RALPH'S COAL MINE.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 327, 13 August 1898, Page 2

RALPH'S COAL MINE.

I.n response to an iuvitation from the directors of Ralph's Goal Mining Company (Limited), a representative of The Argus visited Huntly on Thursday for the purpose of accompan}'iug the directors in their official inspection of the mine anri property. The train from .Auckland brought Mr E. W. Alison, the Chairman of Directors, Mr W. J. Balph, Managing Director, and Mr M. A. Phillips, the Secretary of the Company. The train arrived shortly after one o'clock, and the party, which included the above and five press representatives, proceeded to the mouth of the pit, descended to the 173 feet level, and immediately commenced the inspection of the mine, under the guidance of the genial and capable manager, Mr T. Snow, who was assisted by Air W. J. Ralph in explaining the workings and plans for the future, development of the property. We were agreeably surprised to find how little water there was in the mine. At a distance of about seven chains from the shaft is the main heading, which was fully manned, and the quality of the coal being gained left nothing to be desired. This head is four chains under the Waikato river, and it is proposed to continue the drive until the main coal-field is reached. The seam of coal is 70ft. thick, and, by boring, it is ascertained that the bed extends over nearly the whole property, which consists of 2000 acres. It is hardly necessary, therefore, to say that the deposit is practically inexhaustible. The quality of the coal is very highclass, and there appeared to be no variation in its quality at any of the faces being worked ; these vary from Sft. x 14ft. to 14ft. x 10ft. As the seam dips at an angle of 1 in 12 there is every reason to expect that the qudity of the coal will improve as the working progresses. This dip brings the main heading below the foot of the shaft, and to avoid the consequent haulage, the shaft is to he sunk to the 200 feet level, and a drive is in progress to allow of the skids, being brought direct to the cages for lifting to the surface. There is every reason to anticipate a great future for this mine. The supply of coal, as we wrote above, is practically inexhaustible. It cau be worked as cheaply as any mine in the world, and the shaft is situated between the railway and a navigable river, only a few hundred yards separating the two. The company is now erecting a wharf to facilitate the shipment of the coal on barges and steamers. The railway trucks are filled from the skids, and are drawn to the main line by a horse, a distance of only a few yards. Before leaving the miue the company was photographed by means of a flash light, and on returning to the surface proceeded to the Huntly Hotel, where the host and hostess (Mr and Mrs Harris) had a sumptuous repast ready spread in the fine diningroom. Mr E. W. Alison occupied the chair, and after luncheon proposed the toast " Success to Ralph's Taupiri Mine," coupled with the name of the managing director. In speaking to the toast, Mr Alison said that the inspection of the mine, the immense seam of coal and its good and even quality must have satisfied all that the prospects of the company were excellent. He spoke very highly of the capacity and assiduity of the officials of the company, Mr Ralph, the Mauaging Director, Mr Phillips, the Secretary, and Mr Snow, the Manager. The toast, was drunk with musical honours. Mr W. J. Ralph, in responding, said that the visit of the party had afforded him much pleasure, as they had had a practical demonstration of the immense quantity of coal available, and this opinion would be a complete refutation of the statements which luulffecu industriously circulated that the quantity of coal was verv limited. In conuection with the operations Mr R. Ralph and Mr Snow had rendered most valuable services, The health of the host and hostesswas given fiom the chair and cordially drunk. Mr Harris returned thanks. The time having nearly arrived for the departure of the train for Auckland, the proceedings terminated.