THE KAKAHU COAL MINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1918, 18 July 1889, Page 3

THE KAKAHU COAL MINE.

(By Our Special Keporteh). Probably very few indeed of the forge numbers who read the advertisement that the Kakahn coal is again in the market have any ides as to where the coal is obtained, and consequently a description of the mine may be of interest. The coal is got from the hillside on the cross road leading from the Kakahn Bush road to the Gapes’ Valley road, The face of the hill is but two or three chains from the road, and the mouth of the tunnel is plainly visible from it. The spot is on the Bon. T. Wigley’s run, about four miles from the Hilton township, and about two miles from Gapes’ Valley. Anyone wishing to see the mine for themselves could find it with ease. The mine was opened some years ago, and a considerable quantity of coal taken out. At that lime Mr Cliff, of Tiraaru, owned the property, and Mr Doke, who was then working the mine, not having had a proper agreement drawn up, the failure of Mr Cliff caused the workings to be abandoned. Mr Duke, however, has hod his eye upon the spot ever since, and h«s now come back with the determination, if possible, to make the thing " hum,” and to do his best for the district. The present workings are a few feet to the right of the old ones, and the latter are being used by means of a cross drive for the purpose of ventilation, The main drive is in about a chain »nd a half, and a small tramway inns from the face to the tip. At the nnicrnp the seam of coal was 2ft 4mu iu thickness. It hss now increased to 3ft sin, and is dipping considerably, Mr Duka states i that a nicer seam of coal than 3ft sin he . would not ask to work in, and that he worked for years in the Old Country in a s>'ara 2ft Gin thick. It may be mentioned here that Mr Duke has worked in coal mines for the last 29 years, and holds"a mine manager’s certificate both for the Old Country and New Zealand, fle has lately been manager of the Mount Somers mine and left it to open the Kakahu seam, To return to the latter. Above the present seam Mr Duke states there is another thicker one, which he hopes to out into when about two chains further in. At present ho is engaged in laying what is known »s a *

“ flat slici‘l ” about six feet from the face, and intends to put in two drives, running north »nd smnh respectively. On the sou'll side Mr Duk« expects to get about ten acres of coai, while on the nm-th he expects to have fifty acres or i mrre to work out. The present workings arc some 15 or 20 feet above the level of the small creek that runs near to the face of the cliff, and are very dry and comfortable. Mr Duke thinks that another seam of far greater thickness could be obtained below the level of the water, but that would require an outlay on pumping machinery to keep down the water. The quality of the coal obtained so far is that of lignite, containing a large quantify of gas, also soda and saltpetre. Unlike most lignite, however, it burns the better for being well stirred, and is especially adapted for open grates. It burns completely out, and there is no danger from the ashes. Mr Duke considers the coal very superior, and intends to endeavor to push the sale of it in the Ashburton district. The bill through which the seam runs is of sandstone formation, both white and red, which forms a splendid roof, needing little or no timbering, and is also very dry. Mr Duke intends to start, lime-burning with the small coal from the mine, which he states is suited to the purpose. A splendid sample of limstone has been found, and a good market for this should be found. It may be mentioned that at Mount Somers the burners can hardly keep pace with the demand, hie will use the old lima kiln which was used some years ago. A tramway has been constructed by the Ashburton County Conncil from the Mount Somers mine for the conveyance of the coal and lime, and for the use of this tramway the council receive on annual rental of £212. Nothing else but the lime and coai is brought down this tramway, as there is not a settler’s house on the line, and everything goes through the hands of the mine-holder, Mr Duke hopes some day to see a similar line constructed to K«k«ho, H? considers that such a line would bring an annual rental of £3OO, as not only would there be lime and coal, but also farm produce, fireclay, firewood, etc., to be conveyeyed by it. Such a tramway would not cost as much to construct as the Mount Somers line as the country here is level and the line could run by the roadside,as there. At present Mr Duke has an offer to convey the coal to Winchester by road at 6s per ton. He evidently intends to try and make the mine turn out a success and his answer to visitors who express their good wishes is “ Send your drays or leave your order forcoafand it will turn out a success.” This is a fact the settlers in that and the surrounding district should realize. Mr Duke says the quality of the seam he is working is improving daily, and he confidently believes it will continue to do so. We wish Mr Duke every success.