WORK FOR ALL LABOUR IN HIKURANGI

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1937, Page 6

WORK FOR ALL LABOUR IN HIKURANGI

New Coalfield Said To Be Promising

“We have encountered difficulties usually incidental to the opening up of a new mine, and which are by no means insurmountable,” said Mr L. J. Stevens, chairman of directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company, in an interview given to the “Northern Advocate” today.

“The company is in production, but the main seam of coal is still a matter of a few feet below the workings,” Mr Stevens continued. On present indications, the coal measures which the new. mine was intended to develop should be reached within a few days. From then on, production should show a relative improvement week by week.

At present, the maximum number of men allowed by the regulations are employed in the mine, and, immediately a proper ventilation system is provided, work should be found for all available labour in Hikurangi.

“Reports on the coal now being won furnished by users show it to be equal in quality to the best ever mined at Hikurangi, and a keen demand for available supplies already exists,” Mr Stevens stated. “On the basis of boring tests, the coal measures appear to be lying at a very easy grade, which will allow of speedy production and more economical working.”

Little Water as Yet.

When questioned concerning possible water troubles Mr Stevens said that, so far in the new workings, only a fraction of the water previously encountered in Hikurangi mining enterprises had been encountered. Although further water might be Rencountered when the coal measures were tapped, adequate pumping plant was at hand to' combat a flow, even if of cohsiderable magnitude, which was not expected. “The promise so far in this connection,” Mr Stevens' commented,” is highly favourable. Really, in the workings so far, we have experienced an infinitesimal quantity of water.”