GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1379, 9 April 1867, Page 3

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE WEST COAST.

[Froa the "Grey River Argus," April 2.] Tffe arc indebted to the courtesy of j) T Hector, and his assistant Mr Hackett, for the following information relative to the geological survey of this portion of the West Coast:— Dγ Hector arrived three weeks ago, after visiting the Nelson coalfield, and the diggings at Fox's and the Pakihi. In Dr Hector's opinion the latter goldfield is but the initial point of a wide range of auriferous discovery, as he is convinced by the geological indications of the district that the auriferous area will extend up to the mouth of the Buller river. This opinion appears to be borne out by the partial discoveries that have been made between the two points indicated, as although there are only a few detached parties of miners working between the Pakihi and the Buller the results of their researches have been sufficient to warrant the belief that a wide extent of gold-bearing territory remains open to the labor of the gold seeker. From Greymouth Dγ Hector has made several trips in the neighborhood, examining Port Elizabeth, where numerous rare fossils were found, which were of the greatest value in leading to a correct estimate of the geological age and formation of the etrata in that locality. The Doctor also visited Canoe Creek and the Seventeenmile Beach, where gold discoveries of promise have lately been made. He considers that the line of terraces ■which forms the diggings at these places will be found to continue at nearly the same altitude for a considerable distance, and that the miners will ultimately find a continuous lead. The coal seams of the Grey Eiver naturally occupied Dr Hector's attention. He has minutely examined the seams on both sides of the river, and has returned with a very sanguine opinion of the nature and extent of the coal resources of the district. Indeed it would be almost impossible to exaggerate the ideas Dr Hector entertains concerning the Grey coalfield. Not only is the coal of the very finest and best quality, but its supply is practically unlimited. He tells ua that almost every quality that could be desired is to be found in the Grey coal—and especially does the Doctor coneider it suitable for the purposes of eteam navigation. A high standard of steam creating power, combined with a minimum of waste in burning, seem to constitute the Grey coal as about the best that can be used by ocean steamers. Dr. Hector regards the Grey coal as the ne plus ultra of fuel for the Panama boats —the only question being its supply at the port of call at a price which will compete with that of the New South Wales or British coal. Dr. Hector devoted epecial attention to the coal seam up the Grey ; he has thoroughly examined and " dialed " or made an underground survey of it, and the result of his examination is in the highest degree favorable. The seam on the Nelson side of the river varies from eighteen feet to twenty-three feet in thickness, extending over several hundred acres which can be easily worked, " level free"—that is to say the whole of this area is above the water level, and from which several million tone of coal can be raised. The seam consists entirely of solid coal without "headers" or "cutters," or joints which usually exist in coal seams. The floor and roof of the mine consist of very compact sandstone, so that there is little danger of accident from the ground falling in. Fire damp, the great source of accident in English tt»nes, is hardly known to exist, so that one very serious impediment is entirely obviated. The coal is extracted on the " pillar and stall" principle, powder being used in working tne upper portion of the seam. The coal is removed from the workings to the entrance of the mine by means of an iron tramway. At the mouth of the mine it is tipped into a screen, and then falls into the barges waiting to receive it. The same seam extends to the Canterbury side of the river, where it has .-always been supposed to " dip," but it is very doubtful if this is really the caseotUut is certain that the Canterbury portion of the seam presents greater difficulties iv working than that on the jNelson side. Comparing the facilities |or working which exist in each case, H seems to us that the Canterbury government will commit an error if it Places so high a value on its coalfield "s to cause it to encumber the working °J the seam by unnecessary restrictions. To ensure anything like a fair rivalry between the two sources of supRv, it will be requisite for the Canter, oury authorities to be exceedingly "oeral i a any conditions that may b"e a Ppended to the lease of the coalfield.

Dr. Hector's examination of this district embraced also Coal Creek, which appears not to have been inaptly named, as the same formation as exists at the Nelson or Brunner mine (for Mr Brunner first discovered it) was found there. The coal partially crops out near Point Elizabeth. In the neighborhood of Black Ball creek the same seam is also found, and samples of the coal have been sent to the geological analyist for examination and comparison. Mr Hackett has made a full report regarding these coal deposits, which has been forwarded to the Government. The Little Grey (Mawheratiti) has also been visited by Dr. Hector, who has been up to the head of that river, j The whole of that district he describes as being a basin filled with a system of terraces very much resembling those well known to many of our readers in Otago—for instance, the Maniototo and Manuherikia plains; the only difference being that the Little Grey basin is clothed with forest, which renders its outline less distinct. He finds a marked difference in the nature of the drift or gravel composing these terraces, from which the comparative age of the drift, and the direction of the rivers which brought it down, can be distinctly estimated. Many of our readers will have noticed the difference n the nature of the gold from different localities in this neighborhood, and probably marked the difference in price given by the Banks. Dr. Hector has made out that these two classes of gold have originated from two distinct series of rocks, unequal in age, composition, and physical character —the gold from the slate rock being large, whilst the other is invariably small. Several boxes of interesting specimens of rocks, &c, have been sent to Wellington for comparison with those of Europe, and more.particularly with those from other parts of New Zealand. Judging from the examination Dr. Hector has been enabled to make, he is strongly of opinion that gold will yet be discovered in payable quantities in the North Island. He finds the same classes of rock, and in each case indications which lead to the almost certain opinion that the auriferous resources of the colony are not confined to the Middle Island. As to the origin of the beach diggings, Dr Hector starts the theory that the auriferous beaches and terraces are in reality the beds of old rivers. A glance at the map will show that all the important streams have their course north and south, and it is supposed that at some former time the line which now forms the seabeach was much further inland, and through which rapid rivers bearing auriferous drift had their course. It is satisfactory to know that the opinion of Dr. Hector is highly favorable as to the extent of the auriferous area of the Grey district. If his opinions are correct, there appears to be little occasion for fearing that the goldfields of this district will not exist for many years to come.