PROPOSED STATE COLLIERY: REPORTS BY MESSRS. GORDON, McKAY, HAYES, AND JAMIESON ON COAL AREAS IN THE WESTPORT CARDIFF COLLIERY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1901 Session I, C-09

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1901. NEW ZEALAND.

PROPOSED STATE COLLIERY: REPORTS BY MESSRS. GORDON, McKAY, HAYES, AND JAMIESON ON COAL AREAS IN THE WESTPORT CARDIFF COLLIERY.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sik,— Seddonville, 28th August, 1901. He Proposed State colliery : In accordance with instructions (dated 13th instant) to visit and report on several coal areas comprised within the West Coast Coalfields with the object of selecting a site for a colliery for Government purposes, we have now the honour to submit the following report on the property recently held by the Westport Cardiff Coal Company (Limited): — WBSTPOET CARDIFF COLLIERY. This mine has been idle for nearly two years. The two working sections comprised what were known as (a) the North and Hector blocks and (b) the Bridge section. The latter is situated on the west side of and separated from the former by the deep gorge of Chasm Creek. For haulage purposes, Chasm Creek was spanned by a bridge. The coal in the North and Hector blocks is practically exhausted, the coal unworked being little more than was necessary for the support of the haulage-road which had to be maintained through this section of the property as an outlet for the coal mined in the Bridge section. It was from this latter section that the late company obtained its supply at the time when operations ceased. So far as opened out, the Bridge section proved to be very much disturbed, and the greater bulk of the coal was very soft and friable. At the end of January, 1900—some months after the Company ceased work —it was discovered that the Hector block workings were on fire. This fire has cut off the means of haulage from the Bridge section. Had this misfortune not occurred, it would have been practicable and desirable to have extracted the pillar coal now standing on the Bridge section for the requirements of the Government service, but, under existing conditions, we do not consider the coal in this part of the property worth the heavy expense which the construction of a new haulage-road to it would entail. Between the North block and the Hector block there is a small unworked area of coal described by the former management and shown on the colliery plan as " soft and faulted." Considering the accessibility of this area to the main haulage-road, the very fact of the late company leaving it unworked speaks for itself as to the non-commercial character of the coal; and, as this area is now blocked off by the dam, which had to be erected in order to flood the mine in consequence of the fire, it is unavailable at present, and may be dismissed from practical considerations. The position of this faulted area, and of the previously-worked portions of the mine, may be summed up as not possessing potentialities of any importance, nor to warrant any expenditure in reopening them. Before finally leaving the consideration of previous workings, we wish to draw attention to the fact that there are a few falls of roof-coal in the Bridge section. These are being carefully watched by the caretaker, but so far no signs of heating have shown. So long as the conditions are as they now exist, little or no danger is to be apprehended, but if the place were abandoned entirely, there is a possibility of fire breaking out. To minimise this risk, we are of opinion that it is desirable that the several openings should be sealed up by good stoppings, so as to prevent the circulation of air through these workings, which would then be likely to fill with carbon di-oxide or black damp. This gas will not support combustion.

