COLLINGWOOD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 50

COLLINGWOOD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Kuramea dredge has not y®t succeeded in getting to work again. Since the big flood that stranded her there has only been one sufficient to float her off and then a floating tree interfered with the lines and the fresh subsided before it could be got off. It is understood that the last wash up of the Slate River Sluicing Company was a satisfactory one, and that the prospects are encouraging. There was a narrow escape from a serious accident on this claim when the manager and a wprkman were in the tunnel an accumulation of water in the claim suddenly burst through washing both men out on to the tailing drop, which fortunately was not very high. The manager had hie ankle sprained and both men were considerably bruised and out about. . The Pakawau Coal Mine is being opened again by a Wellington Syndicate, who have probably got a very good speculation as coal of a very good character was obtained from this mine when worked a few years ago, when want of capital for the necessary work caused the then proprietors to stop working. There is but little doubt that the whole of Golden Bay is a large coal field, and of good quality. With such a splendid harbour and good central position the coal should be worth the attention of capitalists. Dr Bell, the Government Geologist, paid a flying. visit to the district, and although he bad only time to glance at it he saw enough to convince him that such a harbour with the largest and best iron deposit in the world and a seven foot seam of good coal being worked within a few miles of it, had a future prospest that few places have. Both the iron and the coal are within two miles of deep water. We have gold but we have better than any goldfield and I think such was Dr Bell's opinion. The weather is now frosty, and fine. We have really only had a few weeks of sloppy weather, really nothing to grumble The frivolous strike at the Pupongo mine ended by the men giving in. There was nothing to warrant the proceedings but there are always some restless spirits who are never contented and who lead, others astray.