FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD The following extracts from the New Zealand Helald -of October 17, 1882: The contractor for the railway reclamation is busily engaged in making preparations for the commencement of his contract. He is getting on the ground the necessary plant and piles for the bridge at the opening of the intake. Mechanics' Bay. An order has been given to an Auckland firm for the construction of 100 ballast waggons. The Railway Department is making the necessary crossings on the railway lines, so that shortly we may expect a fair start made on tiie reclamation. A discovery indicating the probable existence of an extensive coalfield in close proximity to the city has been made within tne last few days. A purchaser of several allotments at Avondale lias made the discovery of an extensive bed of lignite of good quality upon his property, and another of the investors, while digging a well upon the section purchased by him, cut a seam 12ft. thick, at a distance of about 50ft. from the surface. The two finds were made at. the extreme opposite ends of the estate, showing that the bed must, be an extensive one. The importance of this discovery in such cjose proximity to the city is obvious, ana l iis to be hoped that now such unmistakable indications of the existence of coat have been brought to fight the whole trict will be thoroutrhly tested.