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Cαvb Area (Westport Caediff Mine). Our next consideration is that of the partially-prospected portion of the property known as the Cave area. From outcrops and boreholes we find this has a gross area of (approximately) 250 acres likely to be coal-bearing; but as there is evidence of " faulting " within this area, and some likelihood of disturbances—soft and thin coal—we have, for the purposes of calculation, made such most liberal deductions, both from the area and the average observed and recorded thicknesses, as will justify us in expressing the opinion that at the very lowest estimate at least 1,000,000 tons should be extracted, whilst there is also the reasonable expectation that this tonnage may be very materially exceeded. A survey line of proposed tramway to the Cave area was cut through the bush by the late company, but no detailed sections appear to have been made. In the absence of these, we are not able to give an accurate estimate of the cost of the work ; but, from a general inspection of the ground, and consideration of working requirements, we are of opinion that, with judicious management, a capital expenditure of £15,000, or thereabouts, should open up and equip an endlessrope tramway, provide the additional trucks required, and put into working order the plant and railway-sidings now idle. Some of the plant (and especially the trucks) shows signs of considerable depreciation. Taking the minimum of 1,000,000 tons, an output of 70,000 tons per annum would give a working-life of over fourteen years, a royalty (of 6d. per ton) amounting to £1,750 per annum, and, assuming a profit of 6d. per ton, an annual profit of £1,750, or over 11 per cent, on the capital now required to be expended. Before the expenditure above named is incurred, we think it would be wise to further prospect the area as follows :— (1.) Sink a small trial-shaft at or near No. 1 borehole (depth about 50 ft.), and another at or near No. 5 borehole (depth about 45 ft.). (2.) Drive a small tunnel (commencing in the coal near Grant's Face on the line of proposed tramway) for a distance of about 15 chains. An alternative to this would be to put down a series of diamond-drill boreholes on the line of proposed tramway (which would here be underground) between Grant's Face and No. 7 borehole. The foregoing works would prove the quality, character, and dip of the coal, and also the existence or otherwise of troubled ground north of Grant's Face, which surface-appearances appear to indicate. (3.) One or more boreholes should be put down between No. 4 and No. 7 boreholes, owing to the evidences of a " fault" occurring between these points. The value of this bore would be to locate the level at which the proposed tram-line would cut the coal. The cost of these prospecting works we approximately estimate at £1,000. Probable Extension from the Cave Area. On the opposite (or south-west) side of Chasm Creek there is a plateau which we consider may be reasonably expected to be coal-bearing over an area of (approximately) 200 acres. By bridging Chasm Creek in such a position as mining developments may prove to be most suitable, this area could be won by an extension of the tramway already proposed for opening out the Cave area, and we recommend that a series of diamond-drill bores be put down on this part of the property concurrently with the opening-out of the Cave area, in the event of this being decided upon. Prospects in othjer Portions of the Westpobt Cardiff Lease. The line of proposed tramway to the Cave area crosses barren ground for, say, the first 30 chains, or thereabouts, from where it leaves the existing incline-tramway. Beyond this the coalmeasures appear, and we are of opinion that it would be advisable to put down a few bores along the line of proposed tramway on the upper flat, between points marked C and D. So far as that area, described on the plan as the " lower flat," is concerned, any coal which may probably exist below this and the adjoining portion (outside the leasehold) of Seddonville Flat could only be won by sinking shafts. The dip, so far as can be seen, is about 1 in 3. Assuming the existence of coal being proved by boring, the rate of dip would necessitate somewhat deep shafts to command anything like a useful area of ground; and, in view of the expense of opening out a colliery on this flat in proportion to the probable available area, we do not recommend costly works being undertaken to develop this section of the property. Areas in the Neighbourhood of Westport Cardiff Collieky. (1.) Area north-east of the old or lower Mokihinui Lease. — An outcrop of coal appears on the north-east bank of the Mokihinui Eiver, and adjacent to its confluence with Chasm Creek. Some years ago mining was carried on here to a limited extent, but on encountering a fault to the dip> work was suspended. The dip in this locality is very steep (approximately lin 2), and to obtain anything like an area of value, sinking would have to be very deep. The high angle of the seams would also materially increase the cost of working; therefore we do not recommend expenditure here in the meantime. We followed the new Karamea Eoad, along Stillwater Creek, to the eastern boundary of the field, where granite appears, but did not discover anything to warrant any recommendation. (2.) Upper Part of Seddonville Flat. —Evidences above the upper schoolhouse and between the two railway-bridges which span Coal Creek lead us to consider that the Hut seam would be got at a moderate depth. The dip of the measures is also favourable for working advantageously. We recommend that boring should be undertaken, the bores commencing at some convenient. place where the micaceous sandstones appear on the surface.

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Plant at Westport Caedipf Mine. A schedule of this is attached, showing estimated value as for a going concern. We have, &c, Henry A. Gordon. Alex. McKay. John Hayes. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Adam Jamieson.

Estimated Value of Plant, Cardiff Mine. £ s. d. Small multitubular boiler, 3 ft. 6 in. diameter, 7 ft. 8 in. long ... ... ... 100 0 0 Small vertical steam-engine, 9 in. cylinder, 8 in. stroke ... ... ... 60 0 0 Double inlet-fan ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 0 0 Small office, at mouth of old mine ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 Two-roomed cottage .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Multitubular boiler, 6 ft. 6 in. diameter, 13 ft. long, built in, &c.; working-pressure, 100 lb. per square inch ... ... ... ... ... ... 450 (I 0 Winding-engine, with foundations and gearing ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Iron tanks, 400 gallons (seven at £3) ... ... ... ... ... 21 0 0 Winding-pulleys, 9ft. diameter, axles and framing (two at £30)... ... ... 60 0 0 Worthington feed-pump and connections ... ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 Punching- and shearing-machine ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Anvils (44 cwt. at £1 Bs.) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 6 0 Swedge-block ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 Eiveting-forge ... . v ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 Smiths'forges (two at £1) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 Smiths'bellows, 39 in., 32 in., 18 in. (three at £2 10s.) ... ... ... 7 10 0 Bending-rollers, 4ft. gap ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 0 0 Vices (two at £1 55.) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 10 0 Truck-wheels and axles (nine sets at £2 55.) ... ... ... ... ... 20 5 0 Barbed wire (6 cwt. at 125.) ... ... .'.. ... ... ... 3 12 0 Terminal wheel, with axle and brake-wheel 9ft. diameter ... ... ... 45 0 0 Pulleys, 4 ft. diameter (thirteen at £4) ... ... ... ... ... 52 0 0 3ft. „ (four at £2 10s.) ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Brake-wheel, 6ft. diameter ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 0 Small pulleys, lft. 9 in. diameter (five at 155.) ... ... ... ... 3 15 0 500 ft. boring-rods, with chisel tools (lump-sum) ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Angle-iron, 3|-in. (0-37 ton at £15) ... ... ... ... ... ... 511 0 Bar-iron ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Galvanized-iron pipes, 3in. diameter, 18ft. long (198 ft. at 2s. 6d.) ... ... 24 15 0 Cast-iron pipes, 47 5 in. diameter, 9ft. long (4-J- tons at £12) ... ... ... 54 0 0 Tubs, in fair and medium order (205 at £4) ... ... ... ... ... 820 0 0 „ damaged and greatly worn (twelve at £2) ... ... ... ... 24 0 0 Tongued-and-grooved timber, previously used (20 C.B.M. at 65.) ... ... 6 0 0 Dogs for rails (5 cwt. at £1 55.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 5 0 Horse-nails (141b. at 6d.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 7 0 Bolts and coach-screws (10 cwt. at £1 Bs.) ... ... ... ... ... 14 0 0 Nails (5 cwt. at £1 55.) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 5 0 Clip and jig-chains (7 tons at £25) ... ... ... ... ... ... 175 0 0 Stockholm tar (three barrels at £1 10s.) ... ... ... ... ... 4 10 0 Flat-sheets —Twenty-five 7 ft. by 3ft. by -Jin., seventeen 7 ft. by 3 ft. by Jin., sixteen 7 ft. by 3 ft. by fin. (5 tons at £12) ... ... ... ... ... 60 0 0 Boilers, 10 in. diameter, 7in. face (126 at 125.) ... ... ... ... 75 12 0 Large shears (two at £1 155.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 10 0 Eeel of new 4|in. steel rope (2 tons at £54) ... ... ... ... ... 108 0 0 Steel rope, 41 in., 9,240 ft. long (12 tons at £45) ... ... ... ... 540 0 0 Flexible steel rope, liin., 200 ft. (50lbs. at 6d.) ... ... ... ... 15 0 Seagar's rope-driven pump, 8 in. cylinder ... . ... ... ... ... 60 0 0 6in. ' „ ... ... ... ... ... 40 0 0 Small Tangye pumps, damaged (three at £20) ... ... ... ... 60 0 0 Single-action crab-winch ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 0 Double-cylinder steam-winch, 5 in. cylinders ... ... ... ... ... 40 0 0 Steam friction-winch ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40 0 0 Union screw ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 Pulley-blocks—iron (six sets at £3) ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 Lightening saws (four at 10s.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 Small stove ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 Gaspipe, fin. (700 ft. at 4d.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 1113 4 Gaspipe, 2 in., old (1,320 ft. at Is.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 66 0 0 Lubricating oil, 6 cases (48 gallons at Is. 4d.) ... ... ... ... 340 Window and frame, sft. 6 in. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 Stocks and dies (three sets at £2 10s.) ... ... ... ... ... 7 10 0 Antifriction grease ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 17 6

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Estimated Value of Plant, etc. — continued. £ s. d. Clout tacks (2 cwt. at £1 Bs.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 16 0 Copper wire (125 lb. at Is. 6d.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 7 6 Eivetsfor tubs (lOcwt. at £1 55.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 10 0 Patent axle-greasers (two at £1 ss. each) ... ... ... ... ... 210 0 Pump, double (hand-power) ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 Guides on flat-sheets, 1 J in. square (5 tons at £12) ... ... ... ... 600 Rails—246 18 ft. long, 18 lb. to the yard (llf tons at £9) ... ... ... 105 15 0 1,559 12 ft. long, 15 lb. to the yard (41 J tons at £9) ... ... ... 371 5 0 Eight 21 ft. long, 15 lb. to the yard (37 tons at £9) ... ... ... 367 498 i (old), 24ft. long, 401b. to the yard (71 tons at £4) ... ... ... 284 0 0 Bins, holding 1,000 tons, with flat-sheets, rails, tumblers, and roof-covering ... 625 0 0 Eailway-siding—63 chains single line, damaged ... ... ... ... 1,500 0 0 Buildings near bins ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 Manager's residence and outhouses ... ... ... ... ... .... 250 0 0 £7,516 2 11 Note.—This estimate is what the plant is worth on the ground for working the mine, but it would not bring the same amount if sold at auction.

By Authority: John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ol. Price 3d.]