THE COAL QUESTION.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 29 September 1858, Page 2

THE COAL QUESTION.

To thb Editor of the 'Nelson Examiner.'

Sib — I am glad to see that the question of coal for fuel and steam purposes is engaging the attention of the Nelson public ; and their thanks are due to you for the practical remarks you have from time to time expressed in your paper respecting its very great importance to the province. Every one seems to be satisfied that nothing would conduce more to stimulate trade and industry than the possession of a plentifully and constantly supplied local depot of that mineral, and more particularly at the present time, which, as you have very properly expressed, would no doubt settle the question as to the arrival and departure of the inter-colonial and provincial steamers expected shortly on our coasts.

Our efforts at coal mining hitherto have been o a very small scale, occasioned, I presume, by the small amount of capital employed, and, as a matter of course, has not paid the proprietors engaged in it ; and I am afraid any local efforts we may attempt will be too feeble to accomplish the end we should all like to arrive at. Mining is necessarily a hazardous pursuit, and capital here is scanty ; besides, what there is can be more safely invested in other ways, and I doubt very much if we can get up, locally, a sum large enough to work a mine efficiently; and to attempt mining with Bmall means, the chances are a hundred to one that it will end in total loss and disappointment. If these premises are correct, our next eifort should be to give every encouragement to induce foreign capital to do what we ourselves are unable to accomplish: we shall be certain, at all events, of the indirect benefits.

I think, sir, it would be a legitimate subject for our Provincial Government to consider the expediency of not only offering every facility in leasing coal-fields on Crown Lands, bufc also to be prepared to offer & handsome bonus to any party or company' who would undertake to supply the steamers now daily expected with a sufficiency of fuel for steam purposes. The Melbourne Government are offering a premium of a thousand pounds for the discovery of a workable coal* field, thereby showing the estimation, in which it. is held by them, in a provincial point of view ; and I think the presumption is, that our neighbours in Wei- - lington, at the present time, would bid a high price for the same commodity in^he vicinity of the "Empire City;" even our canny friends in Otago have authorized a preliminary expenditure of five hundred pounds from the provincial chest, to try a coal seam which crops out in the district. Any reasonable bonus which might be awarded in this way, if it had the effect of developing a coal-field sufficient for steam purposes, would be the best productive capital everpaid from the provincial treasury. Besides, sir, it would be refreshing to see the steam up in Barrack-square. But, I suppose, an application of this nature would be met in the usual way — " No funds ; the Council have not voted any supplies for , such a purpose." But, sir, I venture to say, if an award given for the general benefit of the province i* judicious and well-timed, if such was not provided for in the last Appropriation Aot, it would n6 doubt be voted in the next, together with the best thanks of the Council for anticipating their wishes. Yours, <fee, A Coal Vieweb.

To THE EdITO* OF THB * NSLSON EXAIONIB.'

Sir— At the meeting held the other evening respecting Mr. Jenkins's Coal Mine, there were some gentlemen who gave an opinion respecting the coal which had been raised; stating that it was "unfit for steam purposes." I would humbly suggest that they were then giving their opinion upon a coal of which they knew absolutely nothing ; for the coal which has hitherto been sent into Kelson was raised a few feet only from the surface, and in ft totally

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distinct part of the raino to that in which the coal set forth by Mr. Jenkins as good .steam coal would bo worked. It was also stated by one gentleman that he had known a shaft cost £30,000, and then prove \ entirely useless. I beg leave to state for the informa- i tion of that gentleman and the public, that I will undertake to sink a shaft and secure it fit for an eugine of one hundred horse power to work in, and cut a good eeam of coal as well for the half of one thoutand pounds. So that it will be seen that Mr. Jenkins's mine will not require any large amount of capital to work it. There is one general law laid down to govern the geologist as well as the practical miner, but I should like to know whether that law extends to New Zealand, where the whole country is so much broken and disturbed ? If so, I should wish to lay before the public, the mode of searching for coal in the part of England where I acquired my small amount of experience. In searching for coal in any country its concomitant rocks must be looked for, especially the carboniferous or mountain limestone— known by its organic fossils, likewise the outcrop of the millstone grit and the newer red sandstone, among some rifts or facades of which, seams of coal may be discerned, but no assurance of coal can be had without boring or sinking. Skill in boring judiciously for coal distinguishes the practical miner from the unpractical adventurer, who, ignorant of the general "structure of the coal basin, expends time, labour, and money at random and to no purpose, missing the proper coal field, and leading his employers to sink a shaft where no productive seam can be had. A skilful miner therefore should always direct the boring operations, especially in an unexplored country, and not simply waste his tune in an office in town.

At Mr. Jenkins's coal field, there is the existence of coil proved beyond all doubt, and that of a quality superior to any yet disovered in New Zealand. There is another advantage at Mr. Jenkins's, above any other mine in this province— that is, that the public can go out and easily judge for themselves as to the means readily available for making the mine pay, and pay well, to all those who adventure their capital therein ; this they cannot do with any other mine without much loss of time and money, and therefore they must depend upon the periodical reports of Mr. this or that, as they may be from time to time circulated among them. I might enlarge much upon the prospects of Mr. Jenkins's mine, but I think it not at all necessary. 'If it be carried on in a workmanlike manner, in the space of six weeks or two months it will speak volumes for itself, and raise itself far more highly in public estimation than it would were Mr. Jenkins or myself to preach about it for twelve months. I have been informed, that, in the opinion of some gentlemen, a scientific miner should examine the mine. I think so too. And, should such a person be in or near Nelson, would readily arrange to consult with him either at the mine or in Nelson.

Should a company be formed, it would of course be the paramount duty of the directors to give the management and working of the mine only into the hands of such person who would possess their entire confidence ; and not to squander money upon opinions of people who know little of coal-mining, or at least who could not suggest any good, sure, and economical means for the development of the mine. Yours, &c., John Mabsdes.

TO THB EDITOB OP THE ' NILSON EXAMINEE.' Sib — Will you be good enough to give our postmaster a hint, to ask the mail-contractor for Waimea South how is it, if he cannot cross the river on the regular post-days, owing to a fresh, that he cannot either do so the next, when it is passable, and thus let us have our letters as soon as possible, instead of waiting a whole week for our correspondence —as his pay, I believe, does not, like the Chinese doctor's, cea3o in fine weather ? I am, &c., A Subsceibeb. Nelson, September 28.