E.—9

17

Ft. in. o ~ CSurface, fine Grits ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 t\t <?<? \ Soft Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 Na6B(Coal 14 0 54 0 Dip S.W. 10°, resting upon blaze. In bed of creek, the coal from this point continues improving in quality and thickness east, till meeting with face of Cascade Break, where sections of coal show thus : — Ft. in. ("Fine Grits ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 a ~ Dark Sandstone ... ... ... ...■ ... 10 0 section i -d, on -* im JA | Sandstone Grits 15 0 LCoal 16 0 pq *■ £ 56 0 « ] Dip N.E. 10°, resting upon grey stone and slate. ° Ft. in. 'S fFine Grits ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 0 © Soft fine Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 40 Section , Coal ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 s No. 73. 1 Dark Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 "White Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 14 0 LCoal 18 0 69 0 Dip N. to N.E. 10°, resting upon dark grey sandstone. The coal, as may be observed from the foregoing sections, is in some places shaken, and in a few blind ; but where it commences to basin as at Nos. 62, 63, and 65, the coal is of superior quality, clear, hard, and light, burns freely, and cokes with a remarkably light and hard coke. Near the centre of the area the coal holds a thickness of about 8 feet, but towards Cascade Break thickens out to 18 feet lower seam, while that of the upper holds a thickness of 5 feet, being both very superior in quality. Mre Clay, as may be noticed, of three inches in thickness (underestimated), shows itself in roof of section No. 65, which layer was only noticeable from the clear section obtained, which, I have no doubt, continues throughout the entire area. Plateau, (Boclifori). —This area being as yet only partially explored, my success so far being in seeing a few sections of coal along the banks of Waimangaroa Eiver (which were only noticeable by looking over precipice). In the centre of this area the measures are cut by two slate ridges, covering a considerable extent of the surface, from which the grits appear to make, and dip steadily N.W., W., and S.W. towards brink of plateau, a few outcrops being in places noticed on surface. For the successful working of this area, it will be best undertaken by working from the low country up, under, and on to plateau, by which I shall be best able to come at a definite decision regarding the area previously mentioned; which work has already been sanctioned to be undertaken during the present winter months. High Levels (Roclifort). —Those heights confined to that area of country situated south of river Whareatea, and reaching up the N.E.,N., and N.W. slopes of mount on to summit. The exploring of this area I have worked from the dip of the measures Coalbrookdale and up the heights towards crops, showing as follows:— • Ft. in. Surface,fine Grits ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 ~ ~ Soft Sandstone, dark ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 section Til in ™- n iio Blaze ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 0 Coal, upper ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Blaze ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 45 0 Dip N. 10°, resting upon dark sandstone in bed of creek. Ft. in. (-Surface ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 Section) Blaze ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 No. 97. i Fine Grits ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 I Dark flaky Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 24 0 48 0 Dip N.W. B°, resting upon grits, fine. Ft.- in. Soft Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 a ,• Blaze ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 0 Section ,-, , n a No 102 Coal ° 6 x\O. Wl. g 0 Dark flaky Sandstone ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 34 6 Dip N.E. 12°.