OHURA COAL MEASURES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

OHURA COAL MEASURES.

The geological survey recently made in the Tangarakau-Ohura district by members of the staff of the Mines Department in order to ascertain the extent of the coal measures in that area, has resulted in a report that defines the extent of the coal seams, and accurately locates them on a map. Some disappointment will be felt at the conclusions arrived at by the geological expert, inasmuch as he holds out no prospect of there being sufficient coal to justify other than small mines for supplying local requirements. There appear to be a large number of seams which thin out to almost nothing, hence they cannot Le worked profitably. In the aggregate,

no doubt, there is a very considerable quantity of coal over the TangarakaiL Gorge, Tatu and Ohura, but the really important field appears to be located near VVaitewhena, north of Ohura, and it is probably in that district the coal measures will be opened up. Meanwhile it may be worth while for the settlers in the district to make the best use possible of the outcrops, many of which were previously unknown but are now accurately located. That the survey was thoroughly justified is evident by the report, for, besides establishing the general nature and extent of the coal measures, materials have been obtained for a good topographical and geological map of the area examined, while the search for coal has brought to light the existence in several places of thick, though variable, bands of conglomerate, which will form good road-making material, the need for which is very great. Apparently the survey was very thorough, yet it may, at some future date, be found that far larger coal beds exist in the district than have at present been discovered, and if the residents in the area in question turn the known coal to good account it may prove of great value. In these days every little helps, and it is quite possible that some ol the uses to which this fuel can be put may prove an appreciable factor in furthering the prosperity of the farmers. It may even justify a plant for generating electric current, a boon that would be of great value in the backblocks.