THE BROKEN RIVER COAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13109, 24 April 1903, Page 6

THE BROKEN RIVER COAL.

•■•.,» -,MR T. H. DAVEY'S DEPRESSIONS. • Mr T. H. Davcy, M.H.R., who was on© of the party of legielatprs that visited the Midland Railway recently, and who return- f ed to Christchurc]) .on Wednesday evening, was greatly impressed with the coal at Broken River. To all outward appearances, he says, there is an enormous quantity of coal on the field. It shows in all directions, and one of the faces is about 14ft by 10ft at least He describes ic as bright, hard coal, and has tried a sample, which, he found, burnt excellently. He brought back with. him from 301 bto 401 bof the fuel. Mr Cloudfisley, the lessee of the liicd, has promised to send him a further lot later on. He is ablo to express an opinion only in reference to what appeared on the surface,. and speaks without expert* knowledge; but ho is strongly in favour of the Government appointing a special commission to inquire into the. matter, to obtain expert advice, and to make a. thorough, test. "Tha field is within fifty-four miles ■ of ChristVhurch, and is a mils. and a quarter from the line- of route," he says, " and if it is as good as anticipated, a great boon will bo conferred on Canterbury, north and south." The Hon C. J. Moran, of Western Aus* tralia, was nuich impressed with what he saw, and took away a. sample, and Messrs Lewis arid Witty 'are also of opinion that a thorough inquiry should be made to test tho extent and quality of the coaL