WEST COAST COAL MINES. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 26

WEST COAST COAL MINES. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

GREYMOUTH. November 28.

A fine seam of coal has been struck in the Brainier coal bore at a depth of 470fc below the present work'ng?. The discovery is considered to ba one of great importance-, and practically gives the mine o fresh lease of life. There is great rejoicing ai Brunner in consequence.

It is understood in town to-day that the Government have practically closed upon the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth and Coal Creek mine. This is understood to be the first step towards taking over the same, and working- it a* a State mine. It is reported the action givos -the greatest satisfaction here.

The Premier informed Mr Guinness, M.H.1l , that the terms offered by the Blackball Coal Company for the construction of a bridge across the Grey River and two and a-half miles of railway to the pit's mouth were virtually accepted, subject to tha rates for hauling coal over the proposed two- and a-half miles of railway — viz., threepence per ton, <a6put what is usually charged by the Government over a similar distance. Sir J. G. Ward and Mr HallJones are to inquire into the matter, and make final arrangements with the company for haulage rates, and also to settle the terms of the guarantee bond. Dixectiv these arrangements are completed the necessary preliminaries for calling tendess will be proceeded with immediately. One of the conditions offered by the company is to send all its coal output over the proposed bridge and railway, guaranteeing to pay threepence per ton on 120,000 tons of coal per annum, for seven, years, which is equaj. to £1500 per annu%,. .-- -

GREYMOUTH, November 28. Mr Allison, manager of the Brunner mine, has received official notification, from the Government that they will take possession of the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth and Coal Creek railway. The conditions of agreement have not been complied with, and the Government refused further concessions.

The Franco-German war cost 316 millions per annum ; the United States civil war, 350 millions. From Westport last week 8511 tons of coal were shipped, of which 8196 came from the Wesfcporb Coal Company's mine and 314- tons from the Co-operative Company's mine. Owing to throe horses attached to a reaping machine bolting at Sale (Victoria) on the 19th ult. a man named Simmons was knocked down and fell uncjer the machine, He was ripped to pieces. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children. Settlement is making splendid progress in the Mangatu (Poverty Bay) district. Out of; some 70,000 acres (mainly bush) available foe leasehold, 30,000 acres have now been taken