COAL.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 47, 25 April 1846, Page 2

COAL.

Now that H. M. War Steamers are likely to ibe permanently stationed in New Zealand, as part of the naval force, at the disposal arid command of the Governor, it becomes, more than ever, an object of importance, that the supply of Coal for such vessels, should be’the ! product of the colony., Lately,' there have been 1500 Tons of, this mineral contracted for in Sydney, to be delivered in Auckland; for Her. Majesty’s service; and which will Occasion an expenditure of above £2OOO forth© ’ government of this colony; but, which, being 1 ,!paid out 8f it, will not 'in : native'pbpuratioir or tEuropeah^iset^era.^® l^4^ I On the Middle there is abundance bf Coal, at Massacreißay; but as vessels of some size are required to cany the material any dissea, persons could not compete from such source, with the colleries of Newcastle, in New : South Wales, Where they have the aid Of' machinery for shipment. At Matakaha, there is Coal; hut although sp near to Auckland, we' believe it will reqiiire some considerable outlay, in sinking shafts, &c., before'the product of mineral can he great and constant. In the river Mokau, about forty miles north of Taranaki, on the west coast, Co.al can be obtained, in abundance, from the very banks of the river, about thirty miles from the mouth, and which is a good harbour, but sea carriage will he required from such source to supply steamers, whose depots would, of course, be at : the principal settlements. ; It will be recollected, that last year soirip natives from brought inib Auckland several baslt’ets of Coal, which they stated existed, in great quantities, on the banks of that river. We understand) that the AttorneyGeneral, in his recent excursion into the interior, visited the spot -whence this Coal was procured;; and we rejoice to . state, that aa Auckland progresses .in prosperity, regular, abundant .supplies could be bbtained,-r-if tho communication was, in some, degree, improved, ■: —and at a cheap rate, The locality is a place; v called Kaikote, on the river Waikato, between the Church Missionary station, Tihoro, and the. confluence of the Waipa and Waikato ; and not- > above seventy-five. milesfrom ,, Auckland, by the f route which travellers pursue into, the inte* -,i riot; but, of Course, that would not beJ.the fjina p] for carriage bf.the material. Thbre is a mountain of Coal Within < yards from the banks of.'the driver; > and’the mineral can he dug out from the sides, and run down, to the ; river without 1 difficulty, and at little expense. If the was united to the Awaroa, barges,' Jioldihg'imany tons, 1 could come: directs from this Goal field to OnCunga, by Watching the tjdes;-rih one day, ahd if navigated •by | natives accustomed to the Waikato, theiretum >' would not-be long. However, although ■ the" existence of this valuable mineral may not bepfor some years, available to the inhabitants of Auckland ; yet, it is a matter of great importance, looking to the settlement peans on-the-pastorai plains of the Waikato.and the Waipav.i ; Therexmust.be anrextensiveGoal' field,—ah'd Xthe natives confirm it,?4inithat district, and perhaps the bed on the banks of the Mokau'is part of this Coal series ;: therefore, olie of the'greatest drawbacks to this set-. ' tlement in districts deficient of Wood, is removed by this discovery; and the future- settlers in: that beautiful part of the island, can rely on cheap inexhaustible -supply of, fuel for.r.theiis domestic wants and comforts#: .. :. a v J