THE COAL FIELDS.

New Zealander, Volume XX, Issue 2080, 2 April 1864, Page 6

THE COAL FIELDS.

(From the Onehunga Warden, March 19.) During the last few days a fresh discovery of coal has been made near the Bay of Islands. It is said to be of excellent quality, and near the surface. Our mineral resources are gradually coming to light, though more as the result of accident than of careful search. The onward advance of our military forces through the Waikato made a similar discovery previously, and under circumstances which made its utilization a matter of great service and convenience. The situation of these discovered treasures is remarkably fortutious, little dreamed of as their existence was previously. In the one case in addition to its proximity to some proposed centres of industrial activity, it furnished an acceptable coaling station to a portion of our □aval steam force, and in the other, in addition to being within a very moderate distance from an important sea port, it transforms a barren piece of land into one of great value for perhaps many years to come. The trite old maxim holds good, no doubt, “ There’s a divinity which shapes our ends, Reugh hew them as we may.” For we do not see how else to account for the frequently fortituous and happy combination of events. We leave it to others to decide whether of the two assertions “ Coal Fields follow close upon the heels of industry ” or “ Industry chooses the neighbourhood of coal-fields for the bulk of her operations,” is correct. But at a glance at the Geological maps of the countries of Europe and America Will show that for the most part coal fields underlie districts most favourably situated for the operations of certain branches of industrial aud of commercial life. Witness, for example, the principal seats of the iron trade and of manufactures. It would therefore not be unwarrantable to assume that some busy scenes of varied labour will by and by appear in the neighbourhood of our local coal fields. Economically the existence of coal in accessible situations is of considerable importance. As a resource for domestic fuel it is a mutter of no small value. Wood for almost all purposes we have in abundance it is true. But in proportion to the demand the sources whence firewood is obtainable would gradually recede in any case, but -in addition, adjacent lands covered with ti-tree have been cleared and are being cleared without any reference to the firewood market. They will be no more clothed with bush or forest. The trees too of primeval forests are tender of the hand of man. and it is rare that growth survives the blow of the axe. Hence, though there be no reason to fear the resources will be exhausted for generations to come, the increasing distance will always involve a high price for wood fuel. But this is only one side of the question. There are the demands of trade and manufacture. Past experience would prevent us from demurring to the statement, that no countrv can become great in manufactures and commerce if it cannot command coal. The application of steam is now becoming so general, and the prospect of bringing to light and utilizing more of our mineral resources is becoming so imminent, that the possibility of obtaining native coal, cannot be otherwise than acceptable. We predict that, as a,matter of course, native coal wherever found will have to encounter a great deal of prejudice. We are prepared to admit, because we expect it, that the quality will vary, but we are rather chary of John Bull prejudices. It is the fashion with some to decry everything but the true English material. Green spectacles make everything, even coal, appear green, and the question is not how nearly the coal of New Zealand resembles that of the Tyne districts, but whether it answers the purpose of fuel satisfactorily. Practically that is everything. A little extra waste, provided its power for generating heat is sufficient, is of little consequence. We do not expect to find this outcropping native coal (o resemble the sea-born coal of England. So far as we know the geological formation in which it is found is not the same. The coal of New Zealand hitherto discovered appears to he a species of lignite, but very nearly approximate to coal. It is probable that which underlies the upper strata will be found to be of better quality. The announcement of the two last discoveries was unaccompanied by any description of the adjacent strata. Such description is desirable in the case of all such discoveries, but it is not to be expected that every observer would regard the outcropping of a seam of coal from a scientific point of view. Still it is desirable to know whether it occurs in the tertiary strata or in the coal formation of the secondary. As a geological fact the, discovery is of great interest. It will be long before we have anything like a full geological survey of the country, but everything that may assist in the diffusion of knowledge respecting it by sending specimens which detailed descriptions to our museums and the press, should be done.

We would recommend the public not to be too hasty in concluding against the native article, even should it be found at first not everything that could be desired. It is probably that as the seam is worked the coal will improve, that that underlying will be better than that which crops out. I'ore discoveries will be made yet, and those persons who have represented this country as being, rich in mineral resources will not want vouchers for the correctness of their judgment. We would also suggest to coal merchants and coal comM^a h j s ft low’as “prlcricable. ° Their competition is not with English and Australian coal so much as with firewood. The price of the latter has risen very much of late, and if coal approached it more nearly in price many would prefer it to wood. The difference of eighteen shillings between the station on the Great South Road and delivery in Auckland and Parnell looks a great deal, so of ten shillings per ton between Onehunga and the above places. We do not say it is exorbitant but great facilities must exist before the consumption of coal will be readily adopted, whether in Auckland or Onehunga.