NORTHERN COAL MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 220, 17 September 1929, Page 16

NORTHERN COAL MINES.

KAWAKAWA PROSPECTS DIM.

WORK AT KIRIPAKA. GOOD RESULTS AT AVOCA.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this day.

Prospects for development.of the coalfield at Kawakawa appear for the time being to be dim. A good workable seam was discovered a little distance out of town towards Ruapekapeka, adjacent to the new Government road, and for a time the mine was successfully worked on the co-operative scheme by a band of miners who supplied, among other places, the Auckland Freezing Company's works at Moerewa. There was also a suggestion that hoppers be established at Opua for bunkering overseas vessels loading meat. This aspect was fully exploited by the Bay of Island's Harbour Board, which had in view the future possibilities of Opua as a bunkering port. However, about a year ago the supplies from Kawakawa stopped, and this was said to be partly dissenion among employees. The industry in the north next received a severe blow by the death of Mr.'Hall, chairman of the company, which had been formed. At present there is no activity whatever on the field.

Coal is being worked in payable quantities at Kiripaka, where two small parties are operating, and ,a prospector is now occupied in an endeavour to locate the main seam. When the Public Works Department has completed the road to Ngi'' ,isru, upon which work was commencni this week, it should he possible to lessen transportation costs of both fire clay and coal from Kiripaka. A number of miners from Whaugarei district are also engaged at Avoca, Northern Wairoa, where considerable success has been met with.

While the Hikurangi Coal Company's mine remains flooded there i 6 a good deal of unemployment in the industry locally, but Wilsons collieries have provided work for a number, who divide what is offering among themselves. Some are trying their fortunes working small deposits, and others are engaged on relief work, including construction of the Kiripaka-Ngunguru Road.