THE NORTHERN COALFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4484, 28 March 1876, Page 3

THE NORTHERN COALFIELDS.

The Wlutngarei Comet has the following on the merits of the different coals in the North :—" We stated in onr last issue that it was rumoured that the Kamo coal had not come up to expectation as a ' steam coal.' The rumour, we learn, was justified, inasmuch as the single test was concerned. The steamer Argyle tested it against the Kawakawa article on her trip to Eussell last week, and the result was in favonr of Kawakawa coal. The one steamed a ton in five hours, while the other steamed six and ahalf hours. The comparison is ten to thirteen, and admitting the inferiority of the Kamo coal, for argument's sake, we still contend for the success of the local mine over Kawakawa, perforce of the difference in price between the two coals. That, however, is not of such vital importance as may be supposed, because there are very few consumers who will .use f 'a cheap and inferior coal when they can"bl>tain a superior article at, of course, a higher rate> The test made by. the Argyle we do not accept as definitelysettling the quality of the Kamo coal for obvious and sufficient reasons. Even'allowing that it does not steam well on board the Wangarei steamer, part of the fault may be in the construction of the steamer's -furnaces and boiler. The Wnau Whau tramway will be completed this week, and the Company will be in a position to send down 40 or 50 tons coal per diem to the shoot. We are glad to know that a number of orders for the article are on hand, and that the coal is in fair demand. Mr. J. Coutts, one of the pioneers of the Kamo mine, is at present at the Thames endeavouring to form a company to -work the mine. There is every probability of his being successful. The prospects are very encouraging, "ana that- the. concern would pay handsome dividends there can be little doubt. The extent of the coal area is beyond question, as it is proved already to be over 100 acres., A company with £5000 or £10,000 capital could thoroughly develop the coal and lime in that neighbourhood."