COAL RESOURCES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 260, 1 August 1939, Page 6

COAL RESOURCES

Lecture To Institute Of \ Chemistry An interesting lecture on the coal resources of the Dominion was recently given to members of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry by Mr. W. G. Hughson, M.Sc., A.1.C., A.N.Z.1.C., chief chemist to the coal survey committee of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The lecturer outlined the quantity and tyipe of coal to lie found in the various coalfields of New Zealand, and gave figures showing that the railways, gas companies, dairy factories, and shipping consumed more than 50 per cent, of the annual production, of approximately 2.250,000 tons. Since 1932 the amount of coal imported bad been approximately 100,000 tons annually, 70 per cent, of which was used in gas production. Mr. Hughson referred iu greater detail to the methods adopted by both field and laboratory staffs in pursuance of the present physical and chemical survey of the coal resources of New Zealand. The field staff had been working in the Greymouth and Westport areas, and had recently concentrated on proving the reserves of coal suitable for the production of metallurgical coke in connexion with the proposed iron and steel industry. Reliable seam and section samples were analysed completely in the laboratory. The lecturer elaborated the methods by which a' coal is assayed to indicate its value for such purposes as steam-raising, gas production and the making of metallurgical coke. Numerous slides were shown, including aerial photos of part of the Greymouth area.