are fully determined to carry out the explorations^ for coal and other minerals with which the .-district is known to abound. Any persons who feel interested in the opening ofthe coal-fields, are •invited to pay a personal visit to the scene of operations, a sight of which will satisfy the minds of 'those who feel any doubt upon the matter. If these few remarks will tend in anyway to promote the developing of tlie coal and limestone, it will be sufficient reward for me to think that I 'have in some slight degree assisted in carrying out 'so desirable an object.

Yours respectfully^ Edward King.

September 23,1858,

"It is not possible, as yet (says the journal -fibove quoted) to form more than an approximate opinion as to the price at .which it will presently be possible to supply the steamers in the Manukau waters. The expenses of working •the coal will of course be much greater at first, than when-.a methodical system shall have been •organised. But it is certain that a large saving to the colony will be effected in one of the -heaviest charges on the General Government—■ that of steam communication.

v Mr.; Turnbull has already engaged to , supply 100 tons at thirty shillings, for the next trip of the White Swan. English coal is* .hringing about sixty shillings, and even that, as we are informed, scarcely pays for sending out. Newcastle (Sydney) coal about thirty five shillings, alongside in Auckland -harbor.* We feel sure that we keep within the mark in stating that the Opaheke coal may presently be put on board the steamer at twenty shillings a ton. .At .a rough calculation, five shillings will take ifbem out. of the pit; six shillings more will take them to Slippery Creek, near Runciman's. The

rest is water carriage, within the harbor, to Onehunga. •» ' '

" The thickness of the seam is extraordinary, being certainly, as we are informed, not less than eight feet. In the north of England,'a two and a half feet seam is considered good, and a five feet seam is rarely seen. The tramway, from the pit to the water, will not exceed two miles in length.

" Add to this, that we shall be now falling back upon our own resources, instead of importing;—keeping in the country the greater portion of the large expenditure that is being incurred for a steam service; and that no province but Nelson, which also possesses coal, can make any further shew of claim, against Auckland, to be made the central" point of steam communication. The other four provinces are now out of the question."

It is notified in a Provincial Government Gazette of the 30th ult., that the Superintendent would meet the Provincial Council .at the General Assembly Buildings, on the 4th instant, for the purpose of opening the session. It is also notified in the same Gazelle, that Henry Matson, Esq., has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council.

On the afternoon of the 23rd a fire broke out in'a stable at the rear of the Shakespeare Tavern, in -Wyndham-strest. When discovered it could not have been long burning, and a few buckets of water were sufficient to quench it. How it originated is not known.

The following report, of a Coroner's Inquest appears in the Southern Cross of the 23rd ult.:—

The inquest on the body of' William Manery was resumed yesterday at the' Exchange Hotel, when several witnesses from Papakura were examined to give evidence respecting the injuries inflicted on the deceased hy John Croglian, on the 12th of April last at Papakura. For that savage assault it will -be remembered that Croghan was tried* and sentenced to penal servitude for six years. From the evidence taken yesterday it appears that Mr. Manery was found lying insensible in a field near Panmure, on the morning of Tnesday, the 14th instant. He had called at Brady's the evening before, on his way from Otahuhu to Mr. Knox's. He was taken to a honse at Panmure, and from there conveyed to the Provincial Hospital, where he died. A postmortem examination made by Dr. M'Gauran shewed that the skull hadbeen fractured, and an artery injured, which subsequently bursting, caused death. After hearing the evidence, which, respecting the assault, was similar to that taken on Croghan's trial, the jury retired, and after an absence of about an hour returned a verdict of murder against John Croghan, ten of the jury being for the verdict of murder, and three for one of manslaughter.