REPORT OF THE SURVEY OF THE COAL FIELD AT PAKAWAU. To the Directors of the Nelson Mining Company.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 796, 19 March 1853, Page 3

REPORT OF THE SURVEY OF THE COAL FIELD AT PAKAWAU. To the Directors of the Nelson Mining Company.

Gentlemen. — On my arriving at Pakawau, I immediately proceeded up the river to seek for the coal said to be there. When about three quarters of a mile from entering the bu»h, I there Saw the coal from which a quantity had been dig ; it presented a very bold and flattering appearance. But as I considered it necessary to bate further proofs of it« quality and extent, I bad a little opening mada at C on the sketch ; but finding it not to turn oat so well, and not having th« proper means of saining any great length, I caused it to be left off /or a while, and came farther east to A on the sketch, aud there I did not find it so good aa at D, the farthest west point of trial. I had a mine worked in this opening A to the extent of 25 feet, but had to abandon it for want of the proper means for mining, although I did dot consider we g»ve4t a* fair trial in that place owing to the reaion above ' stated. Under these circumstances I could not advise to proceed with a fitting op for operations until satisfied on these points, whatever the other (acilities may be, and they are certainly very gieat, as the lines on the sketch will show, In ratking tie opening at A 1 had two objects in view, first to prove the quality of the coal and, s econdly, it would serve as a level for drainage in giving i fitting sufficient to work until a deeper fiuimjfewoiild be ready. The former fitting would five au area of 8 acres, 20 roods, 15 yards, after deductiog a quarter for pillars and waste, the remainder would product 29,603 tons, aoij at this opening it would shorten the rsilway by 504 yards. But •{ace laying down this plan for working, 1 have thought whether the deeper fitting could pot be gone into at once, I have seen that the coal continues to stretch into the first hill on the sketch, and if it proves of 5 good Quality a fitting could be made at once on a level with the mud flat, this would give an additional area of coal of 33 acres, 3 roods, 450 yards, producing 163,800 tons, making a total of 193,403 tons of level free coal, that is, which can be wrought without the aid ot machinery, and at this fitting it would cut off other 616 yards of the railway, leaving a remainder to come along the flat of 1,075 yards. This Coal averages about 2 feet 9 in. in thickness, it is very hard, and from that cause and the want of experienced miners it will be rather expensive working it. I could not estimate it at less than 7s. a ton for digging, and Is. 6d. a too for incidental expenses, making a total of Bs. tw^ per tqn at the pit's mouth, until miners could be obtained. I may here say that a more favourable opportunity of fitting- up a colliery to the same extent never came under my notice in the case of succeeding in the proposed plan (and there is no doubt of it if the coal proves true) ; it would require a capital of not more than £600 in getting the coal ready for shipping, and a better place than Pakawau river has not appeared to me on that coast. The shallowest place in the channel » & feet 6 in. to 4 feet deep (aa the tides may vary) »t h water neap tides. I have observed •the difference ben.««o tb« ffring-aiul-»*ap tides to bemora-thaa 3 feet 6 in. ; bui by running a about 300 yards there would be 3 feet mote making the water in the channel 6 feet 6 in. in neap tides at high water. I have not been able to discover any other seam of a workable thickness ; several thin seams laying under the Coal are to be seen st different places mixed with slaty clay, indurated day, and sandatone bands of various thickness, all making a total of 30 feet under the Coal. Next in succession is a conglomerate rock to an undefinable depth, which extends from the sh6re at Pakawau aloog to Pabponga and across to Wangaoui. The hills at Taumetia appear to be of mica clay mixed with very hard portions, passing into a red conglomerate very much impregnated with the oxide of iron. On purpose to obtain as much information as I cdnld, 1 have not confined myself to the district pointed out in the tracing, but have explored some bills and gullies to a wider extent with a view to find other seams of coal than that at Pakawau. There is cosl to be found at Wangaoui, bat 1 am •not prepared to report on it.

Id conclusion it may be remarked that Coal is also found at Motupipi, and a seam of coal is to be seen tbere which has not been tried* It also preseDts some natural advantages over other places, such as the flatness of the surface and a good harbour for small vessels. I would big leave to add that a perfect description, or correct calculation, may not be expected, as where thert are roads and fields to point out the boundaries, and the eye can glance it once at all that is wanted to be planned. ' Pakatfaa is a hilly district ; the hills vary in form, some ridged, others round, and a few conical topped, the acclivities are generally very steep, not many cliffs occur, and of what do, they are neither very high nor of great extent, with the exception of Pahponga and Wanganui, where the cliffs are very high. Both hills and gulKes are densely wooded. Under these circumstances, I would leave myself in your clemency for any error or neglect I may have fallen into. , Yours most respectfully, &c, (Signed) JAMES STODDART. Nelson, January 29, 1853.