A NEW COAL MINE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 122, 24 May 1920, Page 2

A NEW COAL MINE

«9> In view of the high cost of coal, and Ihe difficulty in obtaining snpolies, it will be of "interest to householders 1 ta leiivn that several prominent Wellington hi.'siuess men are taking steps to form a company to connect up the Cluuleslon coal deposit with ths railway to Westport. Preparatory to moving in the matter, the coal arsa has been systematically prospected by the sinking of shafts and i/i'ies, proving the scan: to be of an average thickness of over 24ft, over an nrufi ol 262 acres, estimated to contain over 3,000,000 tons of coaJ. H is described as a superior lignii.e, and is said to be a splendid household coal. The central portion of the Dominion has al ways baen at a. disadvantage as compared with the North and South, inasmuch as 'lignite coal is only mined in the Ota go and Auckland provinces. It is stated that the outstanding feature of Charleston coal is the cheapness by which it will be won. The seam lies practically upon the surface, and the few feet of overburden will be sluiced away, and the coal will be worked upon an open face, similar to an ordinary quarry. It is claimed that all the expensive methods necessary to work ' other underground coal mines will be absent, and such being tlie case, the prospect of obtaining in the near future snnplies of household coal at a more moderate price will,, bo welcomed.