PAPERSPAST

Greer's Coalfield, Nightcaps.

REPORT BY PROFESSOR PARK

EARLY DEVELOPMENTS' ANTICIPATED.

Some time ago it was known that Mr A. Greer had struck a seam of fine coal on his property. Further prospecting, although giving good indication was not altogether conclusive, and boring was commenced, but results were disappointing. Professor Park stated Ithat all prospecting so far had been m the rock or fault area. Negotiations are afoot to acquire the property, of which about 180 acres, or two thirds of the farm, are coalbearing. It is about half a mile from Nightcaps and adjoining the main road to A Winton and Invercargill. The quality of the coal Vo far found excels anytt ing else m the district. Professor Park . visited the locality last week and made an extensive inspection of the area, being much impressed with its possibilities, his repoi t being as follows ;

The Nightcaps coal measures of miocene age rest on the bed-rock and occupy altogether about two-thirds of G leer's farm. In the wes^and north portions they are broken by faults, but on the east side are. undisturbed and dip gently toward the west branch of the Opio, where they are cut off by a fault which follows approximately the trend pf that 'stream. A seam of good brown coal, which Mr Greer informs me i.s nine feet thick, crops out m Ritchie's farm a few chains to the north of Mr Greer's boundary. The coal here has been worked by an open cast. The strike of the seam will cany it into Mr Greer's land. I am of the opinion that the seam will extend from Ritchie's boundary, parallel with the Opio, to the road which forms the south boundary of Mr Greer's prbperty, altogether a distance of 40' chains. The distance from the line of outcrop to the Opio fault s will be about; 15 chains. I should recommend the putting down of a bore-hole immediately to the south of) Ritchie's

boundary.;"j|lf the coal is intersected as it probably will be, ,two holes could then be put down at intervals of 15 chains to the southward. The coal near 'Ritchie's boundary should not be more than 50 or 60 feet deep, or even less, i.e., if the line of the outcrop is followed. The depth at -.which the seam is cut m the first hole will indicate the best positions for the other holes. If the seam maintains a thickness of nine feet, and is shown by boring on Greer's land to the south, there will be proved a basin of coal along the west branch of the Opio, some 60. acres m extent, containing about 540,000 tons of coal. There is possibly a, second seam of coal below Ritchie's seam and I should recommend putting, down the first or second borehole an additional 100 feet so: as,. to test the ground thoroughly. — (Signed) JAMES PARK. '

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