SURVEY OF COALFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16671, 16 October 1917, Page 4

SURVEY OF COALFIELDS.

WORK IN SOUTH WAIKATO. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] _ WELLINGTON, Monday.' The report of the geological survey branch of the Mines Department was presented to Parliament to-night. Dealing with .coalfield surveys, tie director states :-" With regard to the To Kuiti district, it may be observed that the geological evidence of a workable coalfield being present is scanty and disappointing. The district, however, forms only a small part of a laree area extending northward to Drury and southwards to Ohura, in which coalbearing rocks occur here and there, but not continuously. In most cases the possible coal seams are hidden by young rocks. "Boring i ß< therefore, necessary if "the hidden coal is to be discovered, but I have to state that only systematic exploration on a.aire scale -is likely to bo-of any use At Euntly in the Waikato, rZ Waitewhenain North Taranaki, whTre workable coal is already known, few blank bore holes need be drilled, but in the intervening area it may be necessary to drill dozens of hoes before the presence or absence-of workable coal can be definitely ascertained." \ : .