An Interesting Coal Test.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5001, 22 January 1885, Page 2

An Interesting Coal Test.

An interesting statement was submitted to the Auckland Harbour Board at its meeting on Tuesday afternoon, giving the relative value of several samples of coal tested at the Auckland Graving Dock. Accompanying it was the information that the engine-driver in charge of the No. 2 Priestman had had over seven years' experience in using coal for steam purposes, and he informed him that he could obtain the best results by using Bay of Islands coal. The test, which was made by Mr Thomas Stephenson, was as follows:—

Whau.Whau Coal —4 tonslcwt. 2qrs. maintained two pumps 7 hours and the drain pumps 13 hours and 15 minutes, and kept up the fires in one boiler 7 days; 14cwt. maintained 30 horse power 2 hours, 25 minutes, i c., pumped out the Dock.

Taupiei C0a1.~4 tons maintained 2 main pumps 4 hours 30 minntes, and the drain pump, 28 hours 10 minutes, and kept up fires in one boiler 12 days. No test in pumping out Dock right on.

Kamo Coal.—6 tons 7cwt. lqr. maintained two main pumps 18 hours, and the drain pumps 17 hours, and kept up the fires in one boiler 8 days. 13|cwt. main* tamed 30 horse-power 2 hours 20 minutes; that is, pumped out the Dock.

Bay of Islands Coal.—l2^ cwt, maintained 30 horse-power 2 hours 35 minutes ; that is, pumped out the dock with a vessel of 75 tons register. The Bay of Islands coal is the best for our use, as the fires hang on so long. They are half-banked upall the time a vessel is in after the dock is pumped out. —Thos. Stephenson.