STATE COAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 101, 29 April 1913, Page 5

STATE COAL.

* THE NEW MINE. --— y~[ (Py Telegrapa.—Own Correspondent.) ~ WELLINGTON, this day. The new State coal mine at Point Elizabeth. Greynioutu, has just reached the output stage. A moderate quantity of unscreened coal is being mined there, though the bins have not been completed, and the screening plant has to be put up. This latrst extension of, State raining has been planned on a big scale, the arrangements providing for a daily output of 2.000 tons. which will •be , reached within n year. Over 500 men will be employed. They are gradually transferring from the old State mines. One of these, the Seddonville, has only two years' coal supply available. It is ■to be worked so long as ie profitable. The Point Elizabeth No. 1 mine hao been worked in two sections, but the Mines Department having found the No. 1 section unpayable is transferring the men to the new mine. As the latter is at a considerable height above sea-level it is anticipated that most of the men will prefer to live nt the more sheltered township of Runanga. The Government intends to provide facilities for quick transit between Runanga and the new miii:-. ?o that the municipality, which depends entirely on the State mines for its prosperity, will not be prejudiced by the development of No. 2 mine. It is expected that the public opening will t:il<e place at the enn of June, and I understand that the official title -No. 2 Mine -, is to give place to a name loss formal. Analysis allows that the coal from the new mine ie excellent for steam and gas purposes, and it is capable ot being worked more easily than *t the .old mince.