AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 621, 20 October 1858, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

The discovery of a coal field in this province calls for more than the passing notice we gave it in a former publication. From Auckland journals we learn that several seams of coal, varying in thickness from 3 to 9 feet, have been found in the Qnehunga and Hunua districts. From the ' Southern Cross' of the 2 Lth ultimo we take the following extracts from a letter to that paper Ly Mr. King: The discoveries of coal in the Humia were very simply brought to light by a meeting of a few- settlers at Papakura. and forming a committee to practically test and follow up thu report as to the existence of coal in tl-l- Ilmvaa The result of one day's labour far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of every person engaged in the search.

The coal discoveries which have taken place are more important than may be at first imagined.

Ist. A large amount of capital will be kept in the province which is annually sent away for imported coal.

2nd. Nothing could tend to promote steam communication more effectually than being in a position to supply coals at a moderate price. The failure of steam hitherto in New Zealand i.-, mainly to be attributed to the enormous cost o: coal.

3rd. Coal will be likely to prove the forerunner of other sources of wealth to the province. We shall be enabled to smelt iron and copper in close proximity to the coal beds.

The committee who were appointed to carry ont the coal and limestone exploration were exceedingly well satisfied with the reward of their day's labour on Mr. Campbell's land, by opening a seam of coal seven feet thick, with every indication of its extending a considerable distance-, but the more recent discoveries, which have been made on llr. Farmer's land, are beyond all expectations even of the most sanguine kind. I believe such a discovery of coal, to such an extent, and so near the surface, is unparalleled in the history of coal discovery. The seam that is being worked is about nine feet thick, composed of four layers,—the top layer beiflg purely bright and equal to jet. The layers of coal are intermixed with the same number of layers of shale, from one inch to four inche? in 'depth. Immediately under the seam of coal is a beautiful layer of fine clay, winch lam informed is valuble. On the top of the seam it is somewhat different to Mr. Campbell's, being purely yellow clay; while on the top of Mr. Campbell's seam there is a sandstone easiiy crusted and similar in appearance to silver sand.

The seam of coal on Mr. Farmer's land dips ■within about two points of east; within 200 yards from where the coal is at present bein^ worked, there is a fall of water of about 12 feet high running over a solid mass of coal, and extending to all appearance a considerable distance.

Rarely in England have seams of coal been found of. ■ half the thickness of that found in Mr. Farmer's land: and when we reflect how much of England's wealth has sprung from her coal mines, may we not hope from this discovery and others which are likely to be made of our own mineral deposits. thas.JKfew Zealand may become in manufactures and commerce, what she has often been pronounced to be— Ihorisrh as yet prematurely —tlie Great Britain of"the South?

The coal has been rpsred in various wars, and in each has resulted satisfactorily-. First it was tried in an open grate, and it was said to burn brightly, ami give a good heat, though rather more difficult to ignite than English coal. Its gas-yielding properties have been trie*} by several parties with uniform success. -5tT had been tried at a forge for welding purposes, on two pieces of inch-square bar iron, and made a clean and neat joint. - Two tons of the coal were sent to the chief engineer of the White Swan for trial, and after the experiment Mr. Trail wrote as follow? .—

Manukau Harbour. Sept 22nd, ISSS

Having received a small quantity of the newly discovered Auckland Coal for the purpose of trying its qualities. I, after having obtained from "them sufficient steam for working the vessel, have no hesitation in saying that they are much superior to that produced irom Nelson, and that I should feel perfectly satisfied ii they were the only coals supplied for a sea voyage ; also I can assert that it did not take more coal to get the steam up than usual. (Signed) James Trail. Chief Engineer of S.S. White Swan. This testimony was so satisfactory that Mr. Kirkwood, owner of the vessel, immediately ordered a hundred tons of the coal at 30s. per ton. If we take the price of Newcastle coal at £3 per ton (a low figure) the saving to Mr. Kirkwood on this one purchase will amount to a considerable sum. But we are told that a very little outlay on a tramway to facilitate the transit of the coal would enable the owners of the mine to realise a fair profit on a tariff of 20s. per ton. With such evidence of the quality of the coal, of the extent to which it is found, and its comparative nearness to a shipping port, we must concede to this discovery an. importance at present incalculable.