NEW RAILWAY AND MINE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 19

NEW RAILWAY AND MINE.

MOUNT SOMERS ENTERPRISE. OFFICIAL OPENING YESTERDAY. Even in a time of depression sufficient faith in the future exists among business men and in some localities to justify the launching of new projects, as has been shown by the Mount Somers district, which celebrated a red letter day yesterday with the opening of the Blackburn Coal Company's mine and the standard gauge railway, which has been constructed for a distance of nearly nine miles from the Mount Somers township to within less than 30 chains of the coal seams. Residents had gathered from far and near, and the school was closed for the day, the trip by train to the pit-head taking the place of the annual excursion. After the cutting of the ribbon stretched across the line and the driving of the company's locomotive through the opening along the first few yards of track, speeches were delivered conveying good wishes for the success of the venture. Those present were then the guests of • the company at luncheon. Excursion to Colliery. Later the engine, with waggons attached, made two trips to the foot of the mine jig line, carrying thither at least 200 people to the point where they could reach the mine on foot. Illustrating the mineral wealth of the district, sections of narrow gauge line join the new railway at various jjoints, and quarries, mines, and limestone and silica deposits are seen on either side. If conditions favourable for the exploitation of all this wealth some day arise, this valley may support a very large number of people. The mine is 3200 feet above sealevel, and the jig line climbs 500 feet in 27 chains. On both sides of the hill which is so rich with coal, surface prospecting drives have been made, disclosing the seam at no great depth in places. At two points timbering has been completed up to the face, and coal is being produced. The seam is nearly four feet in thickness, which obviously increases as the distance from the surface becomes greater. It is a high-grade brown coal with which there is very little slack, and should command a good market for household purposes.

Operating Plans. When production is commenced in earnest, men will be employed, and the number will be increased as trade warrants. The product will reach the sidings below the mine in hopper trucks, which will be emptied over si.aker screens into railway waggons. No bins will be constructed. A special motor rail carriage is being constructed in Invercargill for the conveyance of the workmen from Mount Somers to the mine. Silica deposits are also being operated by the company, and later it may give its attention to the great strata of limestone, much of which was proved many years ago by Government test to consist of practically pure calcium carl>onate. With the uicrcashig demand for Inne in connexion with top-dressing piactices, its exploitation on an economic basis is possible. Unlike the deposits in North Canterbury, thfs lime only a mile or two at most from the railway. Mr G. Tinker, managing director of the company, has been outraged in mining operations in the Nightcaps district. His brother, Mr H. Tinker, m the engineer in charge. The directors are Messrs E. Gates, H. E Cook„ and K. S. Wilding. The land is held on lease from the Government. None of the coal in the immediate vicinity has ever been worked before. Apologies for absence received included those from the Hon. W. A. VeJteh, Minister for Railways, and Mr D. Jones, M.P. Cutting the Ribbon. Miss Gates, daughter of Mr E. Gates, one of the proprietors, cut the ribbon i.nd declared the lino open, and Mr Gates drove the locomotive along the first few yards of track. Mr T. I). Burnett. M.P. for Temuka, the electorate in which the railway and mine are situated, said h© wanted them to realise that the district was part of New Zealand —God's own country—and that the Dominion was in ri;tlier a sick state at present, but they could rejoice at the enterprise shown by the Blackburn Coal Company. What it had done was better than any functions they might hold, and better than any Unemployment Act. The best way to help to get rid of unemployment was to help private, enterprise. The Government had attempted some measure of relief, and in his opinion had made an unholy mess of it. The primary industries had been hit very hard, tut that was through no fault of the people of New Zealand, being due to the slump in the world market. "We ore gathered to-day," said Mr Burnett, "to witness the inauguration of an enterprise to give the people the benefit of one of nature's resources—coal —and help must be given to the new industry.

' 'Encourage Employment.'' "One of the main requirements for success," said Mr Burnett, "is a good measure of support from the people of the surrounding districts. It is ea-sy to foresee a time—perhaps next winter—when 50 to 100 men will be employed. Employment must be encouraged in every way possible. One of the obligations of property at this time is to retain men in service, and it is also the duty of employees to increase their efforts so as to justify their retention." With this combination of capital and labour, the country would pull through. It had done so before, when times were as bad. Even the line for which the standard track had now been substituted had been put through in the hungry days of the early 'SO's, when the construction workers were paid 3s per day. "We have faith in the future, and the Dominion is going to win through/' he said. "I wish this company every success, not only from the point of view of private enterprise, but because it will give employment." Capital amounting to £2-5,000 was involved, which meant a great deal to the district, and it would help to keep the Fine open to Ashburton. People had to think out a way of co-operating to-day. The insatiable domands for the country's products had passed, and it was only by goodwill and by people helping one another that the Dominion's prosperity would be restored. "This is a venture in the true interests of national development and progress."* concluded Mr Burnett.

District's Great Resources. Mr H. C. B. Withell (chairman of the Ashburton County Council), said nature had provided the district with great resources, T>ut tKe problem had been to get these things out to the people. The railway had been built m ISB7, but it had been found necessary to bring it up to date. Its original ccst had been £3600, the rate at first being 7{d per ton per mile. He congratulated the company on the progress and enterprise it had shown. Mr John Brown, who has resided in the district .for 48 years, said that in that time he had seen many changes. A I had known of the resources of the gorge, and Mr Gates had the apprecia-

tion of the people in the enterprise. Mrs Brown had travelled up the gorge in a dray, and the greatest ambition of many of the pioneers to see the railwav constructed had now been realised. Mr T. Miller, another very old resident also wished the company success. Mr G. Tinker said the capital for the company had been found privately, the chief subscribers being Mr Gates and Tinker Brothers. No appeal had

been made to the public, bat when the company was a paying concern, they might be invited to come in. "We appreciate very much, the assistance of the County Council and the Railway Department," said Mr Tinker. About 26 men had already been kept in employment for over a year. It was estimated that 6,000,000 tons of coal was in sight. Afi the residents were about to dis-

perse, Mr Burnett eelled for fbref cheers for the company, which werjs heartily given. "U has done hb well and brought tis home safe and sound. ' he said.