E.—l

95

Outcrops can be traced from here along the face of the break, with a thickness of about 5 feet, until reaching a point below V. 17, after which the coal gradually thickens until reaching into the area held by the Coalbrookdale Company, where an outcrop of good hard coal is met with, in a creek falling into the south branch of the Waimangaroa Eiver, 12 feet in thickness and the bottom not showing. From this it will be seen that coal may be traced along the northern boundary of the lease of an average thickness of not less than 5 feet, and which improves in character when driven on, but is somewhat inferior at the outcrop. With regard to the width of the coal in this area no exact calculations can be made, but as the slate boundary shown on the maps, running from a point a few chains to the southward of V. 19 in an easterly direction, is perfectly correct, and the measures for some chains from there towards the face of the coal overlooking the Waimangaroa Eiver are considerably contorted, I think the boundary of the coal shown on the maps from which the tracing sent to Mr. Fisher was taken includes the whole area which could be laid dow m with certainty as containing coal which could be worked; although it is probable that a slightly greater area might exist. Calculating this coal area, then, as holding coal of an average thickness of 5 feet, and extending through tho lease with an average width of 15 chains, which is as much as could be allowed with any prospect of correct results, from the first drive to the eastern boundary of the lease, a distance of 80 chains, a return of 450,000 tons of coal might be looked for, after allowing 25 per cent, for waste. Whether this would warrant Messrs. Fisher and Co. in opening up their mine is a matter for their private consideration. They have an excellent approach to the mine, which would be readily worked; and careful estimates, which have been prepared for them by Mr. Toung, of the cost of constructing a tramway to connect their face of coal with the branch lino of the Wellington Company, exclusive of rolling stock, shows that a sum of £12,000 would complete this work. Putting the mine into working order would be neither a long nor an expensive undertaking, as some returns would be coming in before much had been spent on the mine, the position of the coal being such as to allow of quick returns to any outlay on the mine, without endangering the subsequent workings. One great object would be attained by opening up this area —namely, that it would be the key to much of the back country, to open which, at present, would involve a very considerable outlay; so that could Messrs. Fisher and Co. see a fair return for their money from the area which they at present hold, I think that subsequently the fact of that area being opened up would prove of considerable value. I saw some of the coal from Messrs. Fisher and Co.'s lease tried in the blacksmith's forge while I was in Westport with most satisfactory results, a good welding heat being obtained from coal brought from the outcrop. I have, Ac, S. Heebeet Cox.

lclosure '. 4. 'able showing ises of orki: ;c, in vario :S Nl 3w Zeala: l<1 Collieries, from Actual Eeturns. Ixpe; «. Name of Colliery. a Description of Coal. m B .s I i o 3 o en System of Work. si ¥ gs g I 111 J lOSt8. I" 1 Remarks. I Green Island Districi — Otago Colliery ... ; Freeman's Colliery ... Samson's Colliery Walton Park Colliery Saddle Ilill Colliery... I 'ears 3 7 2 Brown II Feet. 16 16 18 18 18 Tons. 6,516 27,000 71,000 14,000 Room and ranee i> >i Feet. 6 6 6 6 to 8 6to7 Tons. 2 to 2} i> 9 13 18 41 9 s.d. 4 6 4 6 4 0 4 6 ■1 6 s. d.'s. d. 3 101 0 3 6j ... !3 101 0 !3 61 9 3 6 ... I 3 00 8 Decliued to give output. Slack thrown to waste. ; Slack thrown to waste. it f] M II Xaitangata District — Kaitangata Colliery... Pitch 27 10,000 i> >> 8 3 to 4 81ack, part sold, remainder thrown to waste. 41 3 g Westland DMrict— Brunner Colliery ... < Coal Pit Heath Colliery Greymouth Colliery.,. Bituminous 18 18 Stoop and room 4 to 6 2 9 Slack U3ed for coke. p o ... I ! 1 0 ... i 1 6 ... I | 3 6 ... Not yet on coal. Waikaio District— Kupakupa Colliery ... Ralph's Colliery Bridgewater Colliery Brown 18 36 54 Post and stall 18 18 18 4 to 6 4 to 5 4 to 5 3 2 3 0 3 0 Slack thrown to waste. u M 1) M >> Wanqarei District — Walton's Colliery ... Kamo Colliery Pitch 10 n Stoop and room 10 12 4 to 5 4 to 5 2 6 2 3 II II N ii ii Say of Islands District — Kawakawa Colliery ... Glance 12 ii ii 12 3 to 4 Greater part of alack sold. 4 2