NGAKAWHAU COAL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1051, 4 March 1873, Page 2

NGAKAWHAU COAL.

The Greymouth Press is taking umbrage at remarks lately appearing in print in the Wellington and Nelson papers as to the relative value of the coal obtained in the Greymouth and Buller districts. Our contemporary the Star coaiplains of alleged statements '* more or less false being made to the disparagement of the Brunner coal " and says : —" One of these is so flagrantly untrue that we cannot help referring to it, viz., that the Kochfort or Ngakawhau coal is the superior for steam purposes. The writer of this is either profoundly ignorant of Nelson history or has set down what, to pat it mildly, is a great deviation from the truth. About six or seven years ago, (we have not the exact date, but the Provincial records will afford it) samples of coal procured from Mount Kochfort and from the Brunner were sent home and subjected to the severest aud most conelusive tests possible at Woolwich Dock-yard, when it - was shown that the Brunner for steam purposes, was much the best, though the Kochfort was very good." There is evidently in the mind of our Greymouth contemporary some little misconception, or slight haziness of ideas, as to the geographical position of the Kochfort and Ngakawhau measures. It is true they are but points iu one vast coalfield, but the Ngakawhau mine, to which public attentiou has of late been attracted, yields a coal which excels in quantity, as also in steam generating quality, any yet obtained from either the Kochfort or Brunner mines. It is not a subject to waste words on, but the following communication bears proof conclusive of this assertion : Laboratory Colonial Museum, February 24, 1873. Sir, —I have the honor to forward the result of the analysis of the coal which you kindly forwarded to the Museum from the Ngakawhau mine, and for comparison have given also the composition of a sample of the coal taken last year from the outside of the seam. You will observe that the new sample is very slightly superior, both being excellent coal. I am, &c, James Hector. Thomas Field, Esq., Westport. Analysis No. 1336, Bituminous Coal, from Ngakawhau, forwarded by Mr T. Field : Color black, streak brown, almost lustreless, structure massive, but very very fragile. Homogeneous. Burns easily, and puffs up considerably, giving a very porous and fragile. coke Color of ash white. Is similar to that from same place, No. 1249, received last year. APPROXIMATE COMPOSITION. New Sample. Old Sample. Water ... -51 ... 231 Fixed Carbon 7321 ... 71-16 Hydro Carbon 25-00 ... 25-75 Ash 1-28 ... -78

100 00 ... 100-00 Evaporative or steam power: New sample, In explanation it should be said the old sample was taken from the mouth of the mine, and the new sample from the 20 feet scam now worked 150 feet in from the mouth of the tunnel.

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