KAKAHU MINERALS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1359, 30 June 1885, Page 3

KAKAHU MINERALS.

A meeting was held in Mr Ash well's office, Temuka, yesterday, to consider what steps to take with regard to ascertaining the quality and quantity of coal and other minerals in theKakahu district, Mr John Talbot occupied the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. There was no doubt but that minerals were to bo found in the district, and the intention was to test the place. If they found it would pay to work them, a branch railway could be made there. Even as an agricultural district he believed the railway would have a good chance, of paying. He called on Mr R. A.Barker, who had convened the meeting, to state his views.

Mr Barker said he was informed on most reliable authority that good coal could be got at Kakahu at a depth of 200 feet. His idea was to raise sufficient capital to test it, and, if successful, float a company. The Government had no control of the boring-rods; they only subsidised them, and consequently could not let them, He bad received letters from the Springfield Coal Mining Company which he would read. Mr Barker then read two letters from the Company. One offering to let on hire a diamond drill at

£1 per foot of the hole bored j and another offering an r ordinary boring-rod at £2 per week. - r ’ v The offer contained in the second letter was considered the most reasonable one. Mr Barker also read the following letter

“ Road Board Office, “ Geraldine, June 23, 1886. “To R. A. Barker, Esq, Orari. « Sie, —I am in receipt of your circular re developing the mineral resources of the Kakahu district. I may state that 1 know the district well, and the oftener I visit it the more certain I am of the mines of undeveloped wealth that lie buried there ; but it will require capital to bring it to the surface, and, unfortunately, the land has fallen into the hands of persons who, judging from the past, will do little lo open it up, and render the various mines productive. In my opinion, to bore for coal would not be the proper way of proceeding. My reasons are : the flats, or level ground, are full of water at no great distance below the surface, and, even granted you struck good coal, it would cost 100 much to keep the water down and bring it to the surface. You would not be able to compete with the dry mines. Besides, there is no necessity to resort to the expensive process of boring, when the scams can easily be found above the water level. (I can point out two on Mr Wigley’a property.) I think the proper, and certainly cheapest, system would be to put in narrow cross drives in the hills, where the seams can be seen above the water level. If good coal were found, it could then be worked very economically ; and without economy you cannot compete with the mines already at work at Westport, Grey, and Kaitangata. There is also pottery clay, fire clay, ganister, limestone, and other valuable products in the same neighborhood, which can be much more easily worked than coal—abous the quality of which I have doubts. Before subscribing I should like to know what Messrs Studholme, Banks and Wigley would contribute. As they are the owners of 13,500 acres of land in this neighborhood, and own the major portion of the land on which the minerals exist, consequently they ought to be the principal contributors to any fund which may be raised. If possible, I will attend the meeting : if I cannot attend, I shall be pleased to go over the ground with any Committee that may be appointed and point out all the places, and give them all the information I am possessed of. I append a list of where minerals can be found: —Cool on sections numbered 7012, 34219, 33939 on Messrs Studholme, Banks and Wigley’s j Fire Clay on sections 24541, 34219, 25501—0 n Messrs Studholme, Banks and Wigley and Uunro’s; Pottery Clay on Reserve 1215 ; Limestone on sectiona 18138, 13611, and Reserve 1212—0 n Messrs R. A. Barker and others; also Ganister and other valuable deposits on various sections.

“William Seiem” A long conversation then toou place, as to where coal was most likely to be got. Messrs Barker and Kelland urged that the best places to test were the flats, while Messrs Shiers and Postletliwaite thought the best plan would be to drive into the mountains at certain spots where indications of coal were to be found. On the motion of Mr Twomey, seconded by Mr Barker, the following resolution was agreed to—“ That i n the opinion cf this meeting it is desirable to thoroughly lest the Kakahu district with a view of ascertaining the quality of the coal and other minerals known to exist there,” Mr Barkersaid thatabout £SO had already been promised as subscriptions towards testing it, and ho felt confident £IOO could be raised. That sum he thought would be sufficient.

Mr . Shiers was in favor of having a scientific survey made of the district and moved—“ That the Minister of Mines be respectfully requested to have a geological survey made and a report furnished by a competent person on the quality of the coal, pottery clay, fire clay, limestone, and other mineral products found in the Kakahu district.”

Mr R. H. Postlethwaite seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. The Chairman was authorised to forward this resolution to the Minister of Mines, and to ask the Hon. Mr Rolleston and the Hon. Mr Wigley to use their influence to get a geological survey made of the district.

The meeting terminated with the usual compliment to the Chairman.