A GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 2

A GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION.

1 ESTABLISHMENT OF COAL ; .DEPOTS.,

■- Apropos of the above...protest a "Post" representative questioned Mr T. H. Hamer, Tinder-Secretary for Mines. Mr Hamer said that the Government realised the position of affairs at Seddonville, and was doing ; all it could to improve matters, recognising that business had not been as good as, had been hoped for; but this was en-, tirely due to the disappointing quality, of the coal produced at the mine... Theerection of the briquette plant recent-1 ly^imported from England was ; being |- proceeded with now, and there would be increased employment afforded as soon as the plant was in working or-' der, -for.it would then be profitable to. deal with the large quantities of slack coal that under present conditions could not be utilised. At present there were experiments being made with the coal from the Seddonyille mine with _ a view to, enlarging its scope of suitability, arid it was confi-. dently hoped that a better state of: things would come into existence before long. As a matter of fact, there were certain proposals now before Cabinet which were likely to effect material improvement in 'the develop-, ment of that coalfield: ... The first State Coal-mine Depot will;' start business on the Ist April, at' Wellington.. Mr Gasquoine, with; large experience, has been appointed distributing- agent, with supervision ■.; of depots to be opened at other places. : Suitable ''land-. has* been secured at ■ Christchurch, Where operations.jsH be * in full swing before winter sets in.. - Three up-to-date diamond drills have been ordered, the largest having ■ a boring capacity up to 2500 ft, and^ the smallest with a boring-capacity df- f 1000 ft. s The largest^ drill is intended for boring in localities easy of. access, by good road; the others can be con-. yeyed to rougher country for prospect- , ing purposes. An expert will accom?. pany the drills, which will be. hired - out, and probably count an assistance towards prospecting